Fish not suited to open tanks(Jumpers)

Okay, I just thought of this now and its quite alarming.

I plan to keep a betta in the nano, but the issue is that bettas are nutorious tank jumpers.

What to do? Are there other fish that have the same tendancy and what can be done to curb this without spoiling the tank asthetics.

Fish safety is first though, so even if it looks like crap, as long as it keeps the fish safe.

I'm thinking some kind of rigid net over the tank?

 

a glass cover?

 

I have thought of that, but I've seen somebodys Fluval Edge and the condensation bubbles on the glass really spoils the look.
But... If you fill it up right onto the glass lid, it could look pretty awesome.

You might be onto something there.

 

I'd pay good money to see
a fat beta breech

 

I've had Harlequin Rasboras, Kuhli Loaches, Mollies, Platies, and Botine Loaches jump out of my tanks. I would love to get a list of non-jumpers as well!

 

Mollies, platies, swords are some off the worst and even if you have them covered they WILL find a gap, for the big fish, the bala shark has to take the cake, iv seen mine launch itself 50cm above the tank, my tinfoils used to knock my lid off.

 

African Butterflies can fly

Spiny eels also seem to find a way out of everything.

I have also had YOYO & Horseface loaches turn to biltong....

Cheers

Vince

ps NOW my tanks all have sliding glass or perspex lids (NOTE: perspex warps)

 

Only had bad experiences with a Kuhli Loach and pregnant Mollies. Haven't had any of my bettas jump though.

 

I simply cannot picture a betta jumping out with those long heavy drag inducing fins

 

One of my friend's dad found their eel dried up behind the tank after it jumped out to supposedly get away from their cichlid. I did not ask questions....

 

If you fill to the top that it touches the glass how will the betta breathe. That's if I understand it right

 

you are probably correct here, that does sound dangerous... anabantids breathe at the surface, not underwater like most fish.

 

Not exactly sure what kind of tank you have, but if it is a standard size tank you should be able to get a black plastic canopy for it.

 

swords

Only had experience with swords that jumps. my tanks have the black plastic hoods

 

yep, seen my bala's rocket launch themselves straight up in the air already, awesome sight to see but scary, tinfoils.. had one of them jump out of a 80L holding bucket, clean over a table, more than a meter!

but i havent had any of them jumping in a long time since then, only when they get excited for food they splash the water surface rather violently.. they greedy!

had a small polypterus that used to jump out of the main tank into my betta's tank, very wierd that. and the siamese fighter only used to jump for food.

 

You cant cover the betta tank like that, they will die if not allowed to breathe air, forgot to add i recently lost my lionfish and my mauritian goldie to tilesurfing antics and my friend once lost a red tail shark the same way and he found it by stepping on it barefoot......not pretty

 

I wouldn't recommend filling ANY tank right up to the lid for reasons previously mentioned. Glass sliders work well as they aren't an 'eye-sore', just be sure to leave sufficient space between the water surface and the glass lid.

 

You can always have a pump running with air line out of the water but below the glass. This should supply some much needed air for the bettas.

Bettas can take in water through their gills too. They can survive under water but it is recommended to have them breath air.

Regards

TM

 

Hatchets are a no-no too, I had one that jumped through the feeding hole in the lid!

 

Perfect Escapism