Betta food for my betta fish?

February 19, 2006 1:10 PM

My new siamese fighting fish doesn't seem to be hungry. Pellets or flakes - which are better?

I brought my new betta fish home yesterday and fed him for the first time this morning. I went with the flakes and he didn't seem to eat anything. My last betta fish liked the pellets. Which are better?

Any other betta fish advice?

posted by meerkatty to Pets & Animals (14 answers total)

I no longer have a betta, but when I did, they LOVED frozen brine shrimp.
posted by Ostara at 1:14 PM on February 19, 2006

I had one and he went crazy for freeze-dried bloodworms.
posted by Dipsomaniac at 1:24 PM on February 19, 2006

The first day they might not be too hungry while they adjust to their new environment. All bettas I've ever had have loved the little pellets.

Btw, Sushi II is a very handsome lil guy!
posted by tastybrains at 1:31 PM on February 19, 2006

Mine love the brine shrimp from these guys.

It is available at Petsmart.
posted by roguescout at 1:34 PM on February 19, 2006

My beta only ate bloodworms, very difficult with anything else.
posted by sled at 1:35 PM on February 19, 2006

Bloodworms here as well. Wouldn't touch the pellets.
posted by trey at 1:38 PM on February 19, 2006

I've had my betta for a couple of years and have only ever fed him pellets. He eats them just fine.
posted by briank at 1:43 PM on February 19, 2006

For other advice, keep mirrors away from (and out of) the fish tank. It will fight its reflection to its death.
posted by sophie at 1:57 PM on February 19, 2006

We used to have a betta, and it didn't need to eat that much, or that often. We fed it specific betta pellets every couple of days, and it seemed happy enough.
posted by crabintheocean at 2:53 PM on February 19, 2006

Tons of Betta advice here, including food tips.
posted by Ian A.T. at 3:40 PM on February 19, 2006

I've had several bettas, and have flakes, dried shrimp, blood worms, and pellet food. My bettas usually last 2 years.

If you just brought him home, it'll take him a while to adjust. Bettas can go for more about a week without food so don't worry about it.

Bettas hate flakes. It's baby food.

Pellets are a good staple. Make that their main diet.

Bettas like blood worms. Feed them to him once in a while.

They also like dried shrimp. Once in a while too.

Most importantly, make sure your tap water has something added to make it safe for fish.

Enjoy your new betta.
posted by lpctstr; at 4:21 PM on February 19, 2006

My betta didn't seem that hungry either until I got a light for his bowl. I think he was cold. Once I installed the light, he was happy as could be, and devoured his food (flakes with little worms) immediately.
posted by justonegirl at 4:39 PM on February 19, 2006

Fighting fish don't like dried food. I used to feed mine frozen - not freeze dried, just frozen - bloodworms. He lived to the age of 5 years.
posted by ikkyu2 at 9:25 PM on February 19, 2006

Am I the only one who almost read that as "My new siamese fighting fish is unstoppable?
posted by Miko at 6:27 AM on February 20, 2006