Bettas are a very unique fish with a very specific set of needs. They are Labyrinth fishes, which means they have a special organ called the Labyrinth that helps them breathe. Since they require highly oxygenated water, Bettas should be kept in smaller tanks with filtered water, a higher temperature and artificial light (fluorescent blue or green) to keep them happy and healthy. As peculiar as their living conditions are for Betta fish, the same can be said about their eating habits. One might even call them fussy eaters. Luckily for these beautiful fish, there is an easy way to help control the problem: their diet. The following article will give you some tips on what not to feed your betta food as well as what they love to eat.
What to Avoid When Feeding Your Betta
As we mentioned earlier, Bettas are fussy eaters and also prone to digestive issues. This means you should avoid feeding them anything that could upset their stomachs and exacerbate the problem. Generally, this means avoiding high-protein foods such as fish, shrimp and worms. Don’t feed your Betta any of these foods. High protein worms that are high in fat. Too much protein leads to ammonia buildup in the water.
Too high in fat, which can lead to fatty liver disease. Too high in vitamin A, which can cause issues when mixed with water that has too few minerals. Bettas also have very small mouths so food should be smaller than the distance between their eyes. This is because their mouths are very small, so it is easier for them to pick up food that is smaller than their eyes.
What Betta’s Love to Eat
Feeding your Betta the right amounts of the right types of food can be the difference between an uneventful life and an early grave. That being said, there are some foods that Betta fish loves to eat. These include:
Bread/crackers: While not exactly the healthiest option, most Betta fish will gobble up this tasty snack. A slice of white bread is the best kind to feed them, but you can also use saltine crackers. Just make sure they are plain and unsalted. Bread is very easy to digest and has the perfect amount of vitamins and minerals for Betta fish. Betta fish also love to eat oatmeal and other grains, but they contain too much iron which is bad for Betta fish. Betta fish also love some greens such as green lettuce and broccoli.
Foods That Are Okay to Feed Your Betta
If you have read the above section and thought to yourself, “Well, that isn’t very helpful”, don’t worry. There are a few safe options you can feed your Betta fish that won’t upset their delicate digestive system. Some examples include: Bettas also love to eat a wide variety of dried seaweed. Betta fish also love to eat live worms that are specially bred for Betta fish. This is a great option because it gives your Betta fish a more natural diet, as well as exercise. Betta fish also love to eat pellets as well.
How and Where to Feed Your Betta
One of the most important things to remember when feeding your Betta is that they can starve to death while they are waiting for their food to get to their stomach. This can happen because Betta fish have a very short digestive tract, so food is usually on its way out just as it is entering. Betta fish are surface feeders, which means they prefer to eat floating food.
When choosing a food for your Betta fish, make sure it floats so your fish can easily get to it. Betta fish also prefer smaller pellets and flakes, as well as smaller pieces of dried seaweed. Betta fish also love to eat live worms that are specially bred for Betta fish.
Conclusion
If you are a Betta owner, you have probably experienced their unique eating habits. But that doesn’t mean you have to accept them! You can feed your Betta the right foods to ensure a happy and healthy fish that lives a long, fruitful life. Hopefully, the above information will help you easily and successfully feed your Betta.
