How to Feed Betta Fish

Betta fish make an excellent choice for an indoor or office aquarium. These fish are easy to care for, more active than many other species, and also quite beautiful. As carnivores, Betta fish thrive on meat-based foods. It's important to avoid feeding them dry, plant-based pellets meant for tropical fish. By understanding Betta fish nutrition and feeding them properly, your Betta can live a long and healthy life.

Feed the fish a portion size equal to the size of their eye. The Betta fish's stomach is roughly the size of their eye, and you should avoid feeding them more than that in one sitting. This amount is equivalent to 3 pellets or 3 saltwater shrimp per feeding. If you use gel-based food, the portion size will be about the same. Betta fish can be fed once or twice a day.

• It's recommended to soak dry food (like pellets) before feeding the fish, as it may expand in their stomach if eaten dry.

Reduce the amount of food if your fish isn't eating it all. If you notice that your betta fish leaves food behind, consider decreasing the amount of food you give them. For example, if you typically feed each fish 4 pellets, try cutting it down to 3 pellets. If they finish the food quickly, you can increase it back to 4 pellets.

Remove leftover food from the tank. Leftover food in the aquarium can attract bacteria, which is harmful to both water quality and the fish. It becomes even more problematic if the fish consume spoiled food.

• Use the small net that you typically use for fish waste or transfer the fish to another tank to remove the food.

Feed regularly. Betta fish need to be fed daily, or almost daily. You should feed them twice a day, with a consistent gap in between. Don't worry if you're keeping fish in your office and can’t feed them on weekends; they’ll be fine as long as you feed them consistently during the weekdays. Just make sure to allow one day a week for fasting, which is beneficial for them.

• Betta fish can survive without food for up to two weeks, so don’t be concerned if they don't eat for a few days due to illness or adjusting to a new environment. But of course, you shouldn’t test how long they can go without food!

Include a variety of different foods. In the wild, betta fish eat a wide range of small prey. Feeding them the same food for an extended period can weaken their immune system and cause them to eat less.

• You can switch up the food regularly. Try offering at least one different type of food each week, apart from their usual meals.

Feed your fish worms. In the wild, many small aquatic worms serve as a primary food source for betta fish. The most common type of worm for bettas is bloodworms, which are sold in live, freeze-dried, frozen, or gel forms. However, they are not very nutritious and are best used as treats. Saltwater shrimp or tube worms are a better option, but specialized pellet or gel food for bettas is ideal.

• Live tube worms may carry parasites or bacteria, so avoid feeding these to your fish.
• The best live worms to feed bettas are white worms, brine worms, and grindal worms.
• Most pet stores carry these types of worms.

Feed your fish insects. You can offer live or frozen insects. The best choices are water fleas and fruit flies.

• These insects are available at most pet stores. You can also give your bettas fruit flies that can't fly, which are typically sold in jars as food for reptiles. To feed fruit flies to your fish, shake them into a plastic bag and freeze them for a few minutes to slow them down, then quickly pour the flies into the tank. Be sure to remove any uneaten fruit flies.

Feed your fish other foods. There are many types of frozen meat that betta fish can also consume. You can use frozen brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, or beef heart. These foods are available at most pet stores.

• Beef heart and other meats can pollute the water due to the oils and proteins, so limit these to occasional treats for your bettas.

Avoid overusing dry food. These types of food come in flake or freeze-dried forms. Some foods are labeled for bettas but can cause digestive issues due to indigestible fillers and lack of moisture.

• Pellet food expands when it absorbs water, swelling to 2-3 times its original size. Some bettas may have negative reactions, potentially leading to constipation or swim bladder problems.

Soak dry pellets in water. If dry pellets are the only option, soak them in a cup of water for a few minutes before feeding your betta. The pellets will expand to their full size before the fish eats them.

• Don’t overfeed. Reduce the portion size if you notice your fish getting bloated. You can switch to live food if the bloating persists.

Don't always follow the instructions on the fish food packaging. Many pellet or flake food packages suggest feeding the fish “enough for 5 minutes or until they stop eating.” This isn’t accurate for bettas. In the wild, bettas instinctively eat as much as they can, not knowing when their next meal will come.

• Overfeeding can lower water quality and lead to obesity in bettas.

• Keep your betta in a spacious tank (not a bowl) to make cleaning up leftover food and waste easier, and to provide enough room for the fish to thrive.
• Engage with your betta regularly to prevent boredom and to bond with your fish.
• Give your betta a fasting day every few weeks.
• Remember, bettas need a varied diet, so offer them a mix of nutritious foods. Frozen food is not essential unless available, but occasionally using it as a treat is fine.

• Avoid feeding your betta insects caught in the wild, as they may carry harmful diseases.