Bettas are carnivores that feed on small insects and larvae in their natural environment. When kept in captivity, it’s essential to provide them with a varied diet of foods.
Pellets, frozen and live foods are an ideal way to meet your betta’s nutritional requirements. Make sure you only choose high-quality pellets from reliable manufacturers for maximum benefit.
Contents
Pellets
Bettas are carnivorous fish that require a high protein diet to survive. They also enjoy feeding on insects and insect larvae, often sneaking up on creatures floating at the surface to take advantage of their upturned mouths. Bettas make excellent surface feeders, often sneaking up behind floating food to strike a pose for them.
As a general guideline, adult bettas should consume around 1.8 grams of food daily. This doesn’t have to mean that you must weigh out each type of food separately; rather, it is an appropriate amount that provides your fish with essential nutrition.
Pellets are a favorite choice for bettas because they’re small and bite-sized, fitting easily into their tiny stomachs. Pellets float on top of the tank, which bettas prefer over flaked foods that sink to the bottom.
Pellets should always be fed twice a day or at least once every week for your betta’s health. Be sure to soak the pellets prior to feeding them and immediately remove any uneaten food from your tank in order to prevent it from falling to the bottom and degrading water quality.
Live Food
If you can’t provide live food as your betta’s primary diet, pellets and flakes are the next best thing. Not only are they cost-effective and convenient to use, but they also supply essential nutrients your fish require.
Pellets come in various sizes and flavors to suit your betta’s preferences. Most pellets are floatable, meaning they won’t foul your tank.
Pellets are high in protein, helping your betta stay healthy and strong. Furthermore, pellets have a shelf life of months – perfect for months!
When feeding your betta, aim to provide it with 1.8 grams of food each day. This should be enough to maintain its weight and ensure it feels contented.
Frozen Food
Frozen betta fish food is an ideal substitute for live foods. It provides a wide variety of options and is a safe way to feed your betta without the risk of introducing parasites and disease.
However, be cautious when buying frozen betta food; some can be contaminated by bacteria or other organisms. Also, only take out as much food from the freezer for each feed and never refreeze if it has been thawed prior; doing so could encourage bacterial growth.
If you choose to feed your betta frozen foods, make sure it’s specifically designed for them. This way, they’ll get the proper balance of proteins, fats, fiber, phosphorus, carbohydrates and vitamins (A, D3, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12), along with essential fats like oil of palm kernel or flax seed oil.
Mosquito Larvae
Bettas are naturally insectivores, and mosquito larvae provide them with a reliable source of nutrition. Feeding your betta these tiny, edible insects is an excellent way to add variety to their diet and provide them with essential nutrition.
When feeding your betta live food, be sure to read the label carefully. Many brands suggest feeding a portion that is 1.8 grams larger than their eye size at least 1-3 times daily.
Frozen foods offer a convenient way to provide your fish with protein-rich meaty cubes that can easily be thawed and fed to your betta.
Alternatively, you can raise your own live food such as bloodworms, brine shrimp and daphnia. While this requires more effort than purchasing frozen or pelleted meals, it’s an effective way to keep your fish healthy and provide them with essential nutrients.
