Here’s a quick recap on what you should feed your betta fish:
- Betta fish pellets (the main part of the diet)
- Betta fish flakes (if your fish eats those, most betta fish aren’t fans and prefer pellets)
- Freeze-dried foods (e.g., brine shrimp, blood worms)
- Frozen foods (as an occasional treat)
- Live foods (if you want to grow your own)
How much and how often should I Feed my Betta?
What Do Betta Fish Eat?
- Flakes and Pellets. These are the most inexpensive options for feeding your betta fish. ...
- Freeze Dried Foods. Freeze dried food is sterile and requires no special instructions prior to feeding. ...
- Frozen Fresh Foods. Frozen fresh foods are most often mosquito larvae, mysis shrimp, blood worms, brine shrimp, or Tubifex worms. ...
- Live Foods. ...
How often do you need to feed a Betta?
Table of contents
- How much flakes should I feed my betta fish?
- Do betta fish need to eat everyday?
- How do I know if I’m feeding my betta fish enough?
- How much do you feed a betta fish daily?
- Can bettas eat too much?
- Why does my betta fish want to eat so much?
- How much flakes should I feed my betta?
- How many flakes should I feed my fish?
- Are flakes good for bettas?
What fish can go with a Betta?
What Fish Can Live With Male Bettas?
- Nerite Snails
- Otocinclus
- Most small Tetras & Rasboras
What fish is better a guppy or betta?
There are several points to take from this section:
- Female bettas are generally less aggressive than male bettas
- Having multiple bettas can lead to increased tensions between them
- Having multiple bettas will increase the risk that your guppies will get hunted down
What food can betta fish eat?
These options below are a betta's favorites:Live/Frozen Mosquito Larvae. A staple in their natural habitat, mosquito larvae are an excellent betta food option. ... Live/Frozen Brine Shrimp. ... Live/Frozen Bloodworms. ... Live/Frozen Wingless Fruit Flies. ... Live/Frozen Mysis Shrimp.
Do betta fish need to be feed everyday?
A common question we are asked, is “how often do you feed a betta fish?” Given their tropical nature, like most other warmer tanks, bettas need to be fed at least twice a day. This is especially important considering that many betta fish tend to be overfed, receiving large meals infrequently.
How often should you feed a betta?
How Often Do You Feed A Betta Fish? You should feed a betta fish two small feeds per day. Feeding your betta fish once in the morning and once at night every day is great. Making these feeds around 12 hours apart and at the same time, every day will help you and your betta get in a routine.
Do betta fishes get lonely?
Do They Get Lonely? Betta fish are naturally territorial and should not be housed with any other betta fish because they will fight and injure each other, often resulting in death. They are unlikely to get lonely in their tank; however, if they are in a small tank, they may get bored.
How can I tell if my betta is happy?
Effortless Swimming A happy betta will swim around their tank daily. Sometimes they will move almost lazily about, and other times they'll flit from side to side quickly. If the betta appears to have no trouble swimming and isn't leaning to the side or struggling, your betta is healthy and happy.
Do bettas like light?
Do Betta Fish like Light? Yes, they won't like anything too intense, but a standard aquarium light is perfect. Bettas also love aquarium plants, which need an aquarium light to grow and survive.
How long can a betta go without eating?
Betta fish can survive up to 10 days without food, however, this is not recommended! It is possible they may even survive a few more days than this, however, this is merely surviving and you are actually slowly starving your betta fish which can cause them to die easily.
Is it OK to feed betta once a day?
It is recommended to feed your betta fish two to four pellets, once or twice per day. Pellets expand when placed in water and are very filling for your betta fish. Freeze-dried or fresh food can be substituted for their pellet feeding 1 to 2 days per week.
How long can betta fish go without food?
Betta fish can survive up to 10 days without food, however, this is not recommended! It is possible they may even survive a few more days than this, however, this is merely surviving and you are actually slowly starving your betta fish which can cause them to die easily.
How many flakes should I feed my betta fish?
Additionally, if there are enough flakes being placed in the tank that the filter can become clogged, there are too many being fed to him, so he may simply not be able to eat them all. Bettas only require one to two pellets or flakes per meal, twice a day.
How often should I change my betta fish water?
But the short version is that small water changes of 10-20% once every 7-10 days are best for your betta's health. This is also assuming you are running a filter. You can also do water changes of 20-30% once every 2-3 weeks, but smaller water changes are better for stable water conditions!
How many mini pellets should I feed my betta?
You should feed your Betta fish between 2 and 4 pellets, once or twice each day. The size of each of the pellets should be no larger than the Betta fish's eyeball. Spread your Betta's feedings at least six hours apart throughout the day. Separating your fish's feeding times gives them enough time to digest their food.
What are betta pellets?
Actual betta pellets and flakes contain the correct level of nutrients for your betta fish. They are easy to portion to protect your fish from over and underfeeding. As special treats, your betta fish can enjoy high protein freeze-dried and frozen foods. These are things like brine shrimp and bloodworms.
How much does a betta fish pellet cost?
The cost of betta fish pellets and freeze-dried food can vary greatly by brand. Expect to pay between 4 and 8 dollars for a container of betta fish pellets. Your pet supplier may provide options for buying food in bulk. The two common concerns when it comes to feeding your betta fish are overeating or undereating.
How long can a betta fish live without eating?
What to do if your betta fish will not eat. Betta fish can survive for 14 days without eating. If your betta fish skips a meal or two, there is no need for immediate concern.
What happens if a betta fish doesn't eat?
Finally, as betta fish age, they will become less active and consume less food. If your betta fish still will not eat, they may be ill.
How to keep betta fish from overeating?
To prevent your betta fish from overeating, only feed your betta fish the recommended daily amount. Clean out excess food regularly with a net or a turkey baster. Some experts also recommend not feeding your betta fish for 1 day per week to allow their digestive system time to catch up. Pagination. 1.
What is a betta fish?
Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish , are known for their bright colors and beautiful fins. It’s important to provide your betta fish with a diet and environment suited to their needs. These are different from the needs of other common household fish.
Why is my betta fish not eating?
There are several reasons why your betta fish may not be eating. Stress from a recent water temperature change, tank cleaning, or significant environmental change, may cause a change in your betta fish's appetite as they adjust. The ideal water temperature for a betta fish is between 71 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
What do betta fish eat?
Brine shrimp provide Betta fish with lots of vital nutrients, including proteins and vitamins. In the wild, Betta fish prey on brine shrimp a lot, so it’s a wise idea to bring them to the tank water.
Why do bettas float in the water?
Constipation in Bettas may lead to swim bladder disorder. This condition makes it hard for your fish to balance in the water. Due to this, they may prefer to remain at the bottom of the tank or float near the surface of the water.
How to tell if a betta is constipated?
A constipated Betta will show signs such as bloating, spine curvature, bulged eyes, and stringy poop. Constipation can be dangerous to a Betta and may lead to death if not addressed promptly. If your fish is constipated, put them on a fast for a couple of days or more, depending on the severity of their condition.
What does an underfed betta fish look like?
An underfed Betta fish will look bony, with a head that appears larger than the rest of the body. Their sides will be concaved, and the fat usually stored near their tail will be absent.
What is the easiest fish to keep in an aquarium?
Bettas are some of the easiest pet fish to keep in a home aquarium. They’re easy to maintain, beautiful, and active. Despite their simple maintenance needs, it’s crucial that you find out everything there is to know about Betta fish feeding. The right food will keep your Betta happy and healthy.
How long can a betta fish go without food?
Don’t worry about starving them – a Betta can stay for up to two weeks without food! A one-day fast gives their digestive tract a break to process food fully. This practice can also help minimize the effects of overfeeding your Betta. Once the fast is over, you can go back to feeding your fish twice per day.
What happens if you overfeed a betta fish?
When you overfeed your Betta, it’s likely that some of the excess food will settle at the bottom of the aquarium. These particles will produce toxins and encourage the growth of bacteria as they break down, exposing your fish to diseases.
How to feed a betta fish?
To feed a betta fish, start by going to a pet store and getting specially made betta pellets. Try to get some brine shrimp, worms, or insects, too, since betta fish like variety! Be sure to soak the pellets and anything else that’s dried before you feed your fish so the food doesn’t expand in its stomach.
What do betta fish eat?
Feed it worms. Various species of small aquatic worms make up the core diet of betta fish in the wild. The most common worm for betta fish is the bloodworm, which comes live, freeze-dried, frozen, or in a gel, but these aren't very nutritious and are better used as treats.
What is the best worm to use for a dog?
Brine shrimp is a good option or glassworms (tubifex worms), but specially made betta pellets and gels are best. Live tubifex often carry parasites or bacteria, so they should be avoided. The best live worms to use are white worms, grindal worms, and black worms. These worms are available at most major pet stores.
How long can a betta fish go without food?
Remember to leave one day of fasting for your betta fish. It will suit its needs. It takes a betta about two weeks to starve to death, so if your fish doesn’t eat for a few days due to illness or adjusting to a new home, don’t panic. But you obviously should not test the limits of how long a betta can go without food!
How to feed a fish that is not eating all of its food?
2. Reduce if they aren’t eating it all. If your fish isn’t eating all of its food, reduce the amount you’re feeding them. If you usually feed four pellets per fish, try reducing to three for a while. If you notice the fish is eating very quickly, you can increase back to 4.
Can betta fish eat pellets?
Betta fish are carnivorous so they must be fed meat-based foods and shouldn’t be fed the dry, vegetable-based pellets that are fed to most tropical fish. By understanding the betta fish’s diet and learning how to feed it properly, you can keep your fish alive for a long time. Steps.
What insect can you use to feed fish?
You can use either live or frozen insects. The best options are Daphnia, also known as a water flea, and fruit flies. These insects will be available at most pet stores. Flightless fruit flies are often sold live in jars for reptile use but are also useful for feeding fish.
How to tell if your betta is constipated?
The most apparent symptom of constipation is a bloated stomach; it should only be swollen in the digestive area. This is easily seen by looking at the side and not from the top. Another sign will be if your betta is not passing food through their system.
What is the best food for betta fish?
Opossum shrimp or Mysis shrimp are excellent sources of fiber for betta fish and help with the digestion of their protein-rich foods. Their hard exoskeleton provides the little boost bettas need to help out their digestive system.
Why are betta fish so sensitive to food?
Unlike most other fish, bettas are very sensitive to eating and is the leading cause of dietary health issues. Typically, when betta fish are overfed, they suffer from digestive blockage or constipation.
How long can a betta not eat?
When your betta is suffering from constipation, they can typically recover by not eating for a day or two. It gives them the chance to clean out their system naturally without adding more blockage.
Can you feed betta fish flakes?
It is essential to feed your betta flakes made specifically for betta fish. You should never feed your betta regular tropical fish flakes because they do not have the amount of protein that a betta needs.
Can bettas eat pellets?
bettas are carnivores and should not be limited to eating only pellets or flakes; if they are – then they’re missing out. Feeding them live or frozen food that allows them to experience their natural (as close as possible) habitat and feeding experience will keep them healthy and happy.
Do betta fish like shrimp?
betta fish love brine shrimp; they are packed with all the nutrition that a betta fish needs even in such a small body. They have protein, vitamins, and amino acids that keep betta’s healthy.
Preparing to Feed Your Betta Fish
How much to feed your fish starts with what you should be feeding them. Being tropical fish, betta's metabolic needs require them to have higher calories in their diet.
How Much to Feed Your Betta Fish
Given the variation in pellet size in commercial diets, the best recommendation for betta fish feeding is to consider your fish's anatomy. For one meal, feed your betta the same amount of pellets that would theoretically be the size of one of its eyeballs.
How Often to Feed Your Betta Fish
Most tropical fish will spend their days foraging for food. They are not built to have large, infrequent meals, and bettas are no exception. It is best to feed your betta at least twice a day. If you have access to your aquarium throughout the day, three meals are also acceptable. Try to space them out equally.
How to Avoid Overfeeding
Overfeeding in bettas leads to a large, distended abdomen (coelomic cavity). You can see symptoms of lethargy and dropsy (bloating) as the internal organs are damaged.
What are baby pellets for betta fish?
Baby pellets are formulated specifically for feeding betta fish. The pellets contain all the vitamins and nutrients that your fish will need to stay healthy, and they contain a natural color-enhancing additive to make your betta even more stunning.
What is the best food for betta fish?
Mysis shrimp. Mysis shrimp, or opossum shrimp as they’re also known, is another really good food source for your betta fish. These shrimp have a hard exoskeleton that’s packed with fiber. The fiber helps the betta’s digestion of the protein-rich foods in his diet.
Why is my betta fish not eating?
Bettas are notoriously fussy eaters. So, if your betta fish doesn’t eat or seems uninterested in food, don’t be concerned. A poor appetite is often caused by stress. For example, if you’ve recently cleaned your betta’s tank, moved him to a new home, or introduced new tankmates.
How long can a betta fish live without food?
In fact, a wild betta can survive without food for up to 14 days, so a day or two missed won’t harm your fish. Be sure to remove any uneaten food from the bottom of the tank with a special tank vacuum or designated turkey baster. That will prevent the build-up of ammonia, which would damage your tank’s water quality.
What percentage of bettas are protein?
So, when buying any form of a pellet or flake food for your betta, always check the list of ingredients and make sure that the first few ingredients are meat-based, and the overall protein percentage is 40% or greater . As we mentioned previously, bettas are surface feeders.
What is betta fish?
Betta fish are great for amateur aquarists. These little swimming jewels make for beautiful fish– if taken care of properly. One of the first things you should figure out (aside from the set up) is how much to feed betta fish.
Can a betta eat too much food?
Feeding your betta too much food can lead to bloating, which could be fatal. Also, putting too much food into your betta’s tank will leave the excess uneaten, and it will sink to the bottom where it disappears into the substrate. Bettas are surface feeders and will not eat food from the bottom of their tank.
How Many Pellets To Feed A Baby Betta?
Baby Bettas (also called fries) need to eat a meal of pellets and fresh or freeze-dried food once or twice daily. Their meal should be full of adequate proteins and nutrients to help the fry grow. Similar to in adulthood, these pellets should be no larger than their eyes.
What Happens If You Overfeed Pellets To A Betta
Several negatives can come from overfeeding your Betta fish. These negative outcomes can include digestive issues, stomach expansion, and much worse.
Signs You Are Overfeeding
If there are pellets leftover at the top of your fish’s tank, that is a sign that your fish is not eating all their food. Leaving leftover food in their tank can be dangerous and lead to overeating or fatality.
How Do I Know If I Am Feeding My Betta Enough?
When there is no food left at the top of your tank, that is a direct sign that your Betta is consuming enough food. However, never continue feeding them until they are full. Bettas will eat as long as there is food in front of them. If you continue feeding them, they will continue eating.
Recap
Betta fish do not have large stomachs, so you must be considerate of how much you feed your fish. Feed an adult Betta only 2-4 food pellets, once or twice per day. Every fish has a varying diet, so you may adjust their feeding schedule to every other day if needed. When food begins to collect at the top of the water, avoid feeding them more.
