Betta Fish Feeding Guide (Perfect Feeding Schedule Included)
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. If you get it wrong, you risk getting your pet fish sick or, worse, dead.
It’s, therefore, crucial that you learn everything about the types of foods and feeding habits that are appropriate for Bettas.
Read on to find out what Bettas eat, when to feed them, and how to avoid mistakes such as overfeeding.
What Do Betta Fish Eat?
Bettas are carnivorous. In the wild, they feed on insects and insect larvae, which are rich in proteins.
Some of the insects that they live on in the wild are brine shrimp, deer fly larvae, water fleas, bloodworms, and mosquito larvae.
It’s important to try and recreate these natural foods for your Betta in order to provide them with the nutrients they require.
Therefore, you should feed them high protein meat-based fish foods in their aquarium. Avoid feeding them solely on plant-based fish food that’s meant for tropical fish. Plant-based foods are great for omnivorous fish, but Bettas are carnivorous. If you only feed them such food that doesn’t provide the nutrients they require, they’ll end up emaciated or dead.
So, while adding plant roots to your Betta’s diet may be a good idea, you should not rely solely on them.
Whatever you do, try to create the kind of diet that they have in their natural habitat by looking for carnivorous fish foods with the right nutrients.
Want to know how to take care of betta fish but don’t know where to start? Click here to read a comprehensive article on betta fish care!
How Often Should You Feed a Betta Fish?
Generally speaking, deciding how often you should feed a betta fish is incredibly simple!
You should feed your Betta fish two – four pellets of food once or twice per day, once in the morning and again in the evening. You should also vary their diet with live and frozen food as well. Especially daphnia, brine shrimp, and occasionally bloodworms.
If you don’t have time it is possible to feed your betta once a day, as long as you’re giving them the same amount of food. Just make sure it’s definitely being eaten, and they’re not getting bloated or constipated.
On the other hand, baby bettas will need at least two daily feedings of small portions due to their growing demands.
Also while bettas love eating, this doesn’t mean that they have to be fed every day. It’s always a good idea to fast your pet fish every couple of weeks.
And don’t worry about starving them – a betta can live 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. And once the fast is over, you can go back to feeding your fish twice per day.
How Much Should You Feed a Betta Fish?
It’s important to always feed your Betta enough of the right food. Too much or too little can cause problems so you have to make sure you’re getting the balance just right!
When feeding pellets to your Betta, give 1-2 pellets to them each time. This serving twice per day is more than enough for a Betta fish. If you’re feeding freeze-dried, live, or frozen food, give 2 pieces during each mealtime.
Avoid adding excess food into the fish tank since these can ruin the quality of the water, making it hazardous to your fish. This is because uneaten remnants of food settle on the floor of the water tank and raise the levels of nitrite and ammonia, which are toxic to the fish.
If you find that you’ve given too much food to your fish, empty the water or remove the excess food to prevent this.
What Food is Best for Your Betta?
The best food for your Betta is one that replicates their natural diet in the wild. Luckily, you can find plenty of meat-based fish food suitable for Bettas at pet food outlets.
While pellets and flakes are good enough for your Betta, it’s a great idea to diversify their diet and add other types of food especially live food and frozen food. Your betta will love all these options, and they’ll help keep them entertained!
With that being said, here are some of the best food choices for your betta!
Live Foods
Any food that your betta would eat in the wild is going to be perfect for their diet! And as long as you’re making sure your betta is getting enough nutrients, live food can be a large part of their diet. (Depending on the animal.)
When buying live foods for your Betta, look for the same ones that are found in the wild. Here are a few live foods that most Bettas enjoy:
Daphnia
The number one live food you can feed your betta fish is daphnia. Daphnia are extremely rich in fibre and protein. And not only will they keep your betta regular and improve their digestion, they’re also going to improve their color, and trigger your bettas chasing instinct.
All of the things your betta is going to love!
(If your curious about feeding your betta daphnia, here are all the different reasons it’s a great choice for them!)
Mosquito Larvae
Mosquito larvae are one of the main things better eat in the wild, so adding it to their diet is going to mimic this perfectly! Therefore, it’s a great idea to add these as live food to your pet’s diet.
You can normally find them at local or online pet stores. Or, you can get a starter culture and begin harvesting them yourself at home.
Mosquito larvae may not be easy to come across during winter, but they’re active and available in abundance during the warmer months.
Brine Shrimp
Brine shrimp provide Betta fish with lots of vital nutrients, including proteins and vitamins. So you can also add them to your bettas diet if you choose too!
Fortunately, brine shrimp are pretty easy to find at pet stores. But, like other live food, you should pay attention to the sourcing so that you don’t give anything harmful to your fish.
(If you’re curious about brine shrimp for bettas then here’s all the information you need about them.)
Mysis Shrimp
While they’re named as such, these insects are not considered true shrimp. They’re bigger than brine shrimp – they’ll grow to a length of about an inch, while brine fish may make it to just a third of an inch.
Mysis shrimp are also known as opossum shrimp because the females carry their fry in a pouch found at the base of their legs.
These macroscopic crustaceans have more protein than brine shrimp and are therefore a better option in terms of nutrition. They also have a fiber-rich exoskeleton that supports the digestion of protein foods.
Unfortunately, despite being more nutritious, live Mysis shrimp are not as readily available as brine shrimp.
Bloodworms
Bloodworms are one of the most common natural foods for wild fish. Most fish will eat bloodworms when given to them, so this is a live food you should consider, especially if you have a picky Betta.
These worms are bright red, thanks to their high content of iron. They’re also rich in proteins and other minerals that help Betta fish thrive.
Introducing these worms to your pet fish’s water tank not only provides them with nourishment but also gives them a chance to utilize their natural hunting instincts.
Since bloodworms are so popular with fish, they’re easy to find at pet stores and are also inexpensive. However, while your fish may like them, don’t make these the main food in the diet since they lack the essential amino acids that Bettas need, and they’re also extremely fatty.
When you cannot get a reputable seller for live food, frozen food is your next best option. It contains most of the nutrients found in live food and doesn’t contain any indigestible fillers.
You’ll likely find frozen fish food being sold in cubes. Once you buy them, keep them in a freezer until it’s time to feed them to your fish.
Before feeding your Betta with frozen food, thaw it and let it sit on a plate for about 20 minutes.
Note that a single cube of frozen food may be too much to feed your Betta in one sitting. Depending on the size of the cube, divide it into portions and give a small amount – around 1.8g daily – to your fish. Put the rest back into the freezer for another day.
If you end up with excess food after defrosting, don’t put it back into the freezer. Get rid of it because it may have been exposed to bacteria that could harm your Betta.
Freeze-dried Foods
You can also feed your Betta freeze-dried food, although it might not be of the same quality as either live or frozen food. But since it allows you to add your Betta’s natural food into the diet, it’s still a great option.
In order to keep it stable during storage, manufacturers dehydrate and add fillers to freeze-dried foods. This keeps them in consumable condition for long and free of parasites and bacteria.
But these fillers and the lack of moisture content in the food can pose risks to your fish. If you give your Betta too much of this food, they may end up constipated and bloated.
This is because the dried food absorbs moisture in the stomach of your fish and expands.
To prevent this, always soak the freeze-dried food in water before giving them to your fish. Since freeze-dried foods are stripped of important nutrients during their processing, you can soak them in a vitamin solution to boost their nutritive value.
Because of all of this, you should only give your betta freeze dried food every few days.
Betta Fish Feeding Schedule
Wondering what you should feed your Betta, when? Here’s a simple weekly Betta fish feeding schedule you can stick to:
Sunday: Betta pellets, 2-3 pellets, once or twice a day
Monday: Live, freeze-dried or frozen food, 2-3 pieces, 1-2 times a day
Tuesday: Betta pellets, 2-3 pellets, 1-2 times
Wednesday: Live, frozen, or freeze-dried fish food, 2-3 pieces, once or twice
Thursday: Betta pellets, 2-4 pellets, 1-2 times a day
Friday: Live, freeze-dried, or frozen Betta food, 2-3 pieces, 1-2 times
Saturday: Fast them on Alternate Saturdays
What Happens If You Overfeed Your Betta Fish?
It’s easy to overfeed your Betta fish if you don’t have the right information about how much and how often they should eat. Also, the fact that these little fish will likely eat more as long as the food is provided doesn’t help.
And if you happen to overfeed your Betta fish, any of these issues may arise:
Constipation and Bloating
Betta fish have a small stomach – the size of their eye – and a very short digestive tract. Since Betta fish will continue eating even after they’re full, they’re at an increased risk of constipation.
A constipated Betta will show signs such as bloating, not pooping or having 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. Also, add more fiber to their diet and watch how much you feed them to prevent it from happening again.
(Find out more about what to do if your Betta is constipated or bloated.)
Obesity
Bettas store undigested food and excess food as fat in their bodies. So, if you’re overfeeding your Betta, they’ll grow obese over time.
Obesity poses a health risk to Bettas, so it’s important to avoid it. As long as your fish doesn’t look emaciated, you can rest assured that they’re getting enough food.
But if they appear bloated and not because of temporary constipation, this is a sign that they’re getting obese. Put them on a fast to use up their stored fat and gradually cut back on their feeding sizes.
Illness
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.
Therefore, avoid overfeeding your Betta because even if they don’t overeat, they’ll be at risk of being exposed to a hazardous environment.
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.
If your Betta remains at the bottom, they may begin to have trouble eating and in some cases even breathing. Bettas are labyrinth fish, which means that they breathe oxygen from the air by swimming to the water surface, so staying at the bottom of the tank is not good for them.
To help your fish get through this, lower the water level in the tank or add plants to increase the oxygen supply. Dealing with constipation will get rid of the swim bladder disorder if it’s the sole cause behind it.
Betta fish can survive for 2 weeks without food, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not at risk of being underfed. If you give your Betta too little food, the following problems may occur:
They’ll Become Thin
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.
Paleness
Bettas that don’t receive enough food eventually lose their color and appear pale. This is a sign that you need to boost your Betta fish feeding routine.
Weakened Immune System
Underfeeding means that your Betta is not getting enough of the nutrients that they need to thrive. This leads to malnutrition and results in weak immunity. If your underfed Betta gets ill, they’ll be at a higher risk of serious consequences compared to well-fed Bettas.
What Should You Feed Betta Fry and Young Betta Fish?
Betta Fry should be fed live food such as baby brine shrimps, mosquito larvae, micro worms, and daphnia. As they grow into young Bettas, you can introduce other fish foods such as pellets.
What To Do If Your Betta Won’t Eat
One of the most common issues that betta owners face is when their fish won’t eat. If your betta refuses to eat, it can be concerning and stressful for the pet owner. If your betta is not eating, here are some things you can do to help:
Check Water Parameters
Test the water for temperature, pH, and ammonia levels. Make sure the water is clean and free of pollutants.
Adjust Feeding Schedule
If you suspect that your betta is overeating, adjust the feeding schedule. Feed small portions of food twice a day, and remove any uneaten food after a few minutes.
Change the Food
Try changing the type of food you are feeding your betta. Bettas enjoy a variety of foods, including pellets, flakes, freeze-dried worms, and live food.
Quarantine
If you suspect your betta is sick, quarantine it in a separate tank to prevent the spread of disease. Monitor its behavior and appetite, and take it to a veterinarian specializing in fish if necessary.
Reduce Stress
Reduce any stress factors that might be affecting your betta. Avoid overhandling, provide hiding places, and make sure the tank is big enough for your fish to swim comfortably.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions that people have about feeding their betta fish.
When Should You Feed Your Betta?
The best times to feed your Betta fish are in the morning and night, providing a small portion each time. You can also feed them just once, but your fish may like it more if you divide the daily portion into two and give it at different times of the day.
Bettas remember their mealtimes, so it’s great to set a feeding schedule and stick to it.
Besides feeding them, it’s also important to establish when to fast them. You can choose a single day of the week to fast them every couple of weeks when you don’t feed them anything.
How Should You Prepare Your Betta’s Food?
How you prepare your Betta’s food depends on what type it is. Rinse live food before introducing it to the tank water to avoid transferring bacteria or parasites.
You should soak dried food before giving it to your Betta so that it won’t expand in their stomach, causing digestive issues.
Always thaw frozen fish food before giving it to your pet fish. Also, make sure to divide it into smaller portions to avoid overfeeding.
Should You Feed Female Bettas Differently Before Spawning?
It’s a good idea to feed female bettas differently before spawning to ensure they are in optimal health and condition for breeding. Female bettas need a high-protein diet, including live or frozen foods like bloodworms, brine shrimp, or daphnia, to provide them with the energy and nutrients required to produce healthy eggs.
Additionally, it’s essential to ensure the water conditions in the breeding tank are optimal, including a temperature of around 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit, neutral pH, and clean water.
Should You Feed Your Bettas Peas?
Yes, you can feed your bettas peas as an occasional treat or to help with digestive issues. Peas can help with constipation in bettas due to their high fiber content. However, it’s important to blanch the peas first and remove the outer shell to make them easier for your betta to digest.
How Many Flakes Should You Feed A Betta
The amount of flakes you should feed a betta depends on several factors, including the betta’s size and activity level. As a general guideline, you should feed your betta only as much as it can eat within two minutes, once or twice a day. Overfeeding can lead to health problems, so monitoring your betta’s food intake and adjusting as necessary is important.
What Is The Best Time To Feed A Betta Fish?
There is no “best” time to feed a betta fish as they have different feeding habits and preferences. Some bettas are more active and hungry in the morning, while others prefer to feed in the evening or at night. Observing your betta’s behavior and feeding patterns is best to determine the best time to feed them. Additionally, it’s important to maintain a consistent feeding schedule to ensure your betta’s digestive system functions properly.
Feeding your Betta fish well is essential in ensuring their health, vitality, and happiness. Keep their diet well-balanced and provide them with a variety of food options to whet their appetites.
Avoid foods that contain fillers and choose ones that are high in proteins to satisfy their carnivorous needs.
Remember to fast your pet Betta once in a while for the sake of their digestive tract and overall health. Provide live or frozen Betta food as much as you can, as they are most nutritively similar to their natural food sources.
