BETTA FISH HAMMOCK
A betta fish is a group of small, brightly colored fish, with ray fins, originating from southeast Asia.
They have a labyrinth organ which helps them take in oxygen from the environment and they also possess gills that enable them to take in oxygen from water. They are capable of surviving outside water for a short while. Most betta fishes are used as pets.
A betta hammock is an artificial flat surface under water that helps your betta relax.
It serves the same purpose a hammock serves for humans.
There are a few artificial hammocks in the market. Betta hammocks are attached to the glass of an aquarium using a suction cup.
They are kept at a 90 degrees angle, not too far from the surface of the water.
It is not advisable to place your hammock near your filter outflow or close to your heater. There?s a bit of current around your filter area, due to the water movement and betta fishes cannot relax where there is a strong current.
Betta fishes are also tropical creatures and so they love environments with constant temperatures. Your betta will still make use of its hammock if it is placed close to the heater, but its fins could be damaged if it comes in contact with the heater.
Betta fishes love their hammock and are happy to spend hours close to the surface of the water.
They can sleep in unexpected places and providing a hammock for your betta ensures that your fish has a comfortable place to rest. A hammock also helps the betta have easy access to oxygen.
This is because the hammocks are placed close to the surface. So, if your betta is in need of oxygen, all it has to do is raise its head and take in air.
Gulping for air is perfectly normal in bettas and if your betta is big-finned, you really need a betta hammock.
Big finned bettas find it hard to swim to the surface for air and stay there, but a hammock makes it easier for your big finned fish to have access to oxygen whenever it needs it.
Betta hammocks are very portable and betta friendly, but make sure it is properly cleaned before it is installed in your aquarium to avoid contamination.
Hammocks do not take up much space, they are easy to clean, and when you have to clean your aquarium it doesn?t pose any hassle. Betta hammocks pose no danger to bettas and as long as you keep it clean, you have nothing to worry about.
While cleaning your hammock, always check for signs of deterioration.
A lot of leafy hammocks have wires that help them stay in shape when these hammocks start to deteriorate, they rust and if there?s an opening, the iron can protrude and harm your beta.
Once you notice any signs of deterioration, please throw the hammock away immediately and get a new one for the safety of your betta.
Sometimes, some betta owners buy hammocks and notice that their bettas do not use it. This is pretty common, and a few things could be responsible.
Remember we said bettas do not like places with strong currents, now this might be the reason your betta does not make use of its hammock.
Properly check the position of your hammock and be sure it?s not in an area with a strong current. Bettas also do not like lights on at night.
They prefer dark places during their nightly relaxation. If your lights are always on, your betta might think the hammock is some sort of shade and might proceed to use it as a shade from the light at night. Apart from current and light, your betta might not like the position of its hammock.
This is a pretty tricky one, but with continuous experimentation, you?ll realize your betta?s favorite position.
Sometimes your betta might not know what the hammock is used for and that might be the reason it isn?t using it. This might sound ridiculous, but it is, in fact, the truth.
A good way to know if that?s the reason your betta isn?t using the hammock is to place some food on the hammock.
Nothing works better than the old-fashioned method of luring animals with food. If you?ve done all of the above, but your betta isn?t still making use of its a hammock, there might be a problem with your betta.
There are tons of alternatives to a hammock.
If you feel like it?s a waste of money or you just don?t believe in using one, here are a few alternatives you can try.
The Indian almond leave, floating logs, natural or synthetic plants, and tall aquarium ornaments.
You could place tall ornaments in your aquarium and your betta could use the top of the ornaments as a relaxation spot. There are commercially produced floating logs specially designed for bettas.
Not only do these logs not sink, but they also have a hole, where your bettas can relax in. You could also have natural plants or synthetic aquarium plants in your aquarium.
These are also appreciated by bettas but be sure to place plants of varying heights. Indian almond leaves, also known as Catappa leaves are an excellent choice when dried.
When using almond leaves, it is important to constantly check for deterioration, because as these leaves wilt, they release tannins into the water and these tannins turn the water yellow.
This doesn?t really have any health effects on the betta since it doesn?t poison or contaminate the water, but most people do not like it for aesthetic purposes.
If you are still not satisfied, you could also make your own hammock or relaxation spot for your betta.
There are tons of DIY (do it yourself) pins on Pinterest and you?d be amazed by the level of creativity some people possess.
An example of this is the use of Styrofoam cups
This is usually used to provide a secure place for a male to build a bubble nest. The cut is cut in two equal parts lengthwise and placed at the surface of the water in such a way that the convex portion is above the water. You can also use this as a hammock for your betta. All you must do is turn the cup so that most of it stays under the water.
Betta hammocks are certainly not mandatory, but we can?t deny the fact that our bettas love having a good relaxation spot. If you are worried about the money, don?t be, because betta hammocks cost little to nothing.
An artificial leafy hammock costs less than $20. Do not deprive your bettas of this wonderful invention. We wish you and your bettas the very best.
SOURCES
www.fishlab.com
www.nippyfish.net
