I can't get my beta fish to eat. He's been doing this for a few weeks. I'm afraid he will die. Because this is the only beta fish I'll ever get. Any tips to make him eat.
2006-07-14 03:12:03 · 9 answers · asked by keℓsey<3 4 in Pets ➔ Fish
First, avoid the temptation to overfeed. Overfeeding can cause the quality of the water to drop dramatically in a short period of time and end up making your fish sick, or even killing it if proper water changes are not performed.
I'm assuming you feed him the type of pellets that are most common in pet stores. They could be too big or too hard for him to take. I would suggest switching to a flake food at least for a little while. Betta's are hardy and can last a long time without much food, so don't panic while you try and figure this out (that isn't to say you shouldn't get flake food as soon as you can, but just don't freak out). I would also try getting a container of blood worms, or another freeze-dried food to supplement the flakes from time to time.
Niether flakes nor bloodworms are very expensive, and you should be able to get both at most pet stores, just ask if you can't find them. The bloodworms are a healthy treat for the fish, and are especially good if it has gone a few days without eating. Between the two, he should at least like one of them and should be fine.
Only feed once a day. His lack of eating could also be caused by poor water quality or disease. Take a good look at him and make sure his fins still look fine, there's not cuts on his body, and no white/cloudy spots or patches on him. Also, you said he hasn't been eating for a few weeks, so I'm assuming you've had him for longer than that. You probably should have done at least three water changes by now, so if you haven't even done one, that could be part of the problem. Remember to add something like stress coat, or a betta tablet, or make sure there's no chlorine in the water when you change it.
2006-07-14 05:26:24 · answer #1 · answered by Right On 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
Bettas are notorious for being finicky eaters. However, I have news for you. He is eating. If this has been going on for weeks and he wasn't eating, he'd be dead by now. He's just eating when he wants to, as opposed to when you feed him. Bettas are ust like that sometimes.
You didn't say what type of food you are feeding him, but I suggest getting food designed specifically for bettas. Some bettas don't like regular flake food, although if you put them in a community tank with some other (non betta) fish they will adapt to it.
I use something called "betta bites". They float for a while in case he's hungry right away, then gradually sink so he can pick them off the bottom at his leisure. Don't put a lot of food in the bowl either; overfeeding's not good for him and will also foul the water. I just do a little pinch, once a day. If he gets hungry, he will eat. So relax.
Hope this helped.
2006-07-14 04:26:56 · answer #2 · answered by answerman63 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well...how long have you had your beta? A lot of times, when you first get a beta, they are used to one kind of food. when you switch beta food it can take up to a week for the beta to accept the food and start eating. I wouldn't worry about it, they can go a long time without food...and if he's hungry he'll eat
2006-07-14 03:15:43 · answer #3 · answered by Jamie J 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a beta fish is more commonly refered to as a japenese fighting fish, what an idiot the guy above me is, i agree change foods, then if not find a fish dr.
2006-07-14 03:21:21 · answer #4 · answered by tskstorm 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Betta's stomach is actually smaller than its eyeball. He may be eating food residue from the bottom of the tank. Betta's enjoy live foods like mosquito larvae, i have also fed mine small minnows. If you have access to it try that.
2006-07-14 03:27:01 · answer #5 · answered by Cerabear 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
betas love the frozen shrimp at the fish shop.try that. and if your beta hasn't eaten for two weeks it would be dead.
2006-07-14 05:11:56 · answer #6 · answered by Ruth S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure the Betta will consume the goldfish nutrition it is not as nutritious even nonetheless it is going to maintain the fish. you ought to yet tropical fish nutrition and combine the two via one section goldfish nutrition to 2 aspects of tropical fish nutrition. (Flakes)
2016-10-07 22:05:47 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try talking to him when you feed him. get his attention. if he still won't eat, call petco or some other pet place, and tell them what is wrong with him. they will help you by probably giving you some drops to put in his bowl. trust me.
2006-07-14 03:34:30 · answer #8 · answered by Mrs.♥Patrick♥ Stump♥ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Change food. If he still doesn't, maybe he's sick.
2006-07-14 03:15:32 · answer #9 · answered by spot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋