Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish. These vibrantly colored fish are well known for their flowing fins and being relatively low maintenance. However, there is still some debate around how often you should feed your betta fish to keep them healthy and happy. This article will provide a complete guide to betta feeding including how much and how often you should feed them.
How Often Should Betta Fish Be Fed?
The general recommendation is to feed your adult betta fish two to three small meals per day. Betta fish have small stomachs so they need to eat smaller portions more frequently. Feed them once in the morning, once in the evening, and an optional midday feeding. Avoid letting more than one day pass without feeding them.
Betta fry and juvenile fish under 3 months old need to eat more frequently to aid development. Young bettas should be fed three to four times daily with high protein foods. Adults being conditioned for breeding may also benefit from an extra meal each day.
Listen to your individual fish’s appetite as well. If they are eagerly anticipating and consuming food at each feeding time, consider adding an extra daily meal. If food is being ignored, scale back to two meals per day.
What Is The Best Amount Of Food To Feed A Betta Fish?
Since bettas have tiny stomachs, it’s important not to overfeed them. At each feeding give them only as much food as they can consume within 2-3 minutes. This is usually about 2-4 small pellets or freeze dried worms. Additionally, bettas should display a softly rounded belly after eating – not appearing emaciated or bloated.
Offering too much food is one of the most common betta care mistakes. Uneaten food will sink to the bottom of the tank and foul the water. Overfeeding can lead to swim bladder disorder, constipation, and obese bettas. It may also cause lack of appetite, lethargy, and fatty liver disease. Stick to the recommended portion size at each feeding and watch your fish’s body shape and appetite cues closely.
What Foods Should Betta Fish Be Fed?
In the wild, bettas eat insects and insect larvae. This makes them carnivorous by nature. Their captive diets should reflect their fondness for meaty foods.
High quality betta pellet formulas, frozen or freeze dried treats, and the occasional frozen mealworm or brine shrimp make excellent staples. Avoid generic flakes, as bettas often struggle to consume these properly.
Here are some top foods for bettas:
– Betta pellets high in protein
– Frozen or freeze dried bloodworms
– Brine shrimp
– Daphnia
– Cyclops
– Beef heart
– Larval fish foods
Look for foods specifically made for betta fish as these floats are sized appropriately. Avoid any foods with artificial coloring or fillers. Vary their diet by offering 2-3 different foods throughout the week for complete nutrition.
How Can You Tell If Your Betta Fish Is Hungry?
Observing betta behavior and appearance provides good insight into their health and hunger levels.
Signs your betta wants more food include:
– Swimming rapidly when you approach their tank
– Getting excited and watching the surface at feeding times
– Appearing very thin or underweight
– Loss of bright colors
– Lethargic or inactive between feedings
All of these are clues your fish needs more nutrition. Try slowly increasing portion sizes or adding an extra small feeding each day until their appetite is satisfied.
On the other hand, bettas should not appear constantly famished. Well fed bettas still display interest when food is introduced but do not frantically dart about. They gracefully accept their meals without aggression towards tank mates. Their belly will become gently rounded after eating.
Adjust Portions If Your Betta Becomes Bloated
Conversely, reduce feedings immediately if you notice:
– Lack of interest in food
– Difficulty swimming or floating
– Overly plump body shape
– Scales protruding like a pine cone
– Swollen eyes
These are signs of constipation, swim bladder disorder, or general overfeeding. Eliminate treats and reduce pellets to just 2-3 per feeding. Offer a blanched, shelled pea to relieve constipation. Fasting your betta completely for 2-3 days often helps correct these issues.
How To Feed Your Betta Fish
Now that you know how much and how often to feed bettas, let’s cover the proper feeding method.
Gather Their Food
First, select your betta’s food for that meal. Place the pellets or freeze dried bits into a small dish or directly into a plastic spoon. Thaw any frozen items as needed.
Wash Your Hands
Always wash your hands thoroughly before putting them into your betta’s aquarium habitat. Oils and soap residue can harm your fish or reduce water quality.
Turn Off Filtration
If your betta tank has a heavy filter flow, turn it off during feedings. This allows food to sink slowly and your fish to eat without fighting strong currents.
Feed Slowly
Add a small pinch of food into the top of the water in different spots. Alternate between pellets and freeze dried foods for variety. Allow 2-3 minutes for your fish to consume the food. Add another pinch if they appear interested and the prior food was rapidly eaten.
Let Your Betta “Hunt”
In nature, bettas forage for falling insects at the water’s surface. Allow them this same hunting behavior by dropping one food bite at a time. This is more enriching than dumping a pile of food directly in front of them.
Remove Uneaten Food
Scoop out any food remaining after 5 minutes using a small net. Do not leave rotting foods inside a betta’s habitat.
The Proper Feeding Schedule Sets Up Your Betta For Success
Caring for betta fish is relatively simple thanks to their low maintenance reputation. However, appropriate feeding is crucial for your fish’s health and longevity. Now that you know how much and how often to feed bettas, you can set up an ideal feeding routine.
Follow the tips above to prevent over and underfeeding. Pay attention to visual signs of hunger and fullness from your fish as well. With the proper diet and feeding techniques, your betta friend will thrive for years in their home aquarium.