Hi, I'm new to fish keeping, and I got my very first fish on friday, the 24th. He is a betta named Gibson. I was told to feed him once a day with betta pellets. The problem is he doesnt seem interested in thhem, so he hasnt eaten anything. Is this normal while he's adjusting to his new home perhaps? Any ideas and help would be greatly appreciated. Thanxe!
New Betta Fish
- Thread starter opal_eyes
- Start date
corrosive
Fishaholic
Could be like you said that hes a bit nervous. One of my bettas didnt take to pellets though, but was fine on frozen bloodworm, after a while whilst feeding the bloodworm he accepted the pellets to.
Could be worth a try.
Could be worth a try.
Kris
New Member
I just recently got into Betta keeping and the first that I bought was in a 2.5 gallon filtered tank, his name is Blue. I originally bought a mixed betta food that had flakes and blood worms - Blue didn't eat a thing for about 3 or 4 days. I switched to pellets and he slowly began eating them. My second betta, just bought him 3 days ago - Arlo - is in a 1.5 gallon filtered tank and ate the pellets straight off the bat.
So I guess it just goes by each individual fish. I've read online that some betta don't eat for close to a month due to stress! Eep, I think I'd freak out a bit if that had happened to me. Switch the food - maybe try a different pellet. Hikari sells a pellet that also helps address stress that comes in a very small package. If yours does not take to those either, then at least you don't have a huge container of pellets to deal with.
As for plants, if you go the fake route, be sure that they're silk and soft. As for real, bettas apparently love java moss. Swords get too big for smaller tanks/bowls, but from what I've been told java fern is a good choice as well. You will have to keep an eye on real plants to see if you have enough lighting and that you trim them if they start to grow like crazy. Oh also, bettas love hiding places like caves. Blue has a small clay pot in his tank and I find him chilling in there quite a bit.
Good luck with Gibson.
So I guess it just goes by each individual fish. I've read online that some betta don't eat for close to a month due to stress! Eep, I think I'd freak out a bit if that had happened to me. Switch the food - maybe try a different pellet. Hikari sells a pellet that also helps address stress that comes in a very small package. If yours does not take to those either, then at least you don't have a huge container of pellets to deal with.
As for plants, if you go the fake route, be sure that they're silk and soft. As for real, bettas apparently love java moss. Swords get too big for smaller tanks/bowls, but from what I've been told java fern is a good choice as well. You will have to keep an eye on real plants to see if you have enough lighting and that you trim them if they start to grow like crazy. Oh also, bettas love hiding places like caves. Blue has a small clay pot in his tank and I find him chilling in there quite a bit.
Good luck with Gibson.
Hi opal_eyes. 
Good choice, bettas are great beginner fish and you will soon want more! It is normal for some bettas to not eat for a while after purchase, they are still adjusting.
My 3 bettas all have java fern in with them, in my opinion it is better than java moss - it looks nicer and is only one plant to remove if you need to, whereas java fern is made up of little strands that can get sucked up when you clean the tank. But any live plant is an advantage as it helps covert fish waste to less harmful chemicals.
Good luck with Gibson, and keep us updated!
Good choice, bettas are great beginner fish and you will soon want more! It is normal for some bettas to not eat for a while after purchase, they are still adjusting. My 3 bettas all have java fern in with them, in my opinion it is better than java moss - it looks nicer and is only one plant to remove if you need to, whereas java fern is made up of little strands that can get sucked up when you clean the tank. But any live plant is an advantage as it helps covert fish waste to less harmful chemicals.
Good luck with Gibson, and keep us updated!
Ok, thanxe. He's still not eating, but tomorrow I'll try and get a different kind of pellet, or some bloodworm. And your right, I already want another betta. I saw a beautiful gold and red crowntail, but I figured I should wait and make sure I know what I'm doing with my first betta! I'm not entirely sure what kind Gibson is, so maybe I'll go look that up... thanxe again for all the advice! I'll keep updated.
I put 2 bloodworms in his tank today, and still a no go. I'm getting worried about him 
Don't worry, just try to give him a little every day (clean it up if he doesn't eat so I doesn't pollute the tank) it can sometimes take up to a week before he'll eat. I had one that ate an hour after I got him, and the one I got more recently took 3 or 4 days, can't remember now. If you don't already have real or silk plants, I would consider adding them to make him more secure. Also, like Kris said they love a little cave or something to hang out in, both of mine have resin skulls, and they like to sleep in them.
diburning
Fishaholic
bettas like to go on hunger strikes. Bribe it with some frozen bloodworms. They can't resist it.
No, it means he's quite happy - happy enough that he's preparing for babies
It doesn't mean he has any babies to take care of, of course, but, needless to say it has nothing to do with his lack of eating.In fact it means he probably doesn't care about food right now, if he's thinking about babies.
When he's hungry, he'll eat. This is normal and common among new bettas adjusting to their home. He might be picky with his food or he might not be hungry.
There is probably nothing wrong with him, though, even though I don't want to scare you, I have to say that lately I've been hearing more about how bettas with this problem will sometimes not eat for weeks and die...
But he should eat soon. ALL of my bettas did this, all of them eventually ate, and, to boot, now they always JUMP for food when they think they'll be fed! It's really cute to watch.
katie1984
New Member
Hey, I am having the same prob with my new Betta.
He is still active, but at times he just floats and it doesnt even look liek he is breathing! Its a little worrying cause i am only new to this.
He is making bubbles, but has not eatin in 4 days (since we got him). He did not take to pelletts, so I got some dried and frozen blood worms yesterday, and he still is not eating.
I am concerned about his not eating and his floating.
He is still active, but at times he just floats and it doesnt even look liek he is breathing! Its a little worrying cause i am only new to this.
He is making bubbles, but has not eatin in 4 days (since we got him). He did not take to pelletts, so I got some dried and frozen blood worms yesterday, and he still is not eating.
I am concerned about his not eating and his floating.
Yay, well thats good news that he is happy enough to make a bubble nest 
I been continuing with the pellets, and when I come back a few hours later, they are gone. I am not entirely sure if he is eating them or if they sank, so I will have to keep a closer eye on him. He is still active and everything, so I feel better. Thanxe to everyone for being so helpful I hope things work out with your betta katie1984
Oh, and I looked up some pictures of different kinds of bettas, and I believe he is a veil tail.
I been continuing with the pellets, and when I come back a few hours later, they are gone. I am not entirely sure if he is eating them or if they sank, so I will have to keep a closer eye on him. He is still active and everything, so I feel better. Thanxe to everyone for being so helpful I hope things work out with your betta katie1984 Oh, and I looked up some pictures of different kinds of bettas, and I believe he is a veil tail.
Okay, well it looks like Gibson has started eating I bought a bit bigger tank today for him, along with fake sword plant, and a little cave thingy. I also bough another betta today, and his name is Swizzles. He has the same setup, so hopefully he won't worry me like Gibson did. Thanxe again to all for your help.
I bought a bit bigger tank today for him, along with fake sword plant, and a little cave thingy. I also bough another betta today, and his name is Swizzles. He has the same setup, so hopefully he won't worry me like Gibson did. Thanxe again to all for your help. Similar threads
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