How often do you feed a Siamese fighting fish? (aka betta)?

Question

hey, i just got a Siamese fighting fish and i forgot to ask the pet shop how often to feed it, can anybody possibly help me and recommend how often? right now i am feeding it twice a day.

Answer 1

Twice a day is fine IF you're not overfeeding. I feed mine about 2 or 3 flakes once a day. If you're feeding pellets, 2 a day is probably enough.

You'll know if you're overfeeding if there is leftover food on the bottom of the tank.

Answer 2

Bettas need a high protein diet because they are carnivores in the wild. They should be fed once a day just like any other tropical fish. Feed only as much as they can eat in 2-3 minutes, any more is just wasted.

I feed mine BettaMin flakes by Tetra Corporation and give them treats of frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp once or twice a week.

IMHO, pellets are not good for bettas and should not be given to them unless you soak the pellets in their tank water to soften them before feeding. I have had more than one betta die from a digestive problem while feeding pellets, but since I switched to flakes years ago, not one has had any problems.

BettaMin is very high in protein and is made especially for bettas. It comes in a small yellow can that will last for months with only one betta. Cost $2.29 here in Cleveland.

I hope you are keeping it in an aquarium with a filter and heater, after all, it is a "tropical" fish and any of them deserve nothing less.

BTW, it is pronounced bet-tah, not bay-tah.

Answer 3

Siamese fighting fish contrary to popular belief are not cold water fish. They are tropical, its just that they are extremely hardy. As for the fish bowl, thats not big enough. Really you should have a small tank with a working filter, heater, the works. However i know thats probably impracticle. I would suggest getting a relatively large fish bowel, something that you could almost fit your head in. Just put in gravel and perhaps a simple plastic plant for just a little bit of hiding. The food should be fine, theres special food you can get called beta fish food or siamese fight fish food or something similar, but what you have should be fine. Do water changes (about half or one thirds of the water) every week to every fortnight replacing the dirty water with dechlorinated water, using a dechlorinater liquid. Thats the least you should do for the fish. Try to keep him in a semi-warm part of the house, as they ARE TROPICAL, or atleast semi tropical. Dont freak out though he should be fine. If you love him lots you might even get a small air stone for him, with a small pump, but thats optional. I dont know how much you know about fish but i think this should help. Fighting fish need more care than commonly thought but the above in my opinion is acceptable, there still low maintenace.

Answer 4

Well i have three bettas and i feed them once a day in the morning wen i wake up so i dont forget >.< probably about 4-5 pellets a day should be fine. when their done eating and theres leftover still floating then ur feeding to much. if ur feeding twice a day give them about 2-3 pellets only each time u feed them.

Answer 5

twice a day is fine
if you feed him pellets, feed him about 3 pellets on each feeding
Also skip one whole day of the week for feedings, this will prevent constipation




Hope that helps
good luck


EB

Answer 6

I had the same problem. I feed mine two on one day, three the next, alternating it. It eats the pellets that you can get from the pet store.

Answer 7

as much as it can eat within three minutes, if your over feeding it will show up in the tank, if not enuff then yeah your fish will stay at hte top and want more if you put it in a lil at a timeit should be fine,

Answer 8

Call the pet shop and ask them.