Bettas tend to be picky eaters and will often refuse certain foods. Therefore, providing them with a varied menu helps prevent them from becoming bored.
One of the simplest ways to accomplish this is by offering fresh foods periodically. Examples include offering boiled peas, cucumber or zucchini, lettuce or spinach for breakfast.
Contents
Peas
If your betta fish is feeling bloated, constipated, or has swim bladder disease, try feeding it peas once a week. The fiber in the pea helps flush out their stomach quickly so you can get them back to normal quickly.
Caution: Avoid canned peas as they often contain sodium and preservatives. Fresh peas can also be used, just make sure to thoroughly wash them before feeding them to your betta fish.
Green peas are an excellent way to increase fiber in your fish’s diet. However, be mindful not to overfeed them as too much fiber may lead to bloating and other digestive issues.
If you’re trying to get your betta fish to eat peas, start with a small amount and increase it gradually over time. Additionally, mix in other foods they typically eat in order to increase their interest in the new food item.
Cucumber or Zucchini
If you want to introduce cucumber or zucchini into your fish’s diet, start by dropping a small piece into the tank and seeing if your betta fish enjoys it. However, if they don’t eat it, don’t fret too much; these vegetables aren’t an essential part of their natural diet and should only be given as an occasional treat.
Cucumbers and zucchinis are gourds from the Cucurbita family, along with pumpkins and squashes. Both have cylindrical shapes with dark green skin and pale flesh, although cucumbers tend to be shorter in height than zucchinis.
They can be eaten raw, cooked, or as a pickle. Both fruits make refreshing additions to salads and refreshing drinks alike.
Cucumbers have a refreshing crunch when eaten raw, with mildly-flavored flesh that’s juicy and sweet. Zucchinis on the other hand offer more substance with bitter flesh; cooking can bring out their sweetness.
Lettuce or Spinach
Lettuce is an excellent addition to fish diets, being high in vitamin C. However, it should be boiled or steamed prior to adding it to the tank so that it softens up and becomes easier for your betta fish to consume.
Spinach is an excellent vegetable for betta fish, packed with vitamins A and K. To give it the maximum benefit, blanche or finely chop before feeding it to your fish; raw spinach may be too hard for them to digest.
Betta fish may enjoy vegetables such as sweet potato, cabbage and zucchini. Not only are these low in calories but packed with beta carotene and other antioxidants.
Meat from farm animals like chicken, beef and pork should not be fed to bettas as these may have been raised using antibiotics or other additives that could be hazardous for your fish.
Bacon should also not be fed to your betta fish due to its cure with additives that may upset their stomachs. These foods should only be given in small amounts as an occasional treat for your betta fish.
Sweet Corn
Sweet corn is an ideal snack for betta fish, and it also provides them with protein. Boiled sweet corn kernels can be fed to your betta once or twice a week as part of their food rotation.
However, it’s essential to remember this is only a treat and should not be fed as part of your betta’s daily diet. Before feeding them to your betta, boil the kernels, remove their outer shell and cut them into small pieces before giving them as a meal.
Peas are an ideal food to give your betta. Not only do they contain fiber, but it can also help prevent bloating and constipation.
Boiling peas and taking off their skin makes them much easier for bettas to digest. Additionally, be sure to remove any seeds before feeding your betta.
