In this blog, we will look at bettas’ eating habits, types of food, nutritional tips and other issues related to their diet. Knowing about the feeding of bettas is paramount to maintaining the health of the fish.
Betta Fish Eating Habit and Types of Food
Betta fish are carnivorous. They seek insects, larvae, and insect eggs from the water’s surface in the wild. This indicates that your betta should be fed a fish diet that is high in meat or protein. Be cautious, as some conventional tropical fish flakes do not correspond to the betta fish diet.
It is critical to get the food perfect for your fish’s health. Feed them the incorrect food, and they won’t get the nourishment they require; feed them too frequently or too much, and they’ll grow bloated. One of the most prevalent causes of betta fish sickness is owners who don’t realise they’re putting too much food in the tank.
Pellets
Bettas are surface-feeding fish, so feeding them pellets rather than flaked food is a good option. Pellets are more successful since they float on the water and resemble insects, which they consume in the wild. Most bettas dislike flaking feeds because they resemble detritus and appear to have been washed ashore.
A betta should be fed 4–6 pellets every day. Because different manufacturers make variable-sized pellets, this measurement should only be used as a guideline. If you’re unsure, aim for roughly 1.8 grams (for an adult betta).
Another factor to consider is the betta’s size and age. Younger bettas will require fewer pellets, while older, larger bettas will require more. Some bettas will start eating less as they get older, so don’t put too many pellets in the tank if they’re not going to consume them.
Live Food
Bettas spend the most of their time in the wild looking for live food. They don’t have to worry about this in your tank, and many people simply give their betta pellets or flakes. While this isn’t an issue, it’s always a good idea to provide your betta a variety of diet that includes live food.
There is no single form of live food that is beneficial to betta fish. In reality, the key is to ensure that your betta’s food is diverse. This manner, he gets all of the vital elements he needs in his diet. In most circumstances, one sort of food will not suffice. Therefore, while there isn’t just one great food, there are plenty.
Daphnia
Daphnia is a popular sort of live food that people give their betta. It’s fantastic since it has a lot of protein and fibre. If you feed your betta a lot of pellet or flake food, daphnia is an excellent way to keep their digestive system going.
To start growing your own, you’ll need some daphnia / water-flea eggs. These are normally available online or at a fish store. They’ll need to be placed in a container, such as a bucket. Fill the bucket halfway with de-chlorinated water or rainfall and leave it for two days before adding the eggs.
It should take 2 weeks for the daphnia to grow. When they reach adulthood, they will resemble little grains of salt swimming about in the water. Algae will grow naturally in the bucket for them to eat. Once hatched, the daphnia will reproduce with each other throughout time. Simply capture them with a net and give them to your fish.
Brine Shrimp
Brined Shrimp has many advantages over bettas nutrition. Here are a few reasons why you should feed them every now and then:
- One of the finest reasons to feed your betta brine shrimp is that they satisfy your betta’s need to hunt. When you put live brine shrimp in your betta’s tank, he will be entertained for hours as he chases them around the tank and tries to eat them.
- Unlike some other live foods, brine shrimp are unlikely to be disease-carrying as long as you buy them from a reputable seller.
- They are also beneficial to digestion. If your betta is frequently constipated, or if you just give them pellets or flakes.
Fishes love brine shrimp, but whether they will eat it or not depends on your betta. Some bettas will enjoy brine shrimp, while others will dislike them completely. However, you may be quite certain that your betta will like eating brine shrimp.
However, it is not advisable to give your betta brine shrimp every day. If you overfeed your betta brine shrimp, they may lose some of the nourishment they require to survive. That is why it is advisable to start with a high-quality pellet and then supplement their diet with other types of food.
To start raising brine shrimps, find a container you wish to grow your brine shrimp in: any bucket, plastic container or aquarium will do. The brine shrimp need to have aerated water, so take this into account too.
The best way to aerate the water is with an air stone – you can order air pumps or air stones online, or you should be able to find one in a fish or pet store. Fill the container with de-chlorinated, treated water. You’ll need to grab some aquarium salt or salt without iodine.
Add 1.25 grams of salt to every 40ml of water. Allow this to combine before adding the aerator to the container. Allow 12 hours before adding the brine shrimp eggs to the water. This is important to allow water with the perfect conditions for the eggs to eclode.
Once the eggs have been introduced to the water, the shrimp should hatch in 12 to 48 hours. At 6 weeks, a brine shrimp will be a fully fledged adult, but at 4 weeks, it will be a considerable meal for an adult betta. Simply use a net to capture the brine shrimp you wish to feed to your betta, or simply use your hand — brine shrimp are safe.
Bloodworms
Bloodworms are one of the most regularly accessible feeds for aquarium fish. While it is a delightful treat, it should not constitute the majority of your fish diet. Here’s all you need to know about how many bloodworms to feed your betta fish.
Bloodworms are classified into two groups: the Chironomidae family and the Glycera genus. This bloodworm is really the larval stage of midge flies, not a worm. They may live as larvae for up to three years and as adults for a few weeks. These bristle worms are often found on the seafloor in salty habitats.
Purchasing live bloodworms implies that they are still alive and moving about. Because they are in their natural state, your Betta will benefit from high nutritional value. Because there is so much food available, their minds are tricked into thinking it is breeding season. The disadvantage is their shorter shelf life.
If you need to preserve the meal for roughly six months, frozen bloodworms are great. Because microorganisms are killed during the freezing process, they are less likely to suffer any of these problems. When purchasing frozen bloodworms, higher-quality brands are preferable. A good brand will include more worms than water.
Tubifex Worms
Tubifex worms are a diverse genus of tubificid annelids found in the sediments of lakes, rivers, and, on occasion, sewage pipes. They are hermaphroditic in nature, which means they have both male (testes) and female (ovaries) organs on a single body. A minimum of 13 Tubifex species have been identified, with the exact number unknown because the species are not easily distinguished from one another.
Copulation occurs when two fully developed Tubifex worms link their anterior and ventral surfaces together, with their anterior ends facing in opposing directions. The penial setae of one worm penetrate the tissues of other worms, holding the conjugants together. After copulation, they split and begin to construct egg casings with eggs, known as cocoons.
Tubifex tubifex may be mass cultivated in containers with 50 to 75 mm thick pond muck on the bottom. When the worms reach the surface, they are caught and cleaned under a forceful spray of water to remove any leftover dirt attached to their bodies.
The culture setup requires the following items based on the developing requirements of tubifex worms:
- A shallow container in which to house the worms.
- Cold, clean water.
- To produce a flow of water, use a pump.
- Holder Container for collecting and pumping back water.
- The substrate or material that the worms will cling to.
- Feed for the worms.
For many years, using Tubifex worms as live food has resulted in a number of problems. They may be polluted with various illnesses if taken from drains, open bodies of water, or even hatcheries. While the worms contain high-quality proteins, they are also very fattening and deficient in certain essential amino acids.
Mysis Shrimp
Bettas are carnivores who require a high protein, vitamin, and mineral diet. Because of their exoskeleton, mysis shrimp, sometimes known as opossum shrimp, are an excellent choice for betta fish.
Mysis shrimp are rich in fibre and roughage and require little maintenance. They’re also simple to reproduce on their own; just make sure you feed them enough. They’ll start devouring each other if you don’t. Mysis shrimp are low in fat but high in fibre and roughage, making them ideal for your betta.
Conclusion
It is important to vary the diet of bettas so that their nutritional needs are met. It is sufficient to provide pellet feed, however, it is good to use live food for bettas, provided they are well chosen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Betta Fish and Eating
When do betta fish stop eating?
Sometimes we hear that feeding what your fish will eat in 5 minutes or until it stops eating on fish pellet or flake packaging is sufficient. Betta fish are exempt from this rule. Because they don’t know when their next meal will arrive, their impulse in the wild is to devour as much as possible.
Is it normal for betta fish to eat every day?
It is suggested that you give your betta fish two to four pellets once or twice a day. When pellets are placed in water, they expand and become very filling for your betta fish. 1 to 2 days a week, freeze-dried or fresh food can be substituted for pellet feeding.
Can betta fish consume bread?
Yes, betta fish may eat bread, but it should not be fed on a regular basis. If you throw breadcrumbs and little crackers their way, they could munch on them. Their obsession with bread, on the other hand, is unhealthy. Excessive intake may result in dietary issues and health hazards.
Why do bettas have trouble eating?
Bettas are a kind of tropical fish. Fish who aren’t digesting their food properly may quit eating due to discomfort. Cold water can also produce tension, which can contribute to weight loss. You should install a heater in your betta fish tank to avoid any unexpected temperature swings.
References
Betta Fish Feeding Guide
Brine Shrimp For Bettas (Why You Need To Use Them!)
Bloodworms for Betta Fish: What You Need To Know!
Tubifex Worms – Culturing And 2 Weird Reproduction System
