What To Feed Betta When Live Food Is Unavailable

[nortonmad213]

hi, so i have been feeding my betta on a diet of bloodworm, daphnia and brine shrimp, but with it being bank holiday weekend last weekend i was unable to get to the lfs and buy some live. all i have now is freezedried bloodworm, the box says to only be given as a treat, will my boy be ok just on freezedried bloodworm or is there anything else i should get hold of if possible?
thanks

 

[Chad]

I like Hikari Betta Bio-Gold. I used it in a feeder for the betta I kept at work. He was a very healthy fish on it with great color. 

 

[fluttermoth]

He's probably best on a normal flake or pellet food. You can get special betta foods, but they're really not necessary.
 
You should be feeding live foods only as a treat as well; they're not nutritionally balanced enough for a staple diet.

 

[nortonmad213]

is that available in uk? and would a diet of just that suffice if i can get it soon.
i tried him on freeze dried daphnia yesterday and since then he hasn't moved from under the filter.
nitrate levels of 40 yesterday and zero everything else.
since done 3 water changes just wondered if his food was to blame?

sorry forgot to mention he also has some sticks which i give my females and he'll peck at a couple of them and then back to the filter. the filter doesn't have any suction as its air powered

 

[Chad]

My work betta had that as his sole diet. He did well and lived long. His fins were always in good shape too. 
I think Hikari is pretty much available at most of your chain pet stores. 
I personally don't care much for freeze dried foods as vacation foods as they really should be soaked before feeding and that can't be done on vacation. I like a flake or a slow sinking pellet for vacations.

 

[nortonmad213]

ah i see. a pack of that it'll be then. thanks alot

its cheaper over here. £2.89 with free postage

 

[Chad]

That's a lot cheaper if that's for the same size. That little bag lasts forever by the way as betta don't really eat all that much of it. 

 

[nortonmad213]

heres the link
http/www.amazon.co.uk/Hikari-Tropical-Betta-Bio-Gold-Fish/dp/B0079XEXSG/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1399404908&sr=1-1&keywords=hikari+betta+bio+gold

 

[Chad]

That's a great price for sure.

 

[nortonmad213]

is it the same size? im not sure on grams to ounces
anyone any idea on why he's only be staying under the filter ?

 

[Chad]

Often the area under the filter is an area of very low flow so they will go there to enjoy the calm and other times it casts a shadow they like. 

 

[nortonmad213]

its the filter shown in ch4rlies diy project he posted earlier. 
just concerned because he only comes out for food and his tail has clamped up solid the past couple of days

 

[Chad]

Is there maybe too much flow?

 

[nortonmad213]

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/432799-penn-plax-smallworld-filter/
its this filter, its split by a gang valve to work with an airstone as well. its been this way for 2 months so i can't see why he's clamped up and gone shy now. would it be worth making a post in the emergency section?

 

[Chad]

That's a small filter and I doubt it would cause any issues. 
 
Can you post a photo of the fish?