Feeding....

[prpldrgn420]

I am new to this and I have heard that I should use crickets as a food source. Is this something that is correct?

 

[onebto]

First Question what you feeding?

What fish ?

 

[prpldrgn420]

Right now i have not bought any fish, but i was thing about getting one of the fighting fish. i think it is a beta fish. or and angel fish. i like the looks of those 2.

 

[onebto]

I am unsure of there compatibility to be honest but yes the Siamese fighting fish is known as a beta, the Angels also need specific tank requirements, I do not have any but I have read Angels in some environments and set ups can be quite vicious when they get larger.

I would recommend you read some of the posts in the beta section on how to look after them, there requirements and needs

Is your tank being cycled?

 

[kelly528]

Yeah. Your choice really depends on tank size... If it's about 30 USG and above, you could go for a pair of angels (just be prepared to do your homework on tankmates). Anything below that is better suited to a betta.

 

[GuppyGoddess]

I've never heard of anyone feeding Bettas crickets. Mine get: flake food, betta pelets, freeze-dried blood worms, and a mashed up pea once a week.

They don't need a big tank - 5 gallon, with heater, and light and they're fine. Probably a lot easier to keep than angels.

Cycle your tank first!

 

[OldMan47]

Betta splendens, the common aquarium betta, is a largely carnivorous fish that is a poor hunter and feeds mainly on things like mosquito larvae. They will appreciate any live or frozen food that is small enough for them to eat easily. Crickets are likely too big although I am sure they would try to eat them. The Betta splendens is one of the most colorful fish that you could get for your peaceful community tank. Although they have a reputation for being aggressive, I find that they only show aggression with others of their own species. With other fish, they are more likely to become victims in most cases. I have two nice large veiltail male bettas. One is in a 120 gallon community tank with mainly larger fish while the other is in my 45 gallon endler breeding colony, doing his best to help me with the population explosion, and enjoying good easting in the bargain. Unfortunately, a mature breeding endler colony produces more fry than he can handle. I find a betta as easy to care for as a guppy. Just run the water at least 75F and they will thrive for you. They can be expected to start building bubble nests if you keep them at 80F.

 

[prpldrgn420]

Thank you guys for your input and i will do the research on what i really want. so i guess that crickets are a no for fish in general or at least for a main food source. I only ask as i have a store that is close to me that sells them but if they, the crickets, would kill my future fish I would not want that. I have seen some dryed crickets would this be ok vs. the live crickets as a treat or should i just stay away from crickets all together.

 

[kelly528]

Just want to add a few thingies:

a) Your betta may not be able to beat up those crickets lol! I don't think mine could take one on and he's a big guy.

b) Just for future reference on the topic of bugs, refrain from feeding your guy any critter that's not from the fish store (ie bugs you find in the house or outside). Your betta will not handle it very well if they happen to be contaminated with pesticides, parasites, etc.

 

[Mr Bliss]

An anecdote to warn against feeding whole, live insects (that are too big) to your fish:

Years ago, a dumb friend of mine caught a housefly and gave it to my cichlids. A female rainbow cichlid did try to eat it, despite the insect being too big for her, and I guess the hard chitin parts of the fly got caught in her throat, because I found her dead the next morning with the fly still in her mouth. Maybe it was because of pesticides or some kind of an acute infection, or maybe she just choked on it, dunno.

 

[K-Holed]

The only thing I've ever fed crickets to are my archer fish and my leopard gecko.