Betta fish are carnivores that require a high level of protein to thrive. Their upturned mouths show what they prefer to feed on in the wild: insects and insect larvae floating on the water’s surface.
Betta food should primarily consist of live foods found in the water, such as mosquito larvae, brine shrimp and bloodworms. In addition to these, a betta’s diet should also consist of freeze-dried foods, flakes and pellets.
Contents
Protein
Bettas are primarily carnivores and require high protein foods. Fortunately, you can easily provide them with this vital nutritional support by feeding them brine shrimp.
To feed your betta brine shrimp optimally, supplement their pellets or flakes with it twice a week. This will satiate their carnivorous urges, provide extra protein, and give them the satisfaction of hunting live food!
When purchasing brine shrimp for your aquarium, there are three primary types: live, freeze-dried and frozen. Each has its own advantages and drawbacks so it’s essential to select the type that’s right for your betta!
Frozen brine shrimp is the most widely used form of brine shrimp. It’s convenient to store and can be used in various ways, though it doesn’t contain as many nutrients as live or freeze-dried varieties, so only use it occasionally. Furthermore, since bettas have short digestive tracts and cannot digest fillers such as corn or wheat very well, feeding them this type of food may cause them issues.
Vitamins
Brine shrimp (commonly referred to as opossum shrimp) make an excellent food choice for bettas. Not only can they be easily raised, but they’re packed full of essential vitamins, minerals and protein that bettas need in order to thrive!
These shrimp can be easily found at any local fish store and are delicious without causing digestive issues.
However, you should only feed your betta 3-4 times a week and never more than what they can eat in two minutes. Otherwise, you run the risk of introducing disease and illness to your fish.
A great way to provide nutrients and prevent constipation for your betta is to soak freeze-dried food in an aquatics multivitamin solution for a few minutes before feeding it. This will both pre-expand the food, as well as allow it to absorb beneficial nutrients found in aquarium water.
Amino acids
Live baby brine shrimp make excellent betta food because they provide protein, essential amino acids and fatty acids in a small but easily digestible package – perfect for newly hatched fish or picky eaters like bettas.
Amino acids are essential for your betta’s growth and well-being. They aid with muscle strength and development of a robust immune system.
They are rich in phosphorus and calcium which aid in the formation of healthy bones and tissues. Furthermore, they contain antioxidants which combat free radical damage to the body as well as Omega 3s and 6s essential for skin health and fins health.
Pellets are a popular option for betta food and can often serve as the main diet. To ensure quality results, look for pellets with few fillers and made with quality ingredients that sink quickly in your betta’s stomach, avoiding any potential bloating or digestive problems.
Fiber
When trying to decide what kind of food to feed your betta fish, brine shrimp is an excellent option. Not only does it contain high levels of protein that your betta will enjoy, but its high temperature also contributes to their happiness.
Furthermore, brine shrimp is packed with essential vitamins and amino acids to support your betta’s health. You can easily find it at the local fish store and use it as a staple food in your aquarium.
Additionally, providing your betta fish with this type of food once or twice a week will keep them in excellent health and prevent bloating. By offering them this kind of nutrition regularly, you can ensure their wellbeing is maintained.
