I'm Trying Again Because I Love These Guys

[Pennymom]

I messed up. I loved my Betta to death by over-feeding and now I have some questions about feeding. My guy, whom I've had for almost a year, died of bloat yesterday which I think came from overfeeding. I have read their stomachs are about as big as their eyes. So, how often do I feed a new one when I get him? He will live in a 5 gallon aquarium with gravel and a couple of plants and a filter. How often do I change the water and what percentage with this setup? I don't want to mess up again with another guy -- they are too cool. TIA

 

[mandiemoo]

I don't think it's a question of how often, but how much you feed him each time. Just tiny amounts a couple of times a day, and I have read a lot of people saying give them a tiny piece of frozen (but cooked, not too mushy) pea, to aid their digestion. A quick question from mysel here, do they have to be frozen, or can they be tinned?

As for water change - 30% every week guys, or could it be less?

 

[FBTgirl]

I feed mine 2 times a day 3-2 pellets a feeding time. They seem to be fine.

 

[WILDER]

Daphnia very good for digesting a fish food too.
Frozen peas are the best to be honest.

 

[mandiemoo]

Trust fish to like the one thing I'm not too keen on.

 

[WILDER]

Is that the frozen peas.

 

[mandiemoo]

I will only eat garden peas - and those are out of a tin!

 

[WILDER]

Lol, get some fresh peas and pod them yourself.

 

[laurasbetta]

mine won't eat pellets, so i feed my betta a couple of flakes (crumbled up, he won't eat the big pieces) twice a day. then every now and then i throw in a snack of 2 or 3 bloodworms.

 

[liz2]

I only feed my fish about every 36 hours and sometimes not even then. Your fish that was fat might have been ill, so dont blame yourself. My rainbow boy looks fat and its dropsy so not over feeding.

good luck

 

[Pennymom]

I just noticed the pinned threads, full of FAQ's. I probably should have read those before I posted. Thanks for all you answers, though.

 

[stang1]

Don't beat yourself up over it, we all have to start somewhere and plenty of us have made mistakes.