How much to feed your betta fish can depend on their individual activity level, but 2-3 pellets 1-2 times daily is a safe amount. I have been alternating between three different kinds of pellets. As for the 2nd question, black edges are a beginning sign of fin rot, I would do at least a 50% water change, and if things don’t improve, you may need to dose in some Aquarium Salt. We’re feeding Beta Bio-Gold. It’s best then, to provide a variety of high-quality pellets, flakes, freeze dried, frozen and live foods. You bet! One of my bettas does the same thing and acts all macho next to it. Thanks for the response! As for vacation, read our guide on that here. Boil a frozen pea in water for several minutes. Your betta may also be getting older and will be less active as they age – which may explain the lounging behavior. Use your best judgment as very active betta fish will need food more often. So if your tank water is 78 degrees Fahrenheit, you’d want to get the water you’re adding as close to that as possible. I would suggest roughly 3-4 flakes per feeding and monitor from there, adjusting as necessary. When I first got him, I followed the feeding schedule that is on this site, but he kept eating his tail whenever I tried to fast him which led to tail infections. These pellets are smaller than other pellets I’ve seen on the market so I generally feed her 4-6 pellets twice a day. I just bought a female crowntail betta. Does the betta attack the food instantly? Simply drop one tablet in the aquarium for up to seven days of feeding. Also he is extremely active and eats about ten pellets a day. She has been sitting on top of her plant so she doesn’t have to come up far for air, and isn’t eating much. This exterior is rich in fiber, which aids the digestion of protein-rich foods. Ideally, you would be slowly adding some of the new habitat’s water to the temporary container while they float in the later-stages of the acclimation. He will lunge at them several times before they sink to the bottom. I have a health question about our beta. However, it sounds like bloodworms are not typically used as daily food? Again, don’t worry about a couple days because bettas can survive up to 14 days without food. If you go on that website, my user name is Fredz. Most betta keepers decide to feed pellets because they are simple and effective. Based on what you’ve told me, I don’t believe he’s weak from lack of nutrition if you only fasted for 48 hours. He appeared to be fairly normal in size when I got him, but has since grown to a little over three and a half inches. Also, is it okay to put warm water in when I take out the 1/3 of water in the fish bowl? He has been unwilling to eat Betta pellets. If so, please list with how many of each: If you haven't already posted a picture, please post pics/vids to imgur and paste the link here: Feel free to copy this comment and fill in the blanks. Inability to regulate in the water (sink or float) when they stop swimming or swimming upside down. Frozen foods come in many of the same options. Usually that’s takes around 3-5 pellets for an adult male betta. #2: How do the feeding recommendations change when conditioning for breeding? I started with pellets, but he doesn’t seem to like them. How Long Do Betta Fish Live? Will this eventually have any ill affects on his health, though? The pellets are the Aqueon brand. When feeding freeze-dried, I usually give 2 good sized worms for a meal (the other meal that day would be pellets.) 3 pellets twice a day should be fine in your situation, but only you know what’s best based on this information. If not, what would you recommend? Can you provide your insights on this topic or comment on my situation? You told me. Do you have any advice? I have had my two betta fish for about 12 days. My fish seem to be less active since past 1.5 days. Your information has been a huge resource for me. For pellets that expand once wet, soak them in tank water before feeding to hydrate them, especially if your betta attacks food instantly. Sorry to hear about your betta. Please note: this page contains affiliate links. It’s not on your recommended food list and everything I’ve found on the internet says NOT to feed it to them because it’s not a natural food. What really matters is the size of the pellets once they’ve fully expanded and become soaked in tank water. Does it count as the number of pellets Fed per feeding if they don’t get it? Hey Bryan I got a betta about a week ago and he nearly died yesterday because he jumped out of his tank. Great information! Mysis shrimp, or opossum shrimp, are another great option for betta fish because of their exoskeleton. Thanks. I realized recently that the bottle expiry date is Nov. 2017. Thanks so much, She’s in a 5 gallon, half filled tank. First time in 12 days. I need your advice. We have to point it out to him. The food we have for her is Aqueon betta food pellets. Feeding a variety of different foods will provide the array of nutrients a betta fish needs to thrive. I am going to be bringing my very first Betta fish home tomorrow! She lays on the bottom, always on her side, or in the plastic leaf on the surface most of the time. With that said, all bettas are different in their activity level and dietary needs. How many daphnia for example so as not to overfeed but will he find them. My new betta had been eating only pellets from the pet store. If he’s become lethargic and it’s 65 degrees in your house, you should get a heater with a built-in thermostat if you don’t already have one. Twice a week seems very sparse, especially if your betta is active. One of my male halfmoons won’t touch bloodworms, yet the others ravish them. He is an older Betta. Hi! He should find them eventually though. 7.0%, Moisture (max.) We have had our betta for about 5 days. Your site has been the best for giving ALL information needed for having the best care for your betta. He has been very lethargic and was swimming sideways and spending a lot of time in his log. Sign up to receive updates, special offers, program communications and other information from Petco. Watch out for signs of constipation or overfeeding and adjust feeding as needed. As bettas get older they do become less active. Average Lifespans, San Francisco Bay Brands Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp, https://www.walmart.com/ip/Marina-Betta-EZ-Care-0-5-Gallon-Aquarium-Starter-Kit-White/126706099, Betta fish pellets (2-4 pellets, 1-2 times daily), Live, frozen, or freeze-dried (2-3 pieces, 1-2 times daily), Monday: Betta fish pellets (2-4 pellets, 1-2 times daily), Tuesday: Live, frozen, or freeze-dried (2-3 pieces, 1-2 times daily), Wednesday: Betta fish pellets (2-4 pellets, 1-2 times daily), Thursday: Betta fish pellets (2-4 pellets, 1-2 times daily), Friday: Live, frozen, or freeze-dried (2-3 pieces, 1-2 times daily), Saturday: Betta fish pellets (2-4 pellets, 1-2 times daily), Sunday: Fast to keep digestive regularity. More frequent 25% changes are better than one 50% change because that causes a greater fluctuation in the water’s parameters. Hi Eli, please read the vacation care guide here. Pellets create less mess and you can easily portion them out for feedings. A subreddit for all things related to our colorful finned friends. Its a small one. Once a betta recovers, their appetite will also begin to come back too. Thanks. I just got some live bloodworms and am thinking of doing 2 pellets morning 1-2 worms midday and 2 pellets evening (though I fear that may be too much food?