Picky Eater

[Eviltoon]

Hello folks, I just introduced a betta to my tank of tetras. Pleased to see they are leaving this beauty alone and not playing with it's long fins. But I am a tad concerned with it's poor eating. It goes for the fish flakes that my other fish devour...but this one nibbles then spits it them out. I know there are betta pellets out there and maybe that's what the princess is expecting...but I was hoping not to have to have two sets of dinner going for the tank. Anyone out there think the betta will eventually just learn to eat flakes? Or is this just not going to happen. I don't want to stave the fish, but I am reluctant to get special food if I don't have to...any thoughts on this?

Thanks,

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

I don't want to stave the fish, but I am reluctant to get special food if I don't have to...

why? if it's better for the fish, wouldn't it be better to get them the special food?

he may just not like the flakes and you may have to buy pellets - i've read (on here) they're better for them anyways.
i would not keep a betta in with tetras though. even if they seem to leave each other alone, one day you may wake up and your betta may have no fins left or the tetras may be dead. i've had cases where my sweet betta turned on his (second) ghost shrimp once he settled in.

 

[*Fishkies*]

It may actually be worth going out and getting betta flakes and seeing if he eats those. Bettas are known to be picky sometimes. Some like flakes, some don't. Some like pellets and refuse to eat flakes. You may have to try a few different types of betta specialized foods till you find on that your betta will eat.

 

[Maxsmom]

I'm not experienced with community tanks but I would agree with the others that your betta should be eating "Betta food". Bettas are carnivores and their food is primarily comprised of meat products. I don't know the behaviour of tetras (if they try to steal the food) - but you can also hand-feed (I use tweezers actually) - bloodworms (from frozen - then thawed). Even the most pickiest of Bettas will usually eat these whole-heartedly. Pellets are the next choice. I'd stay away from anything that says freeze-dried, as I've read that often causes constipation problems in the fish.

Also - if your betta is new - new in bringing him home and/or new to the tank - it may take him a few days to get his appetite back as they're often stressed by the changes.

 

[laurasbetta]

i have yet to read about a betta on here that will turn down a good bloodworm, HOWEVER, they should be used as occasional treats and not as their primary food source.

as for buying lots of different foods, mine has 2 types of flakes, 2 types of pellets, and bloodworms. he'll only eat one of the types of flake food and the bloodworms. little stinker.... it's just something you have to do. if you had a baby who refused to eat carrot baby food, would you force it down it's little throat or make it starve until it WILL eat it instead of going out and trying different foods to see what it will eat?

 

[t.ropical_m.istx3]

i have yet to read about a betta on here that will turn down a good bloodworm

hahaha only one of mine will touch the bloodworms i bought for them.

HOWEVER, they should be used as occasional treats and not as their primary food source.

as for buying lots of different foods, mine has 2 types of flakes, 2 types of pellets, and bloodworms. he'll only eat one of the types of flake food and the bloodworms. little stinker.... it's just something you have to do. if you had a baby who refused to eat carrot baby food, would you force it down it's little throat or make it starve until it WILL eat it instead of going out and trying different foods to see what it will eat?

nicely worded