A modular filter for a submersible pump that has a filter housing with an integrally formed pump coupling that telescopically receives pail of a housing of the pump and a filter chamber defined by a pair of spaced apart perforate sidewalls having filter media disposed therebetween. The perforate filter chamber defining sidewalls are opposed to one another with one of the perforate sidewalls defining a first intake grate inline with an intake of the pump and the other one of the perforate sidewalls defining at least one second intake grate that can function as a bypass should the filter media inline with the first intake grate become plugged. In a preferred embodiment, the other one of the perforate sidewalls includes a filtrate grate adjoining the at least one second intake grate. In a preferred embodiment, the other one of the sidewalls has a pair of spaced apart second intake grates outboard of the pump intake that are generally coplanar with the filtrate grate. A preferred pump coupling of the filter extends outwardly defining a pump-receiving socket that telescopically receives part of the pump housing enclosing the pump intake disposing the pump intake inline with the first intake grate. In a preferred embodiment, the pump coupling includes a locator arrangement such as a locator arrangement formed of a locator edge and locator notch or arcuate recess that respectively seat against outwardly extending features of the pump housing, such as one or more suction cups or cup mounts and/or the pump outlet or discharge tube. The pump coupling can also include a plurality of latches that releasably engage part of the pump housing to help keep the filter securely mounted to the pump.