When first starting a tank with betta fry, it’s essential to understand what they can and cannot eat. Doing this will keep your betta healthy and contented.
In the early weeks of a betta’s life, they feed on infusoria. This natural food source for young fish provides them with essential protein and fat for growth.
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Infusoria
Infusoria is one of the ideal foods for newly hatched fry. It’s easy to grow and provides essential nutrition during your fish’s early days.
Make infusoria easily: simply fill a clean jar with water from an established aquarium, add greens or vegetables, and allow to sit for 3-4 days in a sunny location. Voila! Your infusoria has begun to sprout!
Once your infusoria is ready to feed, siphon small amounts from the jar and feed your betta fry three times a day. As they grow larger and more tolerant to different types of food, gradually transition them onto larger fish food sources.
Vinegar Eels
Beginner fishkeepers might find vinegar eels to be an ideal starter food. These tiny live creatures require minimal culture and care, making them one of the smallest live foods you can feed fry.
Starting a culture is as easy as soaking apple slices in equal parts unpasteurized apple cider vinegar and water. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-made starter cultures.
Micro Worms
Micro Worms are a popular first food choice for tiny fry such as bettas, angelfish, guppies and neon tetras. Not only are they easy to culture at home but it can also increase fry survival rates.
To culture microworms, you’ll need a small container, active yeast and some oats. Mix the oats with just enough boiling water until it reaches a thick and creamy consistency. Finally, add a few drops of baker’s yeast for flavor!
Banana Worms
Banana Worms (Panagrellus napenthicola) are an ideal food choice for betta fry. They’re small enough to fit easily in fry’s mouths and provide them with essential proteins and nutrients to grow strong and healthy.
They’re also easy to cultivate and keep healthy. Just remember to re-culture them every few weeks or so!
Walter Worms
Walter worms make a great food for newly hatched fish fry, as they’re small enough to consume and suitable for many varieties including killifish, guppies, betas, gouramis, tetras, barbs and danios – plus many more!
Cultivating plants at home is a straightforward process with some basic methods. Alternatively, you can purchase them online or from a pet store.
Baby Brine Shrimp
If you’re searching for a safe and healthy food to feed your betta fry, baby brine shrimp is an excellent choice. Not only do they provide plenty of protein for these filter feeders, but they are easily digestible as well.
Brine shrimp are not the ideal option for betta fry because they lack essential nutritional value. That is why it is important to provide them with a variety of other foods in addition to brine shrimp.
Daphnia
Daphnia are microscopic organisms found in freshwater lakes and ponds. Their carapace is made up of polysaccharides called chitin, while their legs have flattened ends.
Betta keepers can feed their fish Daphnia to help them develop muscle strength. Furthermore, water fleas are beneficial in that they consume bacteria, algae, and yeast from the tank water.
Daphnia is an ideal food for betta fry due to its low caloric and protein content. Plus, this food provides ample roughage.
Frozen Foods
Frozen foods are an ideal choice for feeding betta fry. They provide a variety of proteins, closely mimicking their natural diet.
They provide essential vitamins for their health, but should only be fed to them after three to four weeks old.
Once your betta fish reach three to four weeks old, feed them finely grated frozen food like bloodworms and daphnia. This will provide them with plenty of protein that will promote rapid growth.
Pellets
Betta pellets are an ideal way to feed your betta fry. They’re easily digestible and provide essential nutrients.
Pellets can also be made with high-quality ingredients at lower costs than live foods, and they’re easier to locate at pet stores.
Generally, you should give your betta fry between 4 and 6 pellets daily; however, this number may differ depending on the manufacturer of the pellets.
