White Film/Slime in Fish bowl

Question
Hi.  We bought a Beta fish a few weeks ago.  At first there was a white film at the top of the large bowl.  We changed out all the water, cleaned the rocks and kept the fish in a small amount of the old water.  When we put the fish back in, the while slimy film re-appeared in a day.  The fish is in a nice large bowl, seems very friendly and happy, but the bowl isn't filtered (nor did we want that).  What's the deal?

Answer
Hi Cristina;

I've seen this before in a few bowl and tanks. No one I have talked to seems to know what it is or why it happens in some tanks and not others. It may be something naturally present in your tap water or coming from the food you feed him. I know it isn't what you signed up for but adding a filter or adding aeration from an air pump and air stone is the only way I've ever been able to get rid of it. It breaks up the surface and doesn't allow film to form on top.

You could also try getting a jug of spring water or some water from someone else's tap. Just don't use distilled water because it is missing important minerals your fish needs. Plain bottled spring water or tap is what your betta needs. Always use a water conditioner.

Good luck...

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins