I feed my fish brine shrimp and flake food. And please don't say, "But bettas hate flake food!" because my betta has always loved flake food. Anyways, today I fed him, but he would barely eat! He would eat the flakes and spit them out, and try to eat the brine shrimp but still mostly he spit them out. He doesn't seem as active also. What is wrong with him? Does he just not want his food? Not hungry? Or health issue? Please help!
2006-09-24 01:25:07 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Possibly feeling the effects of occasional poor water quality which slowly poisons them. Don't feed him for three days (he can live without food for a week easy), do a water change no and again in three days. Consider adding salt for freshwater fish (one teaspoon for one gallon) which help protect the fish form health problems.
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2006-09-24 05:47:47 · answer #1 · answered by iceni 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is the bowl or tank clean? Bettas need a lot of fresh air. They aren't particularly energetic fish, but they DO move around, so if yours is showing signs of weirdness, he's not happy. Try putting him in a bigger tank or bowl(at least 1/2 to 1 gallon) and no plants right away. Don't keep him in the light, lke a window, or in hot, steamy or smokey areas, like a kitchen or bathroom. Don't cover the top of the tank, because bettas breath fresh air more than most fish do. Also, don't feed him too much, only a couple of each thing, not enough to make the water cloudy. If your water is cloudy or greenish, change it. Add a cup or so of fresh desalineated water every week to the bowl if it gets low. Good luck!
2006-09-24 10:26:33 · answer #2 · answered by misteri 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My betta did exactly the same thing. I thought he was dying, because he did this for months -- lethargic, then would eat food and spit it out. I kept trying and figured he would just be dead one day in the tank but guess what happened?
Spring and summer came, his water warmed up, and he went right back to normal. Although you don't mention where you live, I'd be willing to bet that it just got a little colder in your area, and his water is just cooling down. I'm not a fish expert, but as best as I can tell they must go a little dormant in the winter months to conserve energy. They probably need to do this in their natural habitat as well.
Water temperature must trigger it. In my case it was nothing to worry about -- cut back a little on his food when its cold, keep his water clean so the excess food won't foul the tank. Take care!
2006-09-24 08:41:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be many things, but chances are its the water. how long has it been since you've cleaned the tank and changed the water? bettas need a LOT of oxygen and if the water gets too dirty and full of bacteria they get sick and won't eat. try changing the water, but make sure to let it sit for 24 hours because it needs to be room temperature. that could also be it, betta really need the water to be room temp. just try changing the water, and let us know if that was it or not. Good Luck!
2006-09-24 16:33:27 · answer #4 · answered by Emily C 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fish really do not need to be fed as often as we think. One thing you can do to entice finicky eaters is to get yourself some garlic extract (like Kent Garlic eXtreme) or just make your own with a juicer if you have one.
Garlic is an appitite stimulant, and once fish get a wiff of it - trust me - they will eat.
But don't overfeed them either - they honestly only need to be fed every other day (if that much).
Good luck!
2006-09-24 10:47:52 · answer #5 · answered by sly2kusa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't panic.....sometimes fish do have their mood for eating. It could be the change in temperature, or they may have over-eaten from yesterday and hasn't released its' waste. Sometimes they can even go on without food for days or even weeks.....
2006-09-24 08:30:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like a health issue if it normally eats this food
2006-09-24 08:51:40 · answer #7 · answered by catlady 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stick your nose up to the glass, look at them, and make faces at them! Do this nonstop for a day and all will be fine!
2006-09-24 09:34:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it's ready for a chane that's all. Or maybe he is not hungry? He's fine! But my fish did that before he died, NO JOKE!
2006-09-24 09:18:52 · answer #9 · answered by Alicia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if your fish is old then it may be sick. My baby fish do that and they just seem to be nibbling on it and softening it up so that they can eat it.
2006-09-24 13:50:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋