Many people feed their betta fish the wrong type of food or too much of the right food. Some foods can be eaten to improve betta health, and some foods are special treats that are not necessarily healthy but not incredibly harmful. This article will discuss what you should be feeding your betta, how often you should be feeding your betta, and common mistakes many first time betta owners make when feeding their new pet.
What Your Betta Should Not Be Eating
One of the most common mistakes people make when buying their betta fish is to feed them exclusively dried pellets or flaked. Although this isn’t entirely their fault, as often dried pellets and flakes marked “betta food” are sold right next to the shelf the betta fish are sitting on. In the same way that ½ gallon “betta tanks” are inappropriate homes, “betta food” can also be inadequate food.
So are pellets and flakes out of the question? Yes and no. Betta fish will in most cases not eat flakes. This is because flakes just aren’t very appetizing to betta fish, they don’t resemble the food they are naturally attracted to in either shape or smell. Pellets can be eaten by bettas, but they have a tendency of swelling up in water. The total amount of pellets you give your betta should be no larger than your betta’s eyeball after the pellets already swelled in the water. This usually equates to 2-3 betta pellets.
Remember- Overfeeding can cause health issues; swim bladder and constipation being the most common. Unfortunately, many feeding instructions say to feed your betta as much as he can eat in two minutes. This is way more than your betta should be eating and not at all healthy. An important little factoid to remember is that your betta’s stomach is only about as big as his eyeball.
What Your Betta Should Be Eating
The best diet for a betta fish is one that includes a variety of live or frozen food. Betta fish are carnivorous, so they need high protein food. Plant based foods are out of the question and anyone who tells you betta fish are algae eaters are off their rockers.
Bloodworms and brine shrimp are the most common non-pellet betta foods. They can be purchased live, frozen, or freeze-dried and the frozen and freeze dried foods last a very long time. Live food should only be purchased at your local fish or pet store, never from your backyard, as these foods can contain harmful bacteria that they will pass on to your betta.
Frozen beef heart is also a suitable meal plan, and can be purchased at your local butcher or grocer. Tubifex worms are also nutritious food for betta fish, but should only be bought frozen, as live tubifex worms carry harmful bacteria and are best avoided. Live white worms, grindal worms, fruit flies, or black worms also make excellent additions to your betta’s meals.
Live food is the best food your betta can eat, as this is what he would be eating in the wild, and can be cultivated at home. Be sure to thoroughly research how to begin harvesting your own live betta food and get the initial supply from a reputable source.
If you notice that your betta hasn’t been eating or producing waste, he is probably constipated. Live or frozen Daphnia can act as a laxative, and a small portion (about the size of his eyeball) of a blanched pea will work to clean out his system. Daphnia should only be used in severe cases, and the pea will need to be stuck on the end of a toothpick or it will dirty the water.
How and When To Feed Your Betta
Bettas generally live to eat from the surface, so make sure you have your bettas attention before dropping in the food. Remember that his stomach is only about as big as his eyeball so only a few pellets or other food is necessary. Betta fish cannot be trusted to stop eating when they’re full, so don’t be worried if he still acts hungry when you’ve finished. Remove any uneaten food or it will dirty your tank and provide a toxic living environment.
I recommend feeding your betta twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, but only a very small amount. If you’re using pellets, 3-4, if you’re using worms or shrimp only 2-3 depending on the size. If you prefer to feed your betta only once a day, feed him a little more (only one or two more pellets or worms/shrimp).
To sum up, live or frozen foods are preferable, but pellets are acceptable. Your betta’s stomach is only about the size of his eyeball, and overfeeding can lead to disease and poor water quality (not to mention a fat fish!). Feed your betta once or twice per day and be sure to remove any uneaten food. Follow these rules, along with keeping your tank clean and in ideal conditions, and your betta will live a long and happy life.
Resources:
Personal Experience
Nippyfish.net
Good Foods for Betta Fish: Choosing a Healthy Betta Food Diet – Even For Picky Fish
