If you’re new to caring for Bettas, certainly you’re wondering which frozen foods will be good for them. Ideally, anything they would have normal access to in their native habitat will be best as frozen food. This will include things like daphnia, bloodworms, Cyclops, and mosquito larvae, among several others.
However, it’s good to understand all the different types of foods Bettas can consume. Not only will it help you vary their diet, but it will come in handy if you ever run out of frozen food. This will keep them healthy, vibrant, and active throughout their time in your tank.
Can Betta Fish Eat Frozen Fish Foods?
Frozen fish food is an excellent menu option for Bettas. They’re carnivorous by nature and would happily eat things like daphnia, bloodworms, or mosquito larvae in their native habitat.
In fact, it will help make your Betta healthier, brighter, and more vibrant, both in color and activity. They offer a host of essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients Bettas require to be happy. So, definitely make frozen foods part of their regular diet.
What Frozen Food Can Betta Eat?
There is a wonderful selection of frozen foods for Bettas, and they can eat just about any kind. However, there is an ideal range that includes mosquito larvae, daphnia, bloodworms, Mysis shrimp, Cyclops, and brine shrimp. You can feed these to your Bettas as part of their daily diet.
Mosquito Larvae
Because Bettas like eating from the surface of the tank, mosquito larvae are perfect for them since they float. There are three kinds you can get frozen: white, red, and black. You can feed any one of these to your Betta, and it will gobble it down without prejudice.
Daphnia
Daphnias are very common in the native habitats of Bettas, so feeding them frozen ones are ideal. These are tiny-shelled crustaceans that live in rivers, ponds, lakes, and streams. Since they are plentiful in the vast waterways of the world, daphnia makes a top choice for most fish, including Bettas.
What’s great about daphnia is that they help prevent constipation. Their shells have an effect similar to a laxative, and this works to keep a Betta’s digestion healthy and running well. Plus, it helps them pass any blockages if they experience constipation from things like pellets and flakes. You can give them daphnia every day without worry or concern.
Bloodworms
Bloodworms are a great staple to have for Bettas. You can offer it to them as much as three or four times each week. Some owners report feeding bloodworms even more than that since they come chock full of protein.
This is ideal if you want to bulk up an underweight fish or during recovering from illness. Plus, they can’t resist this delectable morsel, so if you have a Betta that refuses to eat, they won’t deny a juicy bloodworm.
Mysis Shrimp
Reaching up to one inch in length, Mysis shrimp are high in nutrients and a great source of protein. They’re perfect for the average Betta diet. But, you should only feed these once or twice per month to prevent bloating and digestive blockage.
Cyclops
Another great little crustacean for your Betta is the Cyclops. These float in the water column until the fish eat them. These are ideal for young Bettas because they’re tiny enough to fit in their mouths. However, adult Bettas enjoy them just as much.
Brine Shrimp
One of the most common foods for Bettas is brine shrimp. They don’t have a whole lot of nutrients, but they can provide a laxative for a constipated fish. So, it’s better if you serve it as a treat about once per week rather than part of the daily menu.
Is Frozen Food Good For Betta?
Frozen foods are excellent for Bettas. They’re carnivores, so giving them frozen offerings is going to be the closest you’ll get to simulating the diet they would have in the wild.
Frozen foods, such as the ones mentioned above, have plenty of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals Bettas need. It’s a great way to supplement their diet when most of their food is pellets and flakes. Frozen foods will provide variety and, therefore, optimal health.
How Much Frozen Food Should I Feed My Betta?
You should attempt to feed your Betta frozen food once a day. However, this isn’t a particular requirement. Bettas can eat frozen foods as little as two to three times per week. It’s not advisable to feed them any less than that because they’re meat-eaters. A high protein diet is what will keep Bettas happy.
So, as long as you’re feeding the fish a high-quality pellet or flake, the additional nutrients provided by frozen foods will be a nice supplement. But, of course, you should gauge your Betta and its particular needs. For instance, if you have a fat fish, reduce its protein intake. But, if your Betta is underweight, give it a little extra.
As a side note, when feeding Bettas pellets, these have the potential to expand in their stomachs and digestive tracts. So, you should give them pellets designed not to expand or let them soak in some water for a bit and break it up to make the pellets more digestible.
What Can I Feed My Betta Fish If I Run Out Of Frozen Food?
There will be times when you might run out of frozen food. Therefore, you need to supplement the food until you can get your hands on more. There are several things Bettas can eat that are good and just as healthy as the frozen or live offerings you give. However, you want to avoid giving Bettas certain foods so as to protect their digestion.
Tubifex Worms
Tubifex worms, once thawed, sink to the bottom of the tank. Therefore, this isn’t a very common offering since Bettas have to eat them directly from the substrate. Also, if you don’t get the right kind, they can introduce disease, pests, and other infestations to the tank. Therefore, you should feed these as a last-ditch option because you’re out of other frozen foods.
Vegetables
Blanched veggies are a great way to supplement frozen food when you’re out. They can have peas, cucumbers, lettuce, and spinach. You just have to ensure you cut these small enough to fit in their mouths and stomachs. Remember, a Betta’s stomach is not much larger than the circumference of its eye.
Fruits
Bettas tend to be picky eaters, so fruit may or may not go over very well. It depends on your fish and its appetite. So, you may have to experiment with various foods to see which ones your Betta will enjoy. However, it’s not uncommon for some fish keepers to give things like melon, banana, or mango.
If you choose to do this and are unsure if your fish will like the fruit, pay attention to the Betta and see if it eats what you give within 20 minutes. If not, remove it as soon as possible before it starts decomposing and creating a spike in water parameters.
Seafood
If you are desperate to feed your Betta some good protein and you’re out of frozen food, you can give it bits of some types of seafood. Tuna and shrimp are best, but they can also have some lobster or scallops. However, nothing should have salt, oil, butter, chemicals, sauces, or seasonings of any kind.
Meat
Another last-ditch effort you can try giving your Betta is land meat. It is possible to give your fish slivers of chicken or beef. But, like seafood, it shouldn’t have anything added, and you must cook it all the way through. Take note that land animal meat is not something a Betta would find in its native habitat, so do not make this a regular thing.
What NOT to Feed Betta Fish
Even though many foods are great to give to a Betta, you should absolutely avoid some foods. Never give your Betta things like citrus fruits. The high acid content will produce devastating results. This includes lemons, oranges, limes, grapefruit, mandarins, and the like.
For veggies, don’t give Bettas broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, leeks, onions, shallots, garlic, beans, or carrots. None of these is good for a Betta. Besides, the chances of them actually eating it are minimal. Plus, things like cabbage and garlic will add an odor to the tank.
In the way of meats, don’t feed Bettas things like processed cold cuts, ham, pork, bacon, and lamb. These are not only far too rich, but they are also high in natural salts. These will wreak havoc on a Betta’s delicate digestive system.
Recap
Bettas are pretty little fish that require a well-balanced and varied diet of proteins. Therefore, feeding them frozen foods is a good way to do this. However, it’s advisable that you feed them a quality pellet or flake every day and use frozen offerings as a supplement and treat.