Another Betta Fry Feeding Topic.

[xweeqtx]

Does anyone know the reason why Betta fry have to/will only eat[is this the case?] certain foods?
Like, the livebearers you can crush flakes finely, feed egg yoke etc. But with Betta's its definitely get a culture ready!
I don't find Betta's particularly fussy - so far, anyway. I know they thrive in certain conditions, and perhaps on foods. Which is why I try to give a varied diet and change their surroundings regularly.
Do any of you have fussy Betta's?
I know I branched away from the topic a bit, but questions came into my head and I had to ask

 

[dmarie04]

Betta fry are a LOT smaller than most other fry. Including livebearer fry. A lot of foods that other fry can eat, bettas simply can't fit in their mouths. Also, bettas eat live food instinctively. Their instincts tell them that if it's wiggling and alive, then it's food. If it's not alive, then it's not food. I've read of breeders that have lost entire spawns because the fry chose to starve themselves rather than eat the non-live food being offered. Then there are some that do have success with non-live foods, but the fry don't grow as well, and seem to have immune system problems. Another reason why it's ok to feed livebearer fry crushed flakes and not bettas, is the betta fry are carnivores. They need the meat and lots of protein to build up their little systems. Livebearers are ominovores and the flakes provide sufficient nutrition for them but the flakes just lack all the nutrition that the bettas need to grow big and healthy. If you get lucky and get a non-picky spawn that will eat the non-live foods (mashed egg yolk, atison's betta starter or decapsulated brine shrimp are ok options) they will grow...but they won't grow as fast and may not be as healthy. Also, the non-live options foul the water pretty bad, so it causes more frequent and larger water changes earlier on, which can stress the fry which also leads to weak immune systems.
I've known people that have really picky (adult) bettas...but all of mine are pigs and will pretty much eat whatever I toss in their tanks! LOL