So you’ve finally come home from the fish store and got yourself a betta fish. Your tank is ready, you put them inside, and now you are looking for the best food for betta fish you can buy.
But wait! Did you know that betta fish are picky with food?
Your betta fish’s growth and development not only lies in their environment but also to the foods you feed them. And if you are wondering what food type is best for your betta fish, then you have come to the right place.
Today, we will discuss the unique kinds of betta fish foods and some information about their dietary needs. So without further ado, sit back, relax, and continue to read on.
What Food is Best for Betta Fish?
Betta fishes are picky eaters. More often than not, they will eat food at the surface of the water instead of those that sink at the bottom of the tank.
Frozen Food
Betta fishes are carnivores, which means they need to eat as much protein as possible. And this is where frozen foods come into play. Frozen foods for betta fishes are live insects or microorganisms that are frozen to expand their shelf life.
For this food, feed your betta fish with frozen fruit flies, mosquito larvae, bloodworms, or brine shrimps. But keep in mind that you should only use frozen food that came from trusted stores, and not the ones you may have caught outside your backyard.
This is because getting frozen food from random sources may have already contained some parasites and diseases with them depending on where they came from.
Pellets
Pellets are one of the most common food types for fishes. There are myriads of fish pellets available in the market today. And they are also easily accessible, unlike frozen foods.
Keep in mind that there are different types of pellets depending on the brand. So opt for one that contains fewer fillers to prevent your betta fish from bloating.
Some of the best pellets you can purchase in the market today are:
- NorthFin Betta Bits – Rich in protein and contains no fillers and artificial coloring.
- Ocean Nutrition Betta Pellets – Packed with vitamins and minerals and doesn’t cloud the water in your fish tank.
- Omega One Betta Buffet Pellets – Rich in crude protein and are smaller making it easy to digest for your betta fish.
Flakes
Just like pellets, there are also plenty of fish flakes available in local stores or online. But beware! You should only feed your betta fish with flakes specifically for them.
Avoid feeding them with flakes for tropical fish as it may contain less protein and other essential nutrients your betta fish needs. Here are some of the best fish flakes for your betta fishes:
- Tetra BettaMin – High in crude protein and does not cloud water.
- Omega One Betta Flakes – High in crude fiber and contains lesser starch.
Freeze-Dried
Freeze-dried food is just live insects that have undergone a freeze-drying process to keep them stable and last for longer.
But, they contain more fillers to keep their structure and form. Only feed your betta fish with freeze-dried food in moderation. Doing it frequently can lead to bloating and stomach issues for your betta fish.
- San Francisco Bay Brands Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp – Rich in crude protein and other essential nutrients for a healthier betta fish.
- Omega One Freeze-Dried Bloodworms – Packed with not only protein but also vitamins and minerals to keep your betta fishes nutrient levels at its peak.
- Hikari Freeze-Dried Tubifex Worms – Rich in protein and free from any bacteria and parasites. It also doesn’t cloud the water as well.
Blanched Peas
If your betta fish is suffering from mild constipation, blanched peas can help ease it out. Blanched peas are high in fiber making it effective to help stomach problems your betta fish might be experiencing.
But, only feed your betta fish with blanched fish when needed. Treat blanched peas as an emergency food only and not something that you need to feed them regularly.
What Live Food Can I Feed My Betta Fish?
Among all the food types you can feed to your betta fish, live food is the most important one as they pack it with more protein content and all the essential nutrients your betta needs.
Live blood worms
Bloodworms (also known as Glycera) are mostly in ponds. They are small and are also a favorite among betta fishes too. Betta fishes treat bloodworms as if something that you can find in an eat-all-you-can buffet.
Live mosquito larvae
Mosquito larvae are prominent in a betta fishes’ natural habitat. But keep in mind that mosquito larvae are only active during warmer climates. You will have a hard time sourcing for one during winter.
Live brine shrimp
Brine shrimp are very tiny and can only grow up to 1-centimeter maximum. They call brine shrimp the ultimate “energy food” for betta fish as they are high in protein, fiber, vitamins, amino acids, and all other essential nutrients.
Live mysis shrimp
Mysis shrimp is your best choice if your betta fish is a picky eater. Their exoskeleton is rich in fiber, and it also contains twice the vitamins and minerals that in brine shrimp.
How Much Should I Feed My Betta Fish?
In feeding your betta fish, keep in mind its portion size. But, this will also depend on the type of food you will feed your betta fish.
Ideally, its foods’ portion size should only be equal to 5% of the body size of a betta fish. Food cleanup is also important. You should remove any excess food that sunk on the bottom of the tank as soon as possible.
Betta fish can thrive in a healthy environment. Keeping excess food for long can cloud the water and may hurt your betta fish. This can lead to further health complications or death.
Related: How Often Should I Feed My Betta?
Conclusion
Picking the right food for your betta fish is no easy feat. But what you can do is to check the foods’ nutrient content. It’s best to opt for one that contains fewer fillers such as pellets and flakes to prevent your betta fish from bloating.
And keep in mind that betta fish are carnivores. This means that they can be picky eaters and prefer live food over processed ones.