Got A New Female But...

[bball4life]

Hey all. I just got a female betta today. She wont eat flakes I had to scoop those out, I tried freeze dried blood worms but she is really not taking that, and she tries to eat pellets but when she gets it in shes spits it out because I think her mouth is too small for them. I tried some of those tiny hikari pellets for like guppies just for the heck of it. I didnt see her eat them, but I think she did. What could I try to feed her?

 

[Kowalski]

I am by no means an expert, but from reading all sorts of things all over the internet, it's okay as long as she stops eating for longer than a whole week. She might be a bit confused with her new surroundings and so on. Give her time to adjust and I'm sure she'll be eating like normal in no time. Be careful to not pollute the water and grab all the leftovers! Haha, good luck, I hope this helps. Like I said, I am new to this, but that information is just what I've read. Mine didn't eat for two days after I first put him in his new tank, now he eats normally.

 

[bball4life]

I think I will give her a couple hours, then try again. Do you think I should still try the pellet?

 

[lisie]

Give her time. Just offer her whatever staple food you plan on using every day, walk out of the room for a while and when you come back scoop out the food if it's not eaten. Some bettas refuse to eat for a while after you bring them home, but don't worry because bettas can live for a long time without food. One of my boys didn't eat for a whole entire month after I got him, but he eats like a pig now. Just offer her food, and she'll eat when she's hungry. As for the pellets, if they can fit in her mouth, they're fine. Good luck with your new little girl.

 

[Kowalski]

Naturally, I'd say use whatever food you have specifically for Bettas. I tried giving mine some other type, he didn't like it, but he does eat "Betta Bites". So try sticking with foods for Bettas, if you don't have that, stick with whatever you think she'll end up finishing up on a daily basis. Like I said, this is just from reading articles and etc so, I'm trying to be as helpful as possible but none of this is coming from some guy who is an expert! Haha, good luck though.

 

[bball4life]

hey thanks. Yeah she just looks at the betta flakes, and tries to eat the betta pellet, but I jsut dont think she can swallow it. So maybe I will she what she was eating before because she is pretty plump. So who knows. Maybe it was a different brand. I will be making a phone call in a minute.

 

[Kowalski]

Don't worry too much, as Lisie said, they can go a very long time without eating. I hope it goes well for you!

 

[lisie]

Bettas chew their food so swallowing it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[bball4life]

Bettas chew their food so swallowing it shouldn't be a problem.

Oh ok good

 

[starrynightxxi]

yup, they can chew their food. if you listen when you're feeding pellets you can sometimes hear them crunching (what betta addict? where?). but don't be allarmed if she spits it out even once she does start eating. they often do this to soften the pellets. I bought a very small girl who was only an inch nose to tail and even when i broke up the pellets as best i could they didn't fit in her mouth. she would just grab one and carry it around half sticking out of her mouth until it softened up enough to squeeze in

 

[lisie]

yup, they can chew their food. if you listen when you're feeding pellets you can sometimes hear them crunching (what betta addict? where?).

It's the cutest thing ever.

 

[Loko17]

Hey all. I just got a female betta today. She wont eat flakes I had to scoop those out, I tried freeze dried blood worms but she is really not taking that, and she tries to eat pellets but when she gets it in shes spits it out because I think her mouth is too small for them. I tried some of those tiny hikari pellets for like guppies just for the heck of it. I didnt see her eat them, but I think she did. What could I try to feed her?

She probably just needs time but some bettas can be picky little eaters so you should try every possible diet to ensure she will eat something she likes.

 

[Rediahs]

I say just keep trying to feed her whatever you're going to feed her. When she gets hungry enough she'll eat it.

It's not a matter of mouth size being too small or anything. They will spit out their food anyway. Mine did it and my parents' did it. Now mine eats HUNGRILY and LUNGES at his food. He also gets very excited when he thinks I'm going to feed him. Just give her time.