Looking after a fish is very rewarding, but they are many different species out there that all have their own particular needs. Choosing the right fish food can be a bit of a challenge, so you might be wondering, can betta fish eat tropical flakes?
Tropical flakes can be great for betta fish as part of a balanced and healthy diet. Betta fish need to take on quite a lot of protein, so they will need flakes that are high in crude proteins. However, variety is important, and you can’t rely on flakes alone for your bettas.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about how tropical flakes can fit into your betta’s diet, as well as some alternatives that can provide similar benefits for your fishy friends.
Are Tropical Flakes Good for Bettas?
High-quality, protein-based tropical fish flakes can be really good for betta fish. In fact, it is recommended that flakes or pellets are a staple in their diet. The right tropical fish flakes can be very high in crude protein, which is great for your bettas.
Not all flakes are good for bettas, however, as many are low-quality or contain too many plant-based ingredients.
It is important to be aware, though, that even the best flakes won’t provide all of the nutrition that your fish need. You should vary their diet by incorporating other nutritious foods, as well as some high-quality tropical flakes.
Besides protein-based tropical flakes, you can feed your betta fish:
- Live food: Engaging and very healthy, live food is a great option for bettas, but it does carry a small risk of introducing parasites to the tank.
- Frozen food: Can be stored for much longer than live food, and it’s easier to dish out as well.
- Freeze-dried food: Very similar to frozen foods but preserved in a different way, freeze-dried foods have essentially had all of the moisture removed from them, so they don’t spoil.
- High-quality betta food: You can find betta food in all kinds of forms, but you should always look at the ingredients to determine the quality. Plant-based ingredients are not beneficial for your bettas, so avoid food that lists these ingredients at the top.
Do Bettas Eat Tropical Fish Flakes?
Though tropical fish flakes can be great for your bettas, that doesn’t necessarily mean that they will be desperate to eat them. Some bettas are big fans of flakes, while others may not be interested at all.
Bettas like to feed on food that floats on the surface above them or hangs in the water, but some may not view flakes as an attractive food source. Even if they have a healthy appetite, you might find that your bettas just don’t feel like eating flakes.
Most betta fish, though, really enjoy tropical fish flakes (As long as they are the right kind) – the only way to know for sure is to give them a go!
What Kind of Tropical Flakes Do Betta Fish Like?
Betta fish are carnivorous, which means that they don’t like plant-based foods. Because of this, many tropical fish flakes are simply not suitable for bettas. The tropical flakes that they do like are protein-based, particularly those that are designed specifically for bettas. Some great examples of these include:
Fluval Bug Bites Betta Formula Flakes
Specifically made for betta fish, these are high in proteins and fortified with essential vitamins and minerals. There are many different protein sources in these particular flakes, including salmon, krill, and shrimp.
Nutrafin Max Betta Color Flakes
Also formulated with betta fish in mind, these fish flakes float in a way that should entice your bettas. They include freeze-dried bloodworms that most betta fish find very tasty.
GloFish Betta Food, Optimized for GloFish Bettas
This food is actually designed for Glofish’s own bettas, but it is also great for most other betta fish as well. It contains a good amount of shrimp proteins and has extra nutritional value besides.
TetraColor PLUS Tropical Flakes with Color Enhancing
Although this particular tropical flake has not been formulated for bettas, it still contains a lot of protein. The ingredients that your bettas might like include fish meal, shrimp meal, and freeze-dried shrimp.
Aqueon Tropical Color Enhancing Flakes
Another more generic tropical flake that can suit other fish as well, these Aqueon flakes are still rich in the proteins that bettas need. These flakes contain 42% crude protein and are also formulated to leave less waste – which is particularly good for messy bettas.
How To Feed Your Betta with Tropical Fish Flakes
When it comes to actually giving the flakes to your fish, it’s a pretty simple task. Tropical flakes are among the easiest foods to give to your bettas as they are very simple to store and pour, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Feed Them Twice Per Day
You should be feeding your betta regularly, and offering two meals per day is recommended. These fish have quite a small digestive tract, so they find it easier to eat in two sittings rather than trying to take on too much at once.
Be Aware of How Big Their Stomachs Are
Bettas literally have eyes as big as their stomachs. Look at one of the eyes of your betta fish to see how much you should be dropping into the tank each time – it is less than you might think!
Don’t Give Them Too Much
Sometimes the packaging can be a bit misleading about the right portion sizes for your fish. The best way to make sure that you are giving your bettas the right amount is by observing how they manage a meal. They should be able to eat a full meal in two minutes – if there is anything left over, then you probably gave them too much.
Remove Excess or Leftover Food From The Tank
Bettas can be very messy when they eat, but don’t let old food collect in the tank. Leftover food will lead to dirty and contaminated water that can make your betta fish very sick. You can always reduce the amount that you are giving your fish if you are regularly seeing some go to waste.
Add Variety
No matter how much your fish enjoy them, don’t just stick with the flakes. To get a fully balanced diet and all of the nutrition that they need, your bettas should be getting some variety in terms of what they eat.
What Are Good Alternatives for Tropical Fish Flakes?
If your bettas are not fond of fish flakes, don’t worry, there are many alternatives out there. Even if your betta fish love their flakes, you should still be feeding them some alternatives as part of a varied diet.
Betta Pellets
Alongside flakes, pellets are probably the main staple that you will rely on for your betta’s diet. Just like the flakes, though, you should look out for food that has been formulated specifically for bettas, is high-quality, and contains a lot of crude protein.
Live Food
Live food is probably the healthiest food you can offer your bettas, though it can be a little tricky to store and handle. Betta fish are carnivores and like to hunt their own meals, as they would in the wild. You can buy all kinds of live food from pet stores, like bloodworms, mosquito larvae, and brine shrimp.
Frozen Food
Much easier to manage than live food, and with many of the same benefits as well, frozen food is a great option for your bettas. Again, the most popular options include mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, and bloodworms. These treats work best when they have been fully defrosted before dropping them into the tank.
Freeze-Dried Food
Perhaps the most convenient flake and pellet alternative is freeze-dried food. Though it may not be quite as nutritious as live, or even frozen, fish food, it is certainly very easy to store and give to your bettas as a treat. Dried foods do tend to expand in the stomach of your fish, though, so be careful with how much you are giving them.
FAQ
Do Betta Fish Prefer Pellets Or Flakes?
Every betta fish is different, so it is hard to say exactly what they might prefer. Pellets stay together longer in the water, which might explain why some people report their bettas preferring pellets over flakes.
Can Betta Fish Eat Tetramin Tropical Flakes?
Yes, betta fish can eat Tetramin Tropical Flakes. They contain a good amount of crude protein, although there are some plant-based ingredients that might put your bettas off.
Can Betta Fish Eat Aqueon Tropical Flakes?
Yes, bettas can also eat Aqueon Tropical Flakes. They are designed for a wide variety of different tropical fish, but the main ingredient is a whole fish meal, which most bettas enjoy.
Can Betta Fish Eat Tetracolor Tropical Flakes?
Yes, betta fish can eat Tetracolor Tropical Flakes. With 46% crude protein, they have some of the right nutrition for bettas, although they are not specifically designed for them.
Recap: Can Betta Fish Eat Tropical Flakes?
So, can betta fish eat tropical flakes? The answer is yes, but it is often more a question of which kind. Betta fish are carnivorous and need to eat high-quality, high-protein fish flakes that do not contain too many plant-based ingredients.
Not all betta fish have the same tastes, however, and some are simply not very fond of tropical fish flakes. You should be feeding your bettas a variety of different foods, not just tropical flakes so that they are getting all of the nutrition they need.