How Long Can A Betta Fish Go Without Eating? Betta Fish was named after an ancient clan called “Bettah” because they are combatant and territorial even though they are little in size. In fact, in the 18th century, Betta fish became so popular that the King of Thailand had its taxed and there were betta tournaments wherein people placed their bets on the one who they think will win the territory.

The appearance of the Betta fish is stunningly beautiful because of its vibrant colors and its flowy tail. Because of their territorial characteristics, they are often seen swimming solo in one container because they couldn’t tolerate having someone else sharing their territory.

As for their diets, Betta fish are carnivores as they can feed on bloodworms, daphnia and brine shrimps. Betta happened to be picky eaters as they wanted to eat their foods on the water surface. Because of their “picky” nature, they can survive up to 14 days without eating until you got their diet right.

Understanding Their Diet

For first-time Betta keepers, overfeeding on them would be the most unsurprising issue. Betta has a slower metabolism, meaning they will survive in fewer feedings. Take note that Betta fish can only be fed once or twice a day.

As mentioned above, they are naturally carnivores and they need a well-balanced diet wherein they can get most of the protein benefits. Since betta is taken care of under your hands, then deciding the right betta foods would be a challenge. It’s okay to serve them with either feed pellets or live, freeze-dried foods as their daily meal. To keep them healthy, you have to follow these guidelines so they can live longer.

Betta’s Needed Nutritional Value

The best Betta foods can replicate their natural diet, which is wild insects, so it could give them a natural source of protein. Good Betta food can also provide fat, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins. It’s also important for you to take note not to buy foods meant for goldfish or any other tropical fish because they don’t have the same nutritional requirements.

Betta fish have short digestive tracts and their digestion cannot tolerate heavy plants like corn, leaf, and wheat. Making them eat these foods will only lead them to constipation, bloatedness and sometimes, death. That’s why you need to choose high-protein food so you can aid their digestion sensitivity.

Betta Fish Pellets

Pellets are the most common fish food and either the physical store or the internet could attest the most qualified betta fish pellets. So far, the best pellets can only have few fillers and it’s based more on high-quality ingredients with fewer preservatives. Here are the most in-demand betta fish pellets in the market.

Northfin Food Betta Bits

These betta bits are sized perfectly for feeding your Betta fish warrior. These are packed with natural ingredients like proteins, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that are also easy to digest. They are floating pellets and they don’t dissolve into water easily. What’s also good about this product is it doesn’t have any added artificial fillers and preservatives that could demote nutrient absorption. The size of the bits is about 1mm each.

New Life Spectrum Betta Formula

Another reliable Betta fish formula is New Life Spectrum Betta Formula, which is made out of natural ingredients. Aside from the needed nutrients, it also produced a fair amount of Omega-3 which is responsible for coat and color enhancement. These pellets are also about 1mm each, easy to digest.

It is made of Antarctic krill, New Zealand mussel, and squid that helps to boost their immune system. Also, New Life Spectrum Betta Formula contains algae mean and garlic that prevents them from being attacked by parasites. Other ingredients include seaweed, kelp, and premium grade of natural Spirulina. The pellets are also measured 1mm each.

HIKARI Betta Bio-Gold

Hikari is one of the most recommended brands in the fish feeding industry because of its all-natural ingredients that could boost up your Betta’s energy and immune system and at the same time, they put many efforts into developing products to meet the Betta’s nutritional requirements.

HIKARI Betta Bio-Gold has its way of providing the best service by formulating Bio-Technology to enhance coloration without compromising their nutritional needs. This product is considered economical as it does not cloud on water and eliminates overfeeding. This also contains Vitamin C to promote a healthier immune system and a longer lifespan.

Omega One Betta Buffet

Omega One also made an impact in the fish feed industry as they provide a unique yet natural pigment of salmon that contains Omega 3 and 6 for color enhancement. Since Betta fish are continually acquiring for higher protein, this product might be a perfect choice for you. This product is also not water-soluble and doesn’t add up to water’s cloudiness, especially in a smaller tank. Omega One Betta Buffet is also filled with abundant seafood protein that could give them more energy to sustain their daily living.

Other Betta Fish Diet

Since Betta fish fed on live insects, it is still important for you to take note that you still have to be careful of the live insects you are feeding them. Other betta’s favorite foods are live mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, bloodworms and Wingless Fruit Flies. Remember that frozen betta food can be kept in your freezer once and if you’re ready to take them out, do not store them back to the refrigerator. Re-freezing insects are considered a bad idea as these frozen insects might be exposed to bacteria.

Conclusion

Although Betta fish can live up to 14 days without eating yet you still have to be considerate of them. To start with, they have their needs too, just like you do. When you choose a product for them, it has to fill their bodies with all the nutrients that they needed. Betta Fish are always striving for survival and to do so, you must satisfy their nutritional requirements. And once you meet the requirement, they can live peacefully and longer.