I got a Betta yesterday for the first time! I love him, and he seems pretty happy--has been active, eating, and investigating his tank. However, I have read so many different things about how often to feed Bettas--everything from once a day to once every couple days to 2 or 3x a week. I got him Betta flakes and freeze-dried krill, and he'll eat both. I just need a sensible answer on how often I really need to feed him! Thanks!
2006-09-26 06:38:58 · 21 answers · asked by missd1975 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
every other day for the first two weeks. His home needs time to develop beneficial bacteria needed to convert his waste (ammonia) into less harmful nitrates (which you remove with water changes. I have a four year old Betta that I feed once a day Mon-Fri. I change 1/2 of the water on Friday and go away for the weekend, so he fasts on Saturday and Sunday.
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2006-09-26 06:43:23 · answer #1 · answered by iceni 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How often you feed him really depends on how much you feed him. Personally I feed 6 out of 7 days a small amount about the size of his eye ball. Thats said every other days isn't a bad thing either. Many people assume you will massively over feed and thus the 2-3 days a week advice.
The really way to gauge if you are feeding enough or too much by the size, and shape of his belly. See the link for pictures. Just note Faith's bettas are spoiled from birth when it comes to food.
2006-09-26 19:02:34 · answer #2 · answered by Sabersquirrel 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feed a very small amount twice daily to my fish. Betta fish are usually happy being fed once every other day to stay healthy. Alternate foods (flakes one feeding, krill the next), or use the freeze-dried krill as a treat so nothing gets boring. Consult the store you got the fish from, or do a little research online if you want a true expert's opinion.
2006-09-26 13:43:54 · answer #3 · answered by Sarah H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Feed him twice a day. However, feed him let`s say a flake then wait for him to completely eat it, then do the same with the krill. He won`t eat more than he needs to. He will soon stop eating at which time you must remove any uneaten food or it will cause problems with the water quality. He will not overfeed himself. I bred with bettas for years and the above method works fine.
Make sure you change his water every 3rd day by 50%. Use water that had been standing for 24 hours or add a conditioner.
2006-09-26 14:57:07 · answer #4 · answered by Cichlid 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem when I first got my Bettas. I was told to feed your fish once a day and only enough that he will eat. The food that he leaves behind will sink to the bottom of the tank, will began to rot and this could make your Betta sick. They get sick very easily. But there is a book called "Betta Care Made Easy" it gives you step by step information on how to take care of your Betta from how to feed him to what kind of tank he should be in. Go to http://www.bettafishcenter.com. I hope this helps you out. I love my Betta's too and will do whatever is necessary to keep them happy and healthy.
2006-09-26 14:20:27 · answer #5 · answered by Brande Iron 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Underfeeding your fish will help him live longer. By no means should you ever feed your fish as much as is 'directed' on the fish food packaging. They always want you to feed too much!
I feed my betta once every other day, as much as he can eat in 2 minutes. Do not over feed! Uneaten food can pollute an unfiltered fish bowl very quickly.
Three times a week is enough. No more than five feedings a week.
Good luck with him.
2006-09-26 13:49:36 · answer #6 · answered by crazyotto65 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 bettas'.
They each eat both Betta Flakes, and Freeze-dried Krill.
What I do, is I mix the flakes with the krill to where it's spread out evenly, and I put one pinch in each day.
They've been doing great.
I've had them for about 4 months, now. :)
I hope this helps!
2006-09-26 13:52:27 · answer #7 · answered by Jalena 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used this link when I got a new beta a while ago. I found it helped.
I used to feed my beta once a day about 4 to 5 pellets depending on the type of food I was giving it. Usually it says on the food how much. Good luck!
2006-09-26 14:47:10 · answer #8 · answered by FerymayGirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would feed mine once a day with 4 pellets. If you have your betta in a non-filtered bowl, I wouldn't go more than once a day.
If you have him in a filtered tank you can feed him more if you wish, but even then you have to be careful of ammonia and nitrate build up.
Good Luck and Take Care
2006-09-26 13:43:45 · answer #9 · answered by escapingmars 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Once a day. No more than that, and just a pinch. I killed our last Betta. I though my bf was being mean only feeding him once a day so I started feeding him more when bf wasn't looking. He died in just a few days of overfeeding. Bettas are gluttons. He should be able to eat what you give him in 2-3 minutes. If there is still food left after that, you are overfeeding him.
2006-09-26 13:43:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋