Bettas are omnivores, meaning they require protein-rich food to survive. This could include pellets, frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp.
Bettas should be fed three soaked pellets or worms daily, and it’s also important to give them a break from food every few days.
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Feeding Schedule
Bettas are carnivorous and must eat meat-based foods like pellets, flakes or freeze-dried items.
Typically, bettas need two to three pellets/flakes/worms daily. It is beneficial to switch up their diet occasionally; otherwise they could get bored with eating the same thing all of the time and it’s essential that their diet remains varied.
Generally, 1.8 grams of your betta’s preferred food should be provided daily – though this amount doesn’t need to be exact. It’s wise to weigh out their food every so often so you can see exactly how much they’re eating.
Protein
Protein is an essential nutrient your body uses to build new cells and regulate metabolism. According to MedlinePlus, you should aim to obtain 10 to 35 percent of your daily calories from protein sources.
Betta fish are primarily carnivorous, so they require a diet rich in protein for proper growth. Additionally, it’s essential to provide them with an array of foods to meet their varying nutrient requirements.
Bettas in the wild typically feed on insects and insect larvae that float or have fallen into the water. Feeding them this type of food helps them thrive in their home aquariums.
Fat
Your betta’s diet, both animal and vegetable, plays a significant role in their health and wellbeing.
Bettas are omnivores, meaning they thrive when given a balance of both plant and animal proteins. This means 75-90% of their diet should consist of meat-based flakes or dried or fresh feed, with the remainder made up of easily digestible plants.
Bettas require a variety of foods to stay healthy. This includes pelleted betta food, frozen and dried diets, vegetables, as well as treats such as frozen mysis or brine shrimp.
Fibre
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends a diet that provides 25 to 35 grams of fibre daily, which can be achieved through whole grains, fruits and vegetables, nuts, legumes and seeds.
Insoluble fiber encourages the movement of material through the digestive tract, which may help alleviate constipation and irregular stools.
Soluble fiber, found in fruits, berries, legumes and some cereals, absorbs water and helps with blood sugar control and weight management.
If you’re uncertain how much fiber your betta needs, feed them more than they usually consume and remove the extra food after two to three minutes. This helps them regulate their hunger levels and keeps food from spoiling in the tank.
Water
When caring for a betta, its size and age should be taken into consideration. Younger bettas require less water than older ones, though you should still make sure the tank is large enough to meet all their requirements.
It’s essential to remember that bettas are carnivores and require a high protein diet. The recommended allowance is 1.8 grams of protein per centimetre of fish.
It’s best to purchase pellets specifically designed for bettas. These should contain dried meats like brine shrimp, krill or fish.
