| Bettas are carnivorous. In the wild, they live off of | | | | to use. Remember that each Betta only needs about |
| insects and their larvae. Their mouth is designed to | | | | three pellets, and overfeeding will result in |
| snatch prey on the surface of the water, and their | | | | contamination of the tank. This is both because of |
| digestive tract is too short to metabolize most plants. | | | | food that rots and excess defecation from the |
| This means they are best suited for live food, but | | | | overfed fish. |
| they can adapt to flakes and frozen or freeze dried | | | | Some Bettas won't eat bloodworms, while others |
| foods. | | | | adore them. However, bloodworms are not a |
| If flake food is used, it should be supplemented by | | | | complete diet, and should be used as a treat or |
| frozen, freeze dried or live food. | | | | supplement for those fish that appreciate them. Most |
| Brine shrimp, Daphnia, plankton, tubifex, glassworms, | | | | say their Bettas prefer live food, but some believe |
| and beef heart are all good choices to feed Bettas, | | | | that too much live food can be bad for a Betta. |
| and are commonly available frozen or freeze dried. | | | | Let the Betta see the food coming. Drop the food |
| Note that Bettas can take up to a week to | | | | right in front of the fish, so he doesn't have to hunt |
| recognize a new food type, so you should keep the | | | | for it. If the food isn't eaten immediately, you should |
| staple food constant and supplement with treats and | | | | wait for the fish, but if it isn't consumed in 15 |
| other types of food occasionally. Most appear to | | | | minutes, remove it and try again later. Start small, |
| prefer a mix of brine shrimp and bloodworms for | | | | perhaps 6 brine shrimp, and if the Betta eats them all |
| their Bettas. | | | | and there is no sign of belly distention, and the fish |
| There are dedicated Betta foods on the market. | | | | still acts hungry, you may feed it a little more, but |
| These are usually pellets and should float on the | | | | the second feeding should be smaller. |
| surface for easy consumption. Hikari Betta Bio-Gold is | | | | There are products marketed at Betta vacation |
| well regarded, as are HBH Betta Bites and San | | | | foods, but results are mixed. Some appear to swear |
| Francisco Bay Brand Betta Food, which is essentially | | | | by them, while others complain of the overfeeding |
| freeze dried bloodworms. Other brands have | | | | issues listed above. |
| complaints about Bettas refusing to eat, inadequate | | | | Additionally, many fish foods claim to be color |
| nutrition and sinking pellets that Bettas can't consume | | | | enhancers. It appears the actual importance is proper |
| fast enough. | | | | nutrition and good conditions, so any good source of |
| With the Hikari Betta Bio-Gold, there are complaints | | | | nutrients would be about as effective in color |
| about the packaging, but the larger sizes are easier | | | | enhancement as any other. |