Betta Acting Funny

[junosama]

Ok so the rainbow fish was still able to get INSIDE the filter even after covering up the holes! Totally freaked me out. I'm not sure what is going on hes crazy like my betta.

I came up with a solution i hope will work. I had a little silk fish tank plant and i put it inside the filter with the leaves hanging down to block any chance of him jumping up inside. He seems to be attracted to the flowing water so the plant breaks it up a bit. The water can still flow down and it doesnt look horrible either lol.

I will not let this one commit suicide! Man these fish are making me work hard, fish tanks are supposed to be relaxing!

 

[LadyDragon]

You could also baffle the filter... There are DIY instructions on YouTube for how to do it, basically a plastic water or soda bottle cut a certain way blocks the water exiting the filter making it less disruptive to the tank (or in your case, HOPEFULLY less of an amusement park ride for them)

I'd look for other reasons your fish may be looking at it, if you've got two different fish of different species trying the same thing then there may be some other factor you just aren't noticing... If it's NOT the water, look for other possibilities. Process of elimination til you find the most likely cause.

Also consider the fish's natural insincts and behaviors: Danios and Swordtails, koi, bala sharks etc LIKE to jump, faster and active natured fish also tend to enjoy jumping! Fish adapted to puddles and shallow slow water like Bettas and Killifish will jump to get to other water sources if theirs is unsuitable for whatever reason: whether it's lack of food, bad water quality, or trying to get away from a bully, etc. Any number of natural instincts...

My gold Dojo Loaches throw themselves out of the water before a heavy rain! They get so excited romping and playing that they launch themselves out of the tank... They are covered MOST of the time, but if it's about to get a passing shower while I'm feeding or cleaning, they do end up needing to be scooped off the floor! For them, it's situation normal and common to their species.

If my Bettas and then Mollies started it... Then I'd start looking at EVERYTHING that may be causing it, because for then it would be odd. Just open your mind to see if from the fishes point or view, based on what their natural behaviors are... It may be something else you just haven't considered?

 

[junosama]

What about water hardness? My test kit only does ph, high ph, nitrite, nitrate and ammonia. Maybe i should test the water hardness?

 

[junosama]

BTW lady dragon i just tried cutting up a water bottle and it worked perfect it makes the perfect blocker, i dont think hell be able to get past it even on the sides. Looks much better then the plants, thanks!