Not Very Motivated And Fussy Eater

[Jabba]

OK the wife saw a betta, now we have a betta, long story ...

Nice looking fish, not aggressive, bit timid if anything but his eating behaviour is a worry ...

I have tried all sorts to feed this guy, frozen 'mix' with bloodworm and shrimp etc, dried shrimp, Tetra Betta, normal flake .... and he seems uninterested in all of it .... he takes it in the mouth and then spits it out.

Of course that is when I can persuade the guy to come for food anyhow, if you throw food in the tank without getting his attention he simply doesn't bother - I think he is the fish equivalent of Marvin the paranoid android from Hitchhikers guide.

How can I motivate this guy ... and more important find something he will swallow ...

 

[jollysue]

How long have you had him?

Fast him a day or two. See if he will take a bit of blanched pea after he has fasted. Then after another day chose a food and offer a taste daily. Don't offer more than he will take readily.

There are others who may have better suggestions.

 

[Jabba]

Not had him long, got him Sunday.

 

[catxx]

bettas tend to fast themselves for a week or so when they're in new situations. tempermental little buggers!
what kind of tank do you have him in?

when i feed mine i make it a game, they have to jump out the water before they get their pellet! they do it everytime haha!

 

[jollysue]

Yeah, that's frequently been my experience. They often don't eat when new, and when they do they sometimes get constipated. Many animals are that way--even dogs. I've learned to start them with pea or daphnia.

 

[Jabba]

He is in a 30 gallon community tank at the moment, doesn't seem to be bothered by the other fish and I have no fin nippers etc ....

He seems happy enough to come out into open water, its odd he swims to make eye contact with you, really seems to look you straight in the eye then just disappears again with a real 'can not be bothered' type attitude.

 

[jollysue]

That's a Betta for you. You know that they will someday rule the world?

Don't mind my signature, I'm working on it.

 

[Himmel]

my mother inlaws fish was like that now he only eats flake food wont touch anything else...............she had to fast him for about 2 weeks though (got him good and hungry)
now he jumps for her. Just depends on the fish really all mine have always readily taken food right after coming home ...................... whats your temp at that could also be the problem
my mother inlaws water temp was too cold and that was the problem

 

[Jabba]

I have had the temperature down at 24 to try and eliminate a 'fungus' problem - even the substrate was going white and hairy !! - disgusting it was too ....

I lifted it to 25 yesterday, may do 26 later.

 

[jollysue]

Wow! Good guess, Himmel!

 

[Htw]

All mine really love very finely chopped up prawn [and I mean REALLY love] . A very small amount of prawn goes a long way when chopped. Bet he can't resist it !

 

[summerdragon]

when I got my current betta he didn't appear to eat for two weeks (although I think I ate leftover pellets at night time to time), what finally got him eating was bloodworm, not a shrimp/bloodworm combo, but pure bloodworm frozen, not many bettas can resist that..... Bettas are odd fish with unique personalities but ultimately they are super adaptable when they have to be... I'm sure he will be fine......