If your betta is not eating his food, you might have one of several problems. It could be due to stress, poor water quality, or other factors. If your betta is not eating at all, you may also have problems related to Parasites, Swim bladder disease, or poor water quality. Listed below are a few common causes of not-eating-betta fish.
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Stress
If your betta fish doesn’t eat his food, you might have a serious problem on your hands. It may have just been moved to a new tank or has experienced a recent change in diet or habitat. If this is the case, you should try to figure out what is causing the problem and take steps to fix it. If you cannot figure out the cause, try one of the tips below.
One of the most common reasons why your betta fish is not eating his food is because of stress. Betta fish are solitary creatures and don’t have the safety in numbers like goldfish do. They are also infamous for fighting, and if you house two males in the same tank, they will fight to the death. After a fight, your betta fish won’t eat anything.
Poor water quality
There are many reasons your betta may not be eating. It could be poor water quality, overfeeding, or an environment that is too small for your betta. Two males in a tank will cause increased stress for both of them. Females will squabble over food sources, and two males in a tank will increase their stress. When new betta fish enter the tank, they are also stressed from transport and their surroundings.
If you notice white patches on your betta’s body, it is possible that your betta has a fungal infection or rotting fins. In this case, treat your betta with malachite green and provide live food. If your betta continues to show signs of poor water quality, you should consider having him examined by a vet.
Parasites
If your betta fish does not seem to be eating, he may be ill. Symptoms of illness may include lethargy, unusual swimming patterns, white spots on his body, and tattered fins. Several illnesses are preventable, but many of these infections can’t be cured without medical intervention. Improper water quality can also cause infections, like Popeye and Dropsy.
The best thing to do is quarantine your fish and offer him a suitable diet. Live worms are messy and can potentially contaminate the ecosystem of your aquarium, so it’s best to buy cultured ones instead. California black worms are particularly nutritious and taste great. However, you should avoid feeding your fish insects that you collected from your garden because they may contain trace amounts of insecticide.
Swim bladder disease
One of the first things to do when you suspect your betta has Swim Bladder Disease is quarantine him in a different tank, preferably one that is dark and not too cold or warm. The temperature of the quarantine tank should be 80 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer, as this will speed up the digestive process for your betta. If your betta still refuses to eat, check to see if he is improving.
A swollen belly is a sign that your betta is constipated. To correct this, you must fast your betta for three days and then feed him blanched peas or frozen daphnia to make him lax. The swim bladder is the organ that controls the position of your fish in the water column. Damaged swim bladders can lead to constipation or fatty deposits in the fish’s bladder.
Stress from a move
Your betta fish may be too stressed to eat. It may be undergoing jetlag or a large move, and he’s also stressed about the new environment. Whether it’s a move or just stress in general, make sure you give your fish some time to adjust to his new surroundings. Leave the lights off for several days, and feed him twice a day, making sure to remove his food every five to ten minutes.
One possible cause for your betta fish to stop eating is moving. It can take several weeks for him to get used to his new aquarium. Once he has adjusted to the new environment, he will resume eating. Be sure to provide your betta with a secure, calm place to live. Also, try not to disturb him with loud noises around the tank.
Mold or fungus
The first thing to do if you suspect your betta is infected is to quarantine him in a separate aquarium. This prevents any infection from spreading to other fish or plants in the tank. If your betta is already infected, quarantine him in a separate tank for at least a week before allowing him back into the main aquarium.
You may notice the fungus growing on the fish’s body by observing it. However, fungus is a rare occurrence in bettas. In most cases, it affects dead tissue, such as scales and intestines. Luckily, it is also easy to spot in its early stages. Symptoms include white patches on the head and body, and your betta may even be rubbing on objects in the aquarium. Other symptoms of fungus growth include general illness, loss of appetite, lethargy, and clamped fins.
