small betta - how to feed?

[betazigzag]

hi!
we just got another betta yesterday at a store in a cup but his fins and body seem to be in incredibly good shape, a few very minor tears but thats all. he appears quite healthy, active and swims to the glass when we enter the room. pretty sure he's male because of all the long fins (doesn't look anything like any females we've seen) but seems to be quite young because he's so small. i'd guess this guy is about 1 1/2 inches long including his fins. we are feeding him hikari betta bio pellets and tetramin (which our other betta loves) but they seem to be too big for him. he will try to eat it, spit it out then let it go. if we break it into smaller pieces he will eat the tetramin, but not much. any suggestions on anything small that we can give this little guy to eat as he grows? he's alone in a cycled 5 gallon tank with a corner filter (on very low), light, some live plants and a heater set at 74 right now (should I make it warmer?)
thank you for your help!!

 

[Sorrell]

Congrats on your new betta I would turn the heater up to at least 78 For food you can buy some frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp, they look bigg, but they are able to take them down a lot easier then the pellets

 

[betazigzag]

frozen bloodworms or brine shrimp, they look bigg, but they are able to take them down a lot easier then the pellets

thanks for your answer i've seen cans of both of those available around here but haven't run across any frozen yet. is there a specific difference?

 

[Sorrell]

Yes, you want to get frozen, the freeze dried is not good for their systems. Most pet/fish stores carry frozen food, but many of them you'll have to ask for it

 

[f250fisherman]

Since Sorrel took my answer...I'll just say Hikari and SanFrancisco brands are probably the best. Frozen foods rock..they do more for your betta than anything except the same foods live....