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Seeing some bubbles in your aquarium is quite normal and it can be quite a visual spectacle. But the question arises: Can having too many Bubbles in a Tank Kill Fish?
Well, the answer depends mostly on what exactly is causing those bubbles in the first place. Some sources of bubbles are harmless, while some can indeed kill your fish.
Moreover, some types of fish tolerate bubbles to a high degree, such as Guppies, platties, mollies, and goldfish. Other types of fish, such as Bettas, are quite averse to them.
So, the short answer, having excessive bubbles is not an ideal situation for your aquarium. In this article, we will first look at the various things that can cause bubbles in your fish tank, and then we will see how they can harm your fish. Finally, we will discuss How to Remove excess Bubbles in an Aquarium.
Let’s get started!
Is Excessive Bubbles Bad for Fish?
This is somewhat debated among aquarium enthusiasts. Some say that bubbles are pretty harmless, while others say that having too much of them is not a good thing.
What I would say is that it is fine as long as you don’t have a highly excessive amount of it.
Think of it this way, your fish uses gills to breathe, which takes in water. Having too many bubbles means fish will find it difficult to get a mouthful of water with each gulp, so they will struggle to breathe. It is similar to how you would struggle to breathe when water is splashing upon your face.
Moreover, some say that too many bubbles can stress fish as they collide with the bubbles.
In most cases, it is not the bubbles themselves that are harmful to your fish, but rather the source of those bubbles.
Many of the sources of bubbles are normal and quite harmless. So you don’t have to be necessarily alarmed every time you see bubbles coming off in your tank.
Still, you have to watch out for certain things that can cause bubbles that can harm, and even kill, your fish.
Harmless Sources of Bubbles in a Fish Tank
1. Air Pump / Air Filter
If you see bubbles coming off your air pump or air filter, it means your aquarium components are working exactly as intended. The bubbling effect creates an interface between air and water, allowing gases to be exchanged between the two mediums. Mainly what this does is oxygenate the water by dissolving oxygen into the water and exuding dissolved carbon dioxide into the air.
The bubbles created by this process will dissipate after a while and are not usually a concern.
2. Pearling
If you possess live plants in your aquarium, then they produce oxygen when they perform photosynthesis. This oxygen will form beautiful tiny bubbles on the leaf surface that resemble pearls (hence it’s called pearling), which grow in size until they float to the surface.
Again, this helps with the oxygenation of your water and will dissipate after it reaches the surface.
3. Bubblenest
Plants aren’t the only living beings that can create bubbles in your aquarium. The males of some fish species, such as Bettas and Gouramis, make nests out of bubbles that they blow out of their mouths. This is a mating ritual intended to impress their females.
Not only that, Bettas release bubbles simply by breathing. It is because they are a labyrinth fish that uses a special lung-like organ to survive low-oxygen environments. The bubbles they produce are harmless and you can ignore them.
4. Agitated Water
If you rough up the water, you will eventually end up with some bubbles. This commonly happens after a water change, when you fill the tank too carelessly. You can follow these methods to add water smoothly.
These bubbles also dissipate after a while, so it is not a cause for much concern.
Harmful Sources of Bubbles in a Fish Tank
1. Soap Bubbles
There are just a handful of things more harmful than soap to a fish. You can contaminate your fish tank simply by using a bucket or other equipment that has had contact with soap. Even in small amounts, it can kill your fish.
This is likely the case if you see rainbow sheen on the bubbles. Rainbow sheen can also be caused by biofilm released by organic waste, so you will have to figure out which.
2. Excess Ammonia
Excess ammonia can create foam on the water surface. As any astute aquarium owner would know, having too much ammonia can kill your fish, since ammonia is a toxic compound. Any amount greater than 0.25 ppm is not good news.
That is not the only worry: too much ammonia can stall nitrogen cycling in your tank, which causes toxic compounds to build up further in your aquarium.
3. Organic Waste
Your aquarium will inevitably collect organic waste over time, which is composed of fats and proteins. This comes in the form of fish food, fish feces, and dead fish and plants.
When this organic waste gets decomposed, it releases a biofilm to the surface. This sticky biofilm can create foam bubbles on the surface.
The foam itself is not a big issue, other than being smelly, but it signals that your aquarium is brimming with organic waste. When this gets decomposed the oxygen level in your tank drops, which is a dangerous situation for your fish.
How to Remove Excess Bubbles in an Aquarium
You can employ methods to remove excess bubbles depending on what causes them. In most cases, doing a water change will be effective. It can be a partial water change or a complete one. For instance, if you suspect soap behind the bubbles, it is wise to do a complete water change, as well as a complete cleaning of the gravel and other objects.
If you think the bubbles are caused by excess organic waste, you can remove whatever you can find in the tank, including excess food, fish dropping, and even dead fish/plants. Also, you can avoid overfeeding to prevent organic waste from accumulating in your tank.
If the source of the excess bubbles is your air pump, getting a stronger intake filter can help alleviate the issue. Also, if you have too many aeration components, it’s time to remove one or two to reduce the amount of bubbles.
Conclusion
I hope that answers your question: Can having too many Bubbles in a Tank Kill Fish?
More than the bubbles themselves, it is the source of those bubbles that can be harmful. Soap is dangerous, and so is excess ammonia. Organic waste, another source of bubbles, can decrease oxygen levels over time.
As long as you know what is causing the bubbles and take action to remove harmful substances, your aquarium will be fine. Thanks for reading.
https://www.britannica.com/animal/labyrinth-fish
https://www.petplace.com/article/fish/pet-care/small-pet-care/fish/bubbles-fish-tank-mean
