Weird...

[lyssymae]

Hi everyone, I'm new, so please speak slowly and carefully . I have one male betta fish in a 5.5 gallon tank with a heater and filter, and feed him three pellets in the morning and three at night. As of lately, I've been noticing this weird filmy stuff that develops on the surface of the water. When I drag my finger through it, I get white stuff all over my finger. It doesn't seem to be affecting my fish, but it looks nasty and I'd rather not have it in there. Any ideas on what it is and how to get rid of it?

[Bettanewbie60]

Originally Posted by lyssymae

Hi everyone, I'm new, so please speak slowly and carefully . I have one male betta fish in a 5.5 gallon tank with a heater and filter, and feed him three pellets in the morning and three at night. As of lately, I've been noticing this weird filmy stuff that develops on the surface of the water. When I drag my finger through it, I get white stuff all over my finger. It doesn't seem to be affecting my fish, but it looks nasty and I'd rather not have it in there. Any ideas on what it is and how to get rid of it?

How often are you changing the water, and how much of it are you taking out each time?

[toad]

It may be a bacterial bloom? How long has he been in the tank?

I had that nasty film at one point, as well - was told it was a bacterial bloom, and it went away all by itself. Now the water is crystal clear. Weird.

[Xiuhcoati]

Hello and welcome to the forum! You have a great set up there and a very lucky betta.

I am sure you will receive many useful responses to your question. I only know a little bit myself, but I have had a problem similar in the past. In my case the white film turned out to be protein on the surface. It was caused by the food I fed.

I still sometimes get protein on the surface, and solved the matter by cleaning the surface with a cup, and doing a water change after feeding something I know will dirty tank water.

[LebronTheBetta]

Protein Film? Nah, you have a filter... Bacterial Blooms make the water cloudy, I'm sure it's not with the film. Picture, please?

[toad]

Originally Posted by LebronTheBetta

Bacterial Blooms make the water cloudy

Yes, my water was hideous looking. Could barely see the fish. But the film came and went with the cloudiness, so I thought they were connected....

[LebronTheBetta]

Hm... Was the film really obvious and was it slimy..? Might be heater snot. I really don't know what caused this..

[toad]

Originally Posted by LebronTheBetta

Might be heater snot.

What's heater snot?

[LebronTheBetta]

It's this gooey slime that some heaters emit. It's harmless, but... Ew.

[LebronTheBetta]

Here's a link. This is probably heater snot. EWW.