In their natural habitat, betta fish can be found in slow-moving or stagnant bodies of water such as rice paddies, streams, and even puddles during the wet season. This exposes them to a variety of prey like insect larvae and tiny shrimps.
This preference for protein-rich diets makes betta fish different from many other pet fish, which thrive on plant-based diets. However, meeting this dietary requirement doesn’t have to be complicated.
If you’re unsure about what to feed your betta fish, this guide will provide you with all the information you need. Let’s dive in…
What Do Betta Fish Eat?
Betta fish can consume a wide range of foods in captivity. While it might be convenient to opt for dried fish flakes or pellets, such diets can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
A better approach is to offer a diverse diet to ensure your pet receives a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. But what foods can betta fish eat?
Betta Fish Flakes & Pellets
One of the simplest and most affordable foods for betta fish is dried flakes or pellets. Due to their need for a higher protein intake, it’s advisable to choose food specifically designed for betta fish.
Betta fish have mouths that are slightly turned upwards, indicating their preference for surface feeding. Hence, floating pellets are ideal for them.
Bloodworms
Bloodworms, the larvae of midges, are a popular food choice for many fish species, including betta fish. While live bloodworms are preferred by some fish keepers, frozen or dried options are also available.
You can feed bloodworms to your betta fish in various forms, and observe which type they prefer. Live bloodworms are particularly enticing due to their movement in the water.
Tubifex
Tubifex worms, commonly known as sludge worms, are an alternative to bloodworms. While they were popular in the past, concerns about diseases have led to their decline in popularity. Frozen tubifex is now preferred by many fish keepers for safety reasons.
Daphnia
Daphnia, often called water fleas, are a cute and nutritious food option for betta fish. They are not parasitic and resemble tiny fleas when viewed closely.
Moina
Moina, a lesser-known cousin of daphnia, is a smaller alternative that is equally resilient. They can survive in low-oxygen or high-salt water conditions, making them a convenient food source.
Brine Shrimps
Brine shrimps, also known as Artemia, are rich in nutrients and appeal to betta fish due to their rhythmic swimming motion. You can buy live shrimps or hatch the eggs at home for a fresh supply.
Fairy Shrimps
Fairy shrimps, found in seasonal pools, are a unique food source that doesn’t require salt for hatching. Keeping a supply of fairy shrimp eggs can provide your fish with live prey effortlessly.
Opossum Shrimps
Opossum shrimps, also known as Mysis, are freeze-dried for convenience. These tiny shrimps can be scattered on the surface of the tank for betta fish to enjoy.
Copepods
Copepods, aquatic arthropods, are popular among marine fish keepers for their dual benefits of being a food source and tank cleaners. While they require saltwater to hatch, copepods can be a valuable addition to your betta fish’s diet.
Wingless Fruit Flies
Flightless fruit flies are a convenient food source that can be easily added to your betta fish tank. These insects are a nutritious option that doesn’t fly away, ensuring your fish can feed on them.
Hatchling Crickets
Hatchling crickets, also known as pinheads, are a suitable live food option for betta fish. They can be fed alongside vegetable matter to ensure their health and longevity.
Bean Weevils
Bean weevils are tiny insects that feed on dried beans and can be a valuable food source for your betta fish. Simply add them to your tank for a convenient live food option.
Baby Mealworms
Smaller mealworms, the larvae of the flour beetle, can be a suitable food option for betta fish. They are easy to breed and provide a nutritious meal for your fish.
Earthworms
Soft and juicy earthworms are a natural food choice that betta fish may enjoy. While collecting worms from your garden is an option, commercially-bred earthworms are a safer choice to prevent disease transmission.
Live vs. Dead Invertebrates for Betta Fish
Many of the best foods for betta fish are invertebrates, which can be purchased in various forms. Live, freeze-dried, and frozen options are available, each with its own benefits. Ultimately, the choice between live and preserved foods depends on personal preference and convenience.
Can Betta Fish Eat Tropical Fish Flakes?
While tropical fish flakes are a common and cost-effective food option, they may not provide the ideal nutrition for betta fish in the long run. Betta fish require a diet higher in protein, so specially-designed betta fish food is recommended for their optimal health.
What About Other Foods?
When it comes to feeding betta fish, questions often arise about feeding them human foods. Let’s address two common questions:
Can Betta Fish Eat Bread?
Feeding bread to betta fish is not recommended, as it lacks essential nutrients and can lead to digestive issues. A diet rich in protein is crucial for betta fish, so it’s best to stick to their natural food sources.
Can Betta Fish Eat Lettuce?
While lettuce is not toxic to betta fish, it may not provide sufficient protein for their dietary needs. It can be given as an occasional treat, but should not be a staple in their diet.
Feeding Tips for Betta Fish
In addition to choosing the right foods, how you feed your betta fish is equally important for their well-being. Here are some tips:
Regular, Small Meals
Avoid overfeeding and aim for small, frequent meals to prevent food waste and maintain water quality in the tank. Adjust the feeding amount based on your fish’s consumption to find the right balance.
Use a Feeding Cone
To prevent food items like bloodworms from escaping before your fish can eat them, consider using a feeding cone. This device allows the food to be contained at the surface for easy consumption by your betta fish.
Variety is Crucial
Offering a diverse diet ensures your betta fish receives all the necessary nutrients for optimal health. While having staple foods is convenient, incorporating different invertebrate prey regularly is essential.
Floating Vs Sinking Betta Fish Food
Betta fish prefer feeding at the water’s surface, so choose foods that float to encourage natural feeding behavior. Sinking foods may be less appealing to betta fish and can lead to uneaten food accumulating in the tank.
Clean Up Afterwards
Remove any uneaten food promptly to prevent water contamination and maintain a clean environment for your betta fish. Floating foods are easy to scoop out, while sinking foods may require an aquarium vacuum for removal.
How Much Food Should I Give My Betta Fish?
Proper portion control is essential to prevent overfeeding and maintain water quality. Feed your betta fish small amounts at a time, observing their consumption to adjust the feeding quantity accordingly. Multiple small meals throughout the day are preferable to large meals that can lead to food waste.
My Betta Fish Won’t Eat Anything – What Should I Do?
If your betta fish is refusing to eat, consider checking the tank conditions, looking for signs of illness, assessing tank mates, offering a variety of foods, providing privacy during feeding, trying different feeding times, and ensuring you’re not overfeeding. By addressing these factors, you can encourage your betta fish to eat and maintain their health.