How to Feed a Betta Fish

Betta fish are a fun and beautiful pet that can provide enjoyment for all that keep them. Knowing just how to feed them is a very key role in their health and happiness. It may sound simple; yet feeding bettas takes a little skill and knowledge.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Fresh, clean tank water
• Food pellets specifically for betta fish
• Food variations for bettas

1. Ensure that the betta fish have a clean and fresh water supply at all times. Their tanks must be kept tidy and free of impurities, as this species is very susceptible to disease and death from waterborne bacteria.

2. Make sure that the betta sees his food entering the tank. Bettas prefer eating from the top of the tank and from the top of the water column. Drop the food at his nose when he sees it.

3. Bettas are very finicky eaters and should have a diet that includes betta specific food pellets, yet they also enjoy brine shrimp and frozen bloodworms. Ensure that the betta is given perhaps 6 to 7 brine shrimp at a time. If all are eaten, give him a smaller second portion.

4. Feed the betta fish more during times of pre-spawning. During this time the betta fish can eat blackworms, fruit flies and mosquito larvae. Feed the fish no more than 4 times a day.

5. Encourage small, betta fish fry (newborn bettas) to eat only after they are 5 days old. Feed them several times a day with baby brine shrimp or boiled egg yolk.

Tips & Warnings

• When the betta has finished eating all that it can and has settled, remove any uneaten portion of food left in the tank.

• Never over-feed betta fish. This can lead to unhealthy conditions for the tank and for the fish.

• Take care not to introduce any human contaminants into the tank. It is best to drop the food into the tank for the fish to see as opposed to putting an entire hand into the tank to get its attention.

Resources

• Find a wonderful betta fish blog here.
• Here is a pet care website with betta tips.