
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

How often should you feed a betta fish?
twice a dayA 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.
What do bettas naturally eat?
Bettas are carnivorous animals who, in nature, eat mostly insects and insect larvae. A diet consisting solely of plant roots may keep them alive for a while, but since it lacks the proper nutrients for this species, the fish eventually become sick and die.
Do bettas 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.
What makes betta fish happy?
3:5711:56Top 10 Tips To Make Your Betta Fish Happy - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNot just vadas almost all fish not only is brine shrimp great for your fish. But they also love itMoreNot just vadas almost all fish not only is brine shrimp great for your fish. But they also love it it's one of those foods that almost all fish will go crazy for.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Is betta fish good for an aquarium?
This article has been viewed 413,477 times. Betta fish are an excellent option for a home or office aquarium. They’re easy to take care of, they’re more active than most pet fish species, and they’re beautiful.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can bettas eat freeze dried food?
Freeze-dried bet ta food is a perfect way to maintain some of betta’s natural food into their diet, except it does not entirely replace feeding them live or frozen food. Freeze-dried food has the added benefit of being free of bacteria and deadly parasites.
Betta Fish Eggs in The First Few Days
Betta fish eggs typically hatch between 24 to 48 hours after the breeding pair spawn. The male will play a parental role in caring for the eggs by guarding the bubble nest against potential predators.
Preparing the Fry Nursery
If you have not yet created a nursery tank for the fry, it is a good idea to create one after they have hatched in the spawning tank. Another option is to remove the parents from the breeding tank and only keep the fry in the tank. The tank should have a small sponge filter and lots of live plants like hornwort, java moss, and other bushy plants.
Infusoria
This is the first type of liquid food betta fry can eat besides a runny egg yolk. This is a portion of good food for newly hatched fry because the small size of infusoria can easily be eaten by the fry. This should not become their primary source of food and they should only eat infusoria until their mouths are large enough to eat small particles.
Baby Brine Shrimp Nauplii
Once the betta fish fry has been fed egg yolk or infusoria for the first week, it is time to feed them a more protein-rich food that is slightly larger. Baby brine shrimp are a good food source that is high in meat-based protein and can easily be eaten by week-old fry.
Frozen and Freeze-Dried Foods
Once the fry has reached between 3 to 4 weeks of age, you can start to feed them frozen or freeze-dried foods. The food should be finely crushed using a blender until they form a powdered texture. Frozen foods should be thawed out overnight and then grounded into powder before feeding.
Commercial Betta Fish Fry Foods
If you feel that it is too confusing to deal with live cultures, you can purchase commercially created foods that are marketed as fish fry food if the fry is over a month old. These foods will typically come as micro pellets or in the form of a powder.
Foods to Avoid
Betta fish cannot digest plant matter well and this can lead to bloat. Bloating can also cause a delay in the digestion and absorption of protein foods which will cause your betta fry to grow slowly. Avoid feeding the betta fish fry algae or leaf matter.
