What do betta fish eat

This is particularly true for bettas who have a reputation for being picky eaters. Feed small portions of a variety of foods, and eventually, your fish will eat. Don't be alarmed if the betta spits out its food. This, too, is common behavior and it's believed to be a mechanism for breaking down and softening the food. Try some live bloodworms or live brine shrimp as treats if all else fails, either one will almost always entice your betta into eating.

Take care to avoid feeding live foods too often, however, or your betta may begin to refuse to eat anything else. Bettas should not be kept in a plant vase , because they require good water quality and warm water temperatures to thrive. Those conditions are more readily provided by keeping them in a filtered and heated aquarium. Bettas should be in water that is between 76 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal health. When you're breeding bettas, the water temperature should be above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bettas will become lethargic as water temperatures get lower, particularly when the temperature drops below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The water should be changed every other day if the betta is in a small container that isn't filtered.

Weekly partial water changes are recommended if kept in a filtered tank. It's also important to remove uneaten food promptly, so it doesn't foul the water. Bettas are sensitive to water conditions and they often fall prey to fin rot if conditions deteriorate. Male bettas can never be kept together because they'll fight with each other, often to the death.

Males will also attack females to a lesser degree and should only be kept with a female for a brief time for breeding purposes. Multiple female bettas can be kept together as long as there is plenty of room for each to establish her own space. Males are more vividly colored than females. They have much longer fins and they're more aggressive.

Females are shorter and have wider bodies. They'll display an "egg spot" between the ventral and anal fins when they mature. Females lack the distinctive "beard" that males display when flaring. Betta flakes can be a staple in regular feedings, but they can also be very messy. Excess or sunken flakes should be removed immediately after feeding.

Betta fish often refuse to eat flakes as well. Betta fish are carnivores and they get increasingly aggressive during feedings when they have to stalk their prey. This is also the best way to replicate their natural habitat and food sources.

Some are harder to source than others but make for a balanced diet. Be careful of where you source your live and frozen foods from, as they may carry parasites and other diseases. Never feed your betta something you caught outdoors either. Frozen foods come in many of the same options. Only take as much as you need placing the rest back into the freezer to prevent thawing. Never refreeze any food that has been thawed as it could have been exposed to bacteria.

A staple in their natural habitat, mosquito larvae are an excellent betta food option. While they may be hard to source during the winter months, mosquitos and their larvae are very active and abundant during spring and summer and in warmer climates. Purchase a starter culture and harvest them yourself, or find a reputable local or online store that carries them. Brine shrimp are an aquatic crustacean that betta fish love.

The photo above is zoomed in, from the University of Utah , they only grow up to 1 centimeter as adults. Bloodworms or Glycera are the larvae of the midge fly and can be found in pools and ponds of water. Betta fish commonly gorge on them in the wild, making them ideal variations for even the pickiest of eaters.

They are high in iron content, resulting in their bright red coloring. Also known as the vinegar fly, the common fruit fly is something you are probably very familiar with.

Those are fruit flies and betta fish love them because they are insectivores. Instead, there is a wingless and flightless variety that is ideal for feeding betta fish and can even be bred and harvested in a small container inexpensively. Mysis shrimp, or opossum shrimp , are another great option for betta fish because of their exoskeleton. This exterior is rich in fiber, which aids the digestion of protein-rich foods. If your betta fish is a picky eater, these guys might do the trick for some variety.

They are packed with betta-loving nutrients, more so than brine shrimp, and are also high in moisture and amino acids. Pay no attention to the amount and instructions on the side of the betta fish food can. These directions are often very misleading and can cause problems with your betta and the water quality in your tank.

Typical feeding instructions say to feed as much as your fish will consume in 5 minutes, or to feed several times daily in amounts that can be consumed in 3 minutes.

This is not recommended and will lead to overfeeding and excess waste. You can refrigerate them for a day or two; however, if they smell or change color, toss them. These treats are the perfect food for small fish like your Betta. Mysis Shrimp: These are great for even the pickiest eaters, like Betta fish. They are very high in fatty acid and Omega-3 nutrients.

Most come from glacial lakes in Canada and free of fillers or binding agents, making them excellent Betta food. Here are a few great Live, Frozen, and Freeze-Dried options. First off, most pellets will be too large for the small fry to consume. Second, while your tiny Betta friends are growing, they require a significant amount of protein that you can provide by feeding them things live.

Most of the time, they call for more food than your Betta requires. Do Not Overfeed! Overfeeding can lead to bloating, which could cause swim bladder disorders. Overfeeding is one of the most common reasons why your Betta might not be as active as he once was.

All Betta fish eat differently. Most Betta fish are picky eaters. A new Betta can take up to 30 days or more to accept a new food. There is no special food that all Betta fish will eat; it just takes time, trial, and error to find out what your Betta will and will not eat. Mix it up, Betta fish like variety and actually require the nutritional value of eating various food to stay healthy.

Keep the tank clean and remove all uneaten food. Give your Betta approx. Uneaten food can slowly rot and create toxins in the water that are harmful to your Betta.

Follow these steps to feeding your Betta Fish, and they will thrive! Step 1 When should you feed your Betta? This should give you enough time to ensure your Betta is healthy and eating. You will want to ensure that your Betta is eating all the food and removing anything left over. Watch your Betta for signals. Choose one day a week to fast. Usually, I use Sunday, but any day will do. Fasting allows the Betta to clear its digestive system and help with bloating and constipation. The most common is twice per day; however, once a day is also okay.

Just be sure not to feed them more because you think they are hungry for the rest of the day. Some people will feed up to three times a day. I would not recommend this. This will help create a schedule that you can follow and organize as it can get confusing with all the different foods and treats your Betta will be eating.

Each meal should be small, as you are feeding more frequently.