New Betta Won't Eat

[robert1979]

Hi,
My tank finally cycled and I now have a betta in my 20 gallon tank along with 6 harlequins. I have had them all for about 3 days now. Well, the harlequins eat just fine (feeding them flakes). On the first night I fed them the betta tried the flakes but spit them right out. He tried several flakes but didn't actually eat any. So I bought some freeze dried blood worms and wardley's betta pellets to try out. The harlequins noticed the blood worms and ate some but I don't think the betta even saw them. I tried putting pellets and worms in front of him but he din't really pay them attention. He is acting fine, active and exploring his new home. Could it be he doesn't notice the food since it really isn't falling literally right in front of his face since he is no longer housed in a tiny plastic cup. Maybe he isn't aware that he needs to "look" for food? Hope that makes scense

I know I must sound completely lame but I just worry about my new betta. I don't want him to starve. Should he be able to smell the food? Is he just taking a while to get used to the new home? Is there something I should be doing different?

Oh, and all my water stats are fine, no ammonia, no nitrite and low nitrates, ph at about 7.2-7.4. My filter is a bio-wheel 150 and I keep the water level high enough that it doesn't disturb the water surface too terribly much (think I read bettas didn't like strong currents?).

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!!!

 

[mommyof2bettas]

He just needs to get adjusted, it can take a week or longer for him to start eating, maybe less, maybe more, it all dpends on the betta.

 

[Maxsmom]

If your betta is new... then he's probably still stressed from the transfer from a store to your home and to a new tank. When I first brought my Max home... he didn't eat for almost a week and a half. He had maybe 2-3 pellets during that time. I also tried feeding him flakes (what he was fed before) and nothing.

Then someone from another forum suggested frozen (but thawed) bloodworms. It's very hard for them to pass up - it's nutricious and full of protein (they're meat eaters). That kick-started his appetite... now he looks forward to anything. I now feed him the Hikari Bio Gold Pellets, frozen/thawed bloodworms (2-3x /wk) and a small piece of frozen/thawed pea (to avoid constipation) 1-2x/wk.

And speaking of constipation... anything freeze-dried tends to do that in bettas... so you may want to cut that out. I tossed my package of freeze-dried bloodworms when I noticed Max wasn't poo'ing.

These are just my experiences and what I've been told. Good luck!

 

[liz2]

When I have new bettas I try to attract their attention with a little mirror. Take lid off and when they have noticed the mirror waggle your finger on top of the water..they usually investigate it..hold a flake and put it just in the water and they usually snatch them. He probably hasnt worked out where the food station is yet...

 

[robert1979]

Thanks for all of the advice. I think I will keep trying the flakes for the harlequins and the pellets for the betta. I will also stop the freez dried blood worms and switch to the frozen kind, giving them a few times a week maybe? Will also give the pea a try.

thanks again for all the responses.