I've Got A Little Problem

[karneval]

I've had my betta since Sunday, and he hasn't eaten much since then. I know they have to get settled in because if they're stressed, they won't eat, etc. But the thing is: he's trying, but it seems that the food is too big. Possibly? I'm currently feeding Top Fin Betta Bits, and he keeps trying to eat them, but after a few seconds he always spits them back out, and goes for it again. He keeps trying until the pieces sink, and he refuses to go after it once it's not floating.

I tried him on some flakes, but he didn't like them. (I've never, ever had a male betta eat flakes, so that didn't actually surprise me.) In the past, I had one betta who would eat nothing but Hikari Bio-Gold Pellets - he'd even stick his nose up to bloodworms. Should I try these? Does anyone know if there's a size difference between the two?

Maybe I should get some bloodworms and peas, and see if he'll go for that?

I just feel bad that he's trying to eat, and can't.

So, any suggestions?

 

[Colin_T]

don't bother offering him any peas. Bettas are insect eaters and rarely if ever eat plant matter.
The pellets could be too big or he might just dislike the taste. Try crumbling the pellets up a bit so they are smaller. Offer him some different types of frozen food. If you catch any mozzies or flies without bug spray you can offer him them as well.
Don't worry too much if he doesn't eat for a few days. Fish can go for months without food. Unlike mammals that require food to keep warm, fish use the food to grow and swim. They take their body temperature from the surrounding water.
He'll eat when he's hungry

 

[blaxicanlatino]

same thing happened with my betta. I bought a kit that came with betta food but it was too big for the betta. after a day or 2, i bought the bio gold food and he ate it in an instant. try changing the foods.

my betta eats pieces of peas. 8)

 

[karneval]

Hmm, thanks. I got him to eat some pieces of pea. He loved that. I think if he doesn't start with the pellets in a day or two, I'll switch foods. I tried smaller pieces of the pellets, but he still wouldn't take it, so. I'll also see if I can catch any bugs and see what he thinks of that.

 

[Colin_T]

maybe you have a vegetarian betta

 

[karneval]

That would be pretty cool, lol. only, I'd have to buy a lot of peas.

 

[Colin_T]

ROFL
How many peas do you think a male fighter can eat.

 

[joycould]

I have a betta that it took nearly 3 weeks for him to eat pellets....but he did eat peas. I fed him a pea every other day but offered him pellets 2 times a day. Atison's betta pro is smaller pellets than anything else I have tried so if the food is to big you might try it. I am sure he will start eating soon.

 

[Amunet]

I think Hikari makes a micro pellet. I'm not sure how large they are since the bag they come in isn't see-through, but if the pellets are too large you could try to find that.
It sounds like he just doesn't like the pellets you're trying to feed him.
Maybe try Hikari. Most bettas seem to enjoy it and eat it up no problem.
I'd also get him some frozen bloodworm and frozen brineshrimp as well just so you can vary his diet. I'm sure he would just love both of those too

 

[CathyGo]

The Hikari Micro-Pellets are tiny and should fit in his mouth with no problem.

 

[Monty2451]

I feed all my bettas Hikari Bio Gold Pellets. I recently got 3 new bettas, one of which refused to eat for a couple days (I know I didn't tell you guys, but I didn't want to bother telling with out being able to provide pics, lol. So once I get some, I'll make the official announcement ). He ate one one day but when I offered a second he spit it out. I went away for the weekend and had my Grandfather feed my fish, and when I cam back he was eating just fine! My guess is he just had to get used to the new environment and the food. So long story short, if he can fit it in his mouth, he's good, just give him some time. If he doesn't start eating in 5 days to a week, then try something new.

 

[karneval]

I think Hikari makes a micro pellet. I'm not sure how large they are since the bag they come in isn't see-through, but if the pellets are too large you could try to find that.
It sounds like he just doesn't like the pellets you're trying to feed him.
Maybe try Hikari. Most bettas seem to enjoy it and eat it up no problem.
I'd also get him some frozen bloodworm and frozen brineshrimp as well just so you can vary his diet. I'm sure he would just love both of those too

Yeah, I'll definitely get bloodworms. I've never worked with frozen brine shrimp before, but I'll give that a try, too. I can't get to the pet store today, but as soon as I can (tomorrow. awesome, an excuse to go to the pet store.) I'll get some of the Hikari Pellets.

I feed all my bettas Hikari Bio Gold Pellets. I recently got 3 new bettas, one of which refused to eat for a couple days (I know I didn't tell you guys, but I didn't want to bother telling with out being able to provide pics, lol. So once I get some, I'll make the official announcement ). He ate one one day but when I offered a second he spit it out. I went away for the weekend and had my Grandfather feed my fish, and when I cam back he was eating just fine! My guess is he just had to get used to the new environment and the food. So long story short, if he can fit it in his mouth, he's good, just give him some time. If he doesn't start eating in 5 days to a week, then try something new.

I know he can definitely eat it, as over night, he ate what had fallen to the bottom of the tank. ( I know, I know, now I'm going to get yelled at for leaving it on the bottom of the tank XD but it's not there this morning for me to clean out, so, no problem. ♥ ) Anyway, I think he probably doesn't like these pellets, so I'll let him deal with it for a day or two, and then get Hikari. My bettas have liked Hikari better in the past, so I won't actually have a problem changing.


Thanks, guys.

ROFL
How many peas do you think a male fighter can eat.

Well when I make peas, I always end up giving some to my rats, too, and I end up eating a bunch myself while I sit there cutting one up. anyway, I was just kidding.