It’s common for Betta keepers to check their tanks first thing in the morning. Betta fish keepers’ worst nightmare is seeing their fish jump out of the tank and not noticing until it’s too late. This blog talks about why betta fish jump out of the tank and the easy steps to prevent them. Let’s get into the detail
How high can betta fish jump?
Two to three inches above the surface of the water is the average height a Betta fish can reach. This is helpful information for Betta keepers to plan their tank setup accordingly to prevent jumping. It’s a good idea to keep the fish tank water 2 to 3 inches below the tank top to keep the fish from jumping out. I find female fish to be more adventurous than males. In general, female fish have shorter fins and swim faster. This also helps them jump higher. So if you have a bunch of female Betta fish in your aquarium, you must cover the tank with a lid.
Why Do Betta Fish Jump Out Of Their Tanks?
There are numerous reasons Betta fish can jump out of a tank. Here are some common reasons why your Betta fish might jump out of their tank.
Small tank size
You might have heard that betta fish can live in small tanks. It is not true. Smaller tanks are also the most common reason for betta fish to jump out of the tank. A more spacious tank will give your betta fish a better life. Ammonia levels will skyrocket quickly in smaller tanks which is very dangerous for your betta fish’s health.
Poor water conditions
Poor water quality in the tank could be one of the major reasons your Betta fish is jumping out. Aquarium water gets dirty after a few days based on your tank setup. If the water is not changed regularly, it becomes harmful to your Betta fish. If your Betta fish don’t like such poor water conditions, they may jump out of the aquarium. You can keep your tank’s water quality high by cleaning it regularly.
Poor sleep cycle
Just like humans, Betta fish have a sleep cycle that’s crucial to their health. A bad sleep cycle can make your fish frustrated and restless. This affects his eating habits too since he doesn’t know when to stay awake and when to fall asleep. Sleep is critical for your fish because it gives it enough rest and keeps it stress-free. You can improve their sleep cycle by keeping the tank’s lighting right and not disturbing them at night.
Something interesting outside the tank
If your Betta fish discovers that flies are hovering around, it is likely to jump and try to catch them. This is uncommon behavior but it could be one of the reasons your fish is jumping out of the tank. Betta fish are known for trying anything they see as food. Betta fish are also often scared by sudden noises or unexpected activity around the tank that makes them jump out of the tank.
Bully fishes in your tank
Don’t make the mistake of putting two male Betta fish together. They may just kill each other with their aggression. Also don’t ever consider fish such as fin nippers like tiger barb, and large predatory fish which are dangerous for betta fish. If you have any bully fish in your tank, your betta fish may get stressed and look for a way to escape by jumping. See the bully fish blog on my channel to avoid them.
Cold water
Betta fish prefer a temperature between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit in their tank. It’s common to see betta fish jump out of their tanks when the temperature is low. So, keeping the tank temperature at the right level is critical for betta fish.
How do you prevent Betta from jumping out?
It’s easy to stop betta fish from jumping out of their tanks by keeping your tank environment healthy and safe by following a few steps.
Right aquarium setup
Keep your Betta fish tank size optimal for your fish. Betta fish tanks should be a minimum of 5 gallons, but bigger is always better. Betta fishes are habitual to tropical environments so keep the water neither too cold nor too hot.
Heater and filter
Don’t forget a heater in your aquarium. This will keep Betta healthy and happy. Install a heating device and maintain a specific water temperature. This helps prevent Betta from jumping. The ideal temperature should be between 78 and 82 degrees. Also, a filter will keep the tank clean by absorbing all waste and dirt.
Add a lid to the tank – Prevent Betta Fish Jump
Aquarium lids are one of the most common solutions for countering betta fish jumping. Several stylish aquariums with lids are available. You can also try a homemade lid in case you don’t like any lids available on the market. Maintain the water level of your aquarium below 3 inches from the topmost surface. This is a safe limit to maintain even when the aquarium has a tight lid on it.
Plants and accessories
Add some aquatic plants to reduce ammonia and nitrates. This would also give the fish a sense of security. You can also purchase live plants that can float on the water’s surface. The plants will act as an obstacle to jump over. It is healthy to keep plants with your betta in an aquarium. It can help to reduce the tendency of betta fish to jump out of the water.
Keep the water clean – Prevent Betta Fish Jump
Always conduct water tests to check if it’s clean or not. Be sure to check for ammonia, pH, and other chemicals such as nitrite. Regularly remove food waste and fish waste from the tank to keep it healthy. Don’t forget to clean your tank regularly as this will reduce the jumping habit of Betta fish. Cleaning will also keep all the chemicals under control. It’ll keep the betta fish healthy and stable and stop them from jumping out.
Say No to ammonia
Make sure there is no ammonia present in your tank. Ammonia slowly destroys the scales, gill plates, and fins of your betta fish. Another harmful chemical is Nitrite which prevents oxygen from getting outside the blood. Your betta fish gets sick most of the time because of nitrite and ammonia in the tank.
Hiding Places in the Tank – Prevent Betta Fish Jump
Betta fishes love hiding places, whether they’re under a leaf or in a cave. They like resting on the plants or decorating inside the aquarium. Plants also keep the water clean. This may sound like something small to you but helps Betts fish to stay safe and not go jumping around out of the water.
Take care of the lighting – Prevent Betta Fish Jump
Pay attention to your aquarium’s lighting. Lighting also affects Betta fish. Try and give at least 8 hours a day of light to Betta so he gets time to rest for the remaining hours. Lighting is also critical for keeping a positive circadian rhythm.
How to Save Bettas After Jumping Out of the Tank?
In case your betta jumps out of his tank, you’ll need to act quickly to keep him alive. It’s best to put him back in his tank right away if you catch him early enough. At this point, it’s not uncommon for your betta to just lay on the bottom of the tank. If he isn’t improving after 10 to 15 minutes, he might be having difficulty breathing because his gills have dried up. If this is the case then you should add some aquarium salt and start the treatment to improve his gill function.
Hope you find this blog helpful and get some ideas to prevent your Betta fish from jumping. Check this blog, if you want to know more insights on this betta fish jumping topic. Also, comment below, in case of any further questions.
