I bought a betta fish from a local pet store, and he won't eat anything. I had him for 5 day’s and he still won't eat. He doesn’t move around much , but other then that he doesn’t have signs of any illnesses.
2007-02-08 10:57:49 · 13 answers · asked by A 5 in Pets ➔ Fish
Try putting a live plant in with him, cabomba or anachris are good options.
Betta fish are surface breathers so dirty water is not likely the cause.
2007-02-08 11:08:04 · answer #1 · answered by tylw85 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would recommend this:
Check the temperature. It should be over 70 and below 90. Anywhere in there is fine for a betta.
Make sure he is in at least 1/2 gallon of water.
Make sure the bowl or tank has dark gravel or is over a dark surface.
Make sure you have used dechlorinator in the water.
If all of these are met and he still will not eat the food the shop recommended, call them and plan to return the fish unless they can offer you additional suggestions. If they offer more suggestions, follow them and return the fish if it does. That way you can tell them you did exactly as they said and the fish still died and they know you cared enough to call.
2007-02-08 19:51:16 · answer #2 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Betta fish can be pretty picky eaters. If he isn't eating the brand of food that you bought, try another brand. Even though the food bits may look the same to you, they may be different to him. Also, he may not be feeling well from being in that little container in the store. I think you should try the other food. If it doesn't help, or you don't want to, then take him back to the store and see if they will let you exchange him. If you do exchange him, ask them what brand of food they feed their bettas. Good luck!! I hope you fishie is feeling better very soon.
2007-02-08 22:01:51 · answer #3 · answered by Rachel T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Often after you take a fish home it won't eat for a few days. This can go on for a few days or a few weeks. What are you feeding him?
Pellets are the best you can offer (next to FROZEN bloodworms. Freeze-dried options are worthless, its like feeding your fish potato chips.) Flakes don't offer great nutrition, but they are better than freeze-dried foods. I recommend any of the pellets by HGH.
What do you have him in? Is it a gallon or more? Is the temperature correct? Cold water will cut down on their inactivity.
Don't just take him back to the store (= dead fish.) He's most likely just fine and trying to get used to his new surroundings. Fish are a lot like people, if you plop them into a place they've never been before... they can get a little scared.
2007-02-08 19:32:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like it has a cold. If you want to take it back and get another betta that would be wise. If not then you can take it to the vet. Maybe it is because it moved from one place to the other? My betta used to do this (not eat) when I changed his water. He would not eat for 2 days, I called him my emo betta. Good luck. I would give your betta 1 more day.
2007-02-08 19:22:24 · answer #5 · answered by Jill 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
try feeding him frozen blood worms. you buy them in little cubes and thaw it out and you can keep them for a couple days in a baby food jar or something in the fridge. the best thing to do if they aren't eating is get some tweezers and hold one of them right by his head. once he bites at it you can let go. you might have to do this for a while until he recognizes you as a source of food. then he will probably eat his pellets but until then he might just eat bloodworms. some bettas are just kind of slow -- lots of inbreeding.
2007-02-08 22:30:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you have a heat light if not he may be cold, is their another fish in their he could be scared of, maybe you need to get a different kind of food ,call the pet store to see if they may be able to advise you on his care. good luck hope hes OK.
2007-02-08 19:09:47 · answer #7 · answered by deedee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
please take him back to the store and get a new one. The store will understand. he is most probably sick. If the water conditions are right, he should be eating and swimming around.
I've had bettas for a long time.
2007-02-08 19:01:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
try using a different food, if he still doesn't eat then return him and get a new one.
2007-02-12 02:52:12 · answer #9 · answered by Benjamin L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all u have to do is if its flakes dont use them they wont eat flakes. battas only eat bloodworms and the other thing u can find these at ur local walmart.
2007-02-08 19:10:51 · answer #10 · answered by blahblah 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋