When it comes to choosing fish for your aquarium, betta fish are among the top choices. They are strikingly beautiful and attractive fish. They get along well with their own kind, but not so well with other species of fish. This is why betta fish are mostly kept apart from other fish.
Even so, taking care of betta fish isn’t difficult at all, and people do choose to keep them.
If you are planning on having a betta fish in your aquarium, you should know what it eats. This way you can feed it accordingly and also take good care of it.
Speaking of food, this article covers all the bases about what betta fish eat. So, let’s dive in and find out what do betta fish eat.
What Constitutes a Betta Fish Diet?
Naturally, betta fish are carnivores and they regularly feed on insects and larvae in the wild. If you know what they eat, it will be easier to take care of them.
Like all carnivores, betta fish also eat a lot of protein. You may have read or heard somewhere that they can do just fine on the roots of plants. However, this can actually be harmful to them.
For betta fish inside the aquarium, you can buy high-protein betta fish pellets that are easily available in pet stores.
Make sure that you choose a formula that is only for betta fish and not any other species. This is because each fish has different nutritional and dietary requirements. These pellets and flakes provide your fish with just the right amount of nutrients and protein.
Every now and then, you can treat your betta fish to freeze-dried and frozen foods that are high in protein. These can be brine shrimp and bloodworms, as well as white worms, fruit flies, mosquito larvae, daphnia, fairy shrimp, Moina, and many others.
However, these should only be administered as treats and not regular food. They should be given in small amounts occasionally.
As important as it is to know what your betta fish eat, it is also crucial to know how much you should feed them.
How to Feed Your Betta Fish?
To ensure that your fish eats properly, you must give them two to four pellets. These can be given one or two times a day. These pellets swell up when they come in contact with water. This is why they are sufficient to keep your betta fish well-fed for quite some time.
When it comes to freeze-dried or frozen food, you can incorporate it into their diet only once or twice per week.
When you feed your betta fish, there should be no leftovers in the aquarium. This is because the leftover pellets sink to the bottom of the aquarium and severely affect the water quality if they aren’t removed in time.
Therefore, make sure to put only as many pellets as your betta fish would eat. If you have 3 fish, then there shouldn’t be more than 10-12 pellets in the aquarium.
Since betta fish don’t have to be fed as much as other species of fish, they are generally easier to take care of. Just make sure not to overfeed them, as it can cause bloating and constipation in their stomachs.
Can Betta Fish Eat Human Food?
Every once in a while, you may run out of fish food and the local pet store may also be closed. There is no reason to worry, as you can feed them human food as well. However, you have to be careful about what kind of food you give them, otherwise, they can fall sick.
Since betta fish require high-protein food, you can give them human food that is high in protein. But, it can only be given as a supplement or treat. Make sure not to make it a regular part of their diet. The thing to remember is that betta fish come from the wild, even if they are your pets.
Can Betta Fish Eat Vegetables?
This is a common question that most fish owners often ask from fish experts. You can give your betta fish peas from time to time. These are high in fiber and can also be useful for treating bloating and constipation. However, you can’t give them frozen peas.
Since peas have a hard texture, they have to be boiled and softened, and then cut into quarters. This way, they will be able to swallow and digest them better. The main thing to remember is that betta fish have a tiny stomach. This is why you can’t overfeed them.
Plus, you can also feed your betta fish some green vegetables, such as lettuce, cucumbers, spinach, and zucchini. Their tiny stomachs can easily accommodate and digest these vegetables comfortably. However, betta fish are generally picky eaters, so if you see them passing on these vegetables, it doesn’t mean that something is wrong with them.
Just like peas, you should boil all the aforementioned vegetables before giving them to your betta fish. You can even replace peas with sweet corn, provided that you have mashed it beforehand.
You might also be tempted to give them beans, carrots, cabbage, or broccoli, but don’t. Firstly, they won’t be able to chew and digest these vegetables. These can cause them to become bloated and constipated.
Can Betta Fish Eat Fruits?
Betta fish are known to react fondly towards sweet fruits like mangoes, bananas, or melons. However, not all of them feel the same way, so you won’t know anything until you try.
Since these fruits are soft, you can cut them up into tiny pieces and drop them in the aquarium. If the fish start to gobble them up, you can give them a few more pieces, but not too much.
However, don’t leave any uneaten piece of fruit for more than 20 minutes, as it rots faster than most fish food.
Conclusion
Like any pet, you are responsible for caring for your betta fish. You have to know about their dietary and nutritional requirements before you bring them home. This way you can keep them in a healthy environment.
In captivity, betta fish can live anywhere between 2 to 5 years, so if you take great care of them, they may even live longer.