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How do I get my betta fish to eat?
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To entice a betta that refuses to eat, try adding some variety to its diet. You can offer betta treats such as live brine shrimp or freeze-dried bloodworms. Intersperse these feedings with the pellet food and, often, many bettas will be happier with a varied diet and will come to see the pellet food as just as tasty.
Betta fish can survive up to 10 days without food, however, this is not recommended! It is possible they may even survive a few more days than this, however, this is merely surviving and you are actually slowly starving your betta fish which can cause them to die easily.
Why is my betta fish not swimming or eating?
It could be due to improper feeding, illness, or improper tank conditions. It could also be due to the fact that your Betta is getting old and its life is slowly leaving its body. Just like with humans, old Betta fish will be more lethargic and inactive than young ones.
Perhaps your fish has just become picky and is bored of eating the same food every day. Along with the branded food you feed your fish try feeding them a variety of live foods. If they are still not eating, don’t leave it too long. Call the fish vet.
How do I get my betta fish to eat? – Related Questions
Will betta fish starve themselves?
You’re already in the “responsible fishkeeper” mindset! Most aquarium fish can survive while fasting for a few days, but some handle it better than others. Betta fish can go 10 to 14 days without food, but there are a lot of factors that go along with this extended fasting period.
What do you do if your betta fish isn’t swimming?
It can be dead, but most of the time, the lack of movement is nothing more than normal betta fish behavior. It’s best to double-check, though, so look for any signs of illness or stress and test the aquarium water to make sure it’s within the proper chemical range and temperature.
Why is my betta fish not eating and floating sideways?
Betta fish are not strong swimmers and will become tired and lethargic if water flow is too strong in the tank. But, If your water flow is minimal, and your betta continues to swim sideways along the gravel, your fish may be suffering from a swim bladder malady (which is discussed more below).
Why is my betta fish barely moving?
There are a number of reasons why your betta fish might not be moving, including stress, poor water quality, and illness. It can be disconcerting to find that your betta is not moving, especially because they are typically lively fish. However, it is not necessarily a cause for concern unless you know your fish is ill.
To save a dying Betta fish, you need to get in touch with a vet and identify what is wrong. They may be sick and need medication, they may have suffered an injury, their tank environment may not be suitable, or they may have issues with their diet.
What does an unhealthy betta look like?
Signs Of Unhealthy Betta
Some of the most common signs of an unhealthy betta are a lack of appetite or inactivity. Betta fish may also become discolored, lethargic, and standoffish when they develop health issues. The appearance and attitude of the betta is the most common sign of deteriorating or poor health.
How do I know if my betta fish is suffering?
Look for lethargy.
If your betta is sick, his activity level will go down. He won’t be his normal, active self. His movements will slow down some. Another sign of sickness is your fish hiding out at the bottom of the tank more often than normal.
How can you tell if a betta is dying?
How long do betta fish usually live?
2 – 5 years
Siamese fighting fish / Lifespan (In captivity)
How often should Bettas be fed?
It is recommended to feed your betta fish two to four pellets, once or twice per day. Pellets expand when placed in water and are very filling for your betta fish. Freeze-dried or fresh food can be substituted for their pellet feeding 1 to 2 days per week.
Do Bettas like light?
Bettas like light so that they know when to wake up and prefer a darker environment to sleep in. You may have an aquarium light on your tank and if so, it is probably best for you to turn this on when you wake up in the morning and turn it off just before bedtime.
You may find most aquarium lights are LED; these work great. Some large or professional aquariums use UVB or others , but if you’re planning to keep your betta in a basic aquarium with standard aquarium plants, LED will do fine.
Do bettas need LED light?
Are LED Lights Bad For Bettas? LED lights are actually quite good for your betta! As well as providing a light that isn’t too strong for your betta, they don’t give off a lot of heat either. This means you don’t have to worry about the tank becoming too hot or water evaporating too fast!
Can betta fish hear you?
Though betta fish (or fish in general) do not have ears, they do have tiny holes in the sides of their heads that, on the inside, house a hearing structure. So, to put it simply, betta fish can hear. In fact, that is one way they can detect that predators are near.
Can you touch your betta fish?
Betta fish should rarely, if ever, be petted. It’s not good to pet them, as it may remove their natural slime coating, making them prone to certain diseases. Also, never touch them with dirty hands, as bacteria can easily be transmitted through direct contact.