Bettas are beautiful freshwater fish with their unique appearance, long tails, and bright colors. These fish come from the same family as koi but they have different body shapes, with shorter and stockier bodies. With the right care, a betta is likely to live for many years; however, getting them to that point requires some effort up front. If you’re thinking about purchasing a betta or koi then this article will help you understand more about how to feed them correctly. In this article, we’ll discuss what kind of food to give your koi betta fish and also how often because the way you feed them makes a big difference in their life span. Keep reading to find out more.
What and How to Feed Your Betta?
As we mentioned above, Betta fish come from the same family as koi. So most likely you will have heard about how to feed koi. So the first thing you should understand is that before purchasing a betta fish, you should research their dietary needs. This will help you understand what to feed your Betta, the right amount to feed it, and how often to feed it.
What you should know is that Betta fish are carnivorous and they need protein-rich food. So if you feed your Betta a pellet made for a herbivore, it will likely hurt its health. Betta fish have small stomachs, so they only need to be fed a very small amount of food at each meal. Also, you should not overfeed your Betta because it can cause bloating and constipation.
The Importance of the Right Food for a Betta
As we’ve mentioned above, Betta fish are carnivorous, so it is important to provide them with the right type of food. If you feed them the wrong kind of food, it won’t just lead to poor health but it can also shorten their lifespan. Well, if you feed a Betta, a plant-based pellet or a high-protein pellet made for a different type of fish, it can affect its health.
Betta fish, especially big and healthy ones, tend to be aggressive. Providing them with an inappropriate diet will not just lead to poor health but it can also cause the fish to become more aggressive. There have been reports of Bettas attacking their owners after being fed the wrong type of food. So, it is important to provide the Betta with the right type of food if you don’t want it to become aggressive.
Types of Foods You Can Give to your Betta
There are many types of foods you can feed your Betta. Some of the most common types are:
– Crushed pellets – These are the most common types of Betta fish food pellets. You can find these at any pet store. Bettas don’t like to eat pellets that are whole because they are harder to crush. So, make sure you get crushed pellets.
– Bloodworms – Bloodworms are small worms that come in a jar. They are rich in protein and are a great source of food for Betta fish. Bettas like this type of food, and you can feed them as often as twice a week. Note, though, that it’s important to give your Betta this food sparingly because it is fattening.
– Freeze-dried bloodworms – These are the same as the bloodworms in a jar but the difference is that they have been freeze-dried and go in a small bag. Bettas love freeze-dried bloodworms too. They are also fattening and hence, it is important to feed your Betta this food sparingly.
How Often Should You Feed Your Betta?
Bettas need to be fed very small amounts of food at each meal. So, if you feed your Betta more than that, it can lead to bloating, constipation, and even death. The amount of food you should give your Betta depends on its size. Smaller Betta fish should be fed one or two pellets every day. It is also important to keep in mind that a Betta fish doesn’t eat all day. It has two feeding periods that last a few minutes. However, if you are feeding your Betta a freeze-dried bloodworm, you can give it as much as you want. It is important, though, to feed your Betta fish at the right time.
Conclusion
Betta fish are beautiful freshwater fish with their unique appearance, long tails, and bright colors. These fish come from the same family as koi but they have different body shapes, with shorter and stockier bodies. Betta fish are carnivorous and they need protein-rich food. The type of food you provide your Betta with can affect its health. Well, if you feed your Betta the wrong type of food, it can lead to poor health and even death. Betta fish have small stomachs, so they only need to be fed a very small amount of food at each meal. It is important to feed your Betta the right type of food if you want to keep it healthy and happy.