Spits Out Food

[happyannie]

My new rescue Betta, Finn, is having a problem eating. I've been feeding him flakes as he can't seem to take in the pellets. However, he can't seem to take in the flakes too. He tries but then spits them out. I break them up into tiny bits but they are even too big then. I'm down to trying goldfish flakes with him as they aren't as thick. Should I start him on some Maracyns in case he has an infection of some sort?
I moved him into a 5 1/2 gallon tank and his temperature is steady at 79 degrees. He was having a problem feeding before I moved him. His fins were pretty chewed up but he's hung in there. Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[GuppyDude]

You should probably nix the flake idea, those will be even worse for him in the long run. i recommend soaking the betta pellets in water, maybe soften them up. this is very common with new fish, so dont worry too much, he could be this way for a few days. unless he is showing any obvious sighns of weakness to illness, he'll be alright, just needs time to adjust.

 

[Rediahs]

My new fish did it too. After a couple days he came around. I had more success feeding him freeze dried red grubs (are those bloodworms? can says "red grubs", it's Nutrafin basics betta food), but eventually he came around and now he devours pellets like as though I haven't fed him in weeks.

In my experience, all soaking the food does is make it sink. :\

 

[sukie]

happy - how long have you had him??

I would say he's probably being picky and that's worrying/annoying you. . . . I would say stick to one type of food - pellets/flakes (up to you) and then feed him once a day and soon he will get the message that this is all that's coming and he should eat. (unless he's sick then we'll have to tackle that one)

 

[happyannie]

I've only had him 1 week or thereabouts. He's active otherwise and made a little bubblenest the first night he was here! He's active and friendly otherwise. Loves his new quarters too! I've fed flakes to another Betta who was too young to eat adult food and I feed them to my old guy sometimes too. They're pretty pricey and got lots of nutrients. I appreciate the reassurance he's maybe being picky. I sure hope that's the case but if not thanks to reading some great info here and elsewhere on the web, I'm forearmed with a kit of treaments. Thanks for the replies!

 

[sukie]

Let us know how it goes!!

 

[happyannie]

Thanks for your support. We'll give it another coupla days here and then we start on the Maracyns if things don't progress.

 

[happyannie]

Dang, that boy was slurping down bloodworms last night like he'd never eaten before. I've never used them but bought some frozen ones. They are utterly repugnant but anything for my guys.

 

[sukie]

He for sure is picky then!!!

Just stick to the pellets/flakes for awhile - he'll come around for sure!!

 

[happyannie]

He's afraid of me too ( but then who wouldn't be?) so when I stand over the tank, he gets all upset and bent out of shape. He flies all over the tank after he has a few bites and won't eat his food. He's real friendly thru the glass but then when I open the top and start sticking my fingers in there.......... I might feel right now like we need a Betta psychic at my house but this will work out. Tanks Sukie! Use your psychic powers to talk to him pulleez if you have any. 8)

 

[sukie]

It takes time to get them to trust ya. . .I've seen it before! I'd give him a couple weeks and he should come around.

A betta whisper is what you need!!!

 

[_cRaCkEr_]

He's afraid of me too ( but then who wouldn't be?) so when I stand over the tank, he gets all upset and bent out of shape. He flies all over the tank after he has a few bites and won't eat his food. He's real friendly thru the glass but then when I open the top and start sticking my fingers in there.......... I might feel right now like we need a Betta psychic at my house but this will work out. Tanks Sukie! Use your psychic powers to talk to him pulleez if you have any. 8)

Satarve him for a day or 2 then put a mirror make him flare.

 

[happyannie]

Yeah I think he's going on a crash diet for a short bit. I have to change out his water as we have a bloodworm mess here. I've hated to do that since he's been here as he seemed to change his mind about me being a nice lady as the water was draining out of his bowl...but that's life. He has to get used to those things too as a part of life around here. He's got a little bubblenest going so he can't be all that bad off. I'll put one of the cats up by the tank and that will get him flaring. Just kidding but a mirror will do the trick. Thanks!

 

[laceypup]

Yeah I think he's going on a crash diet for a short bit. I have to change out his water as we have a bloodworm mess here. I've hated to do that since he's been here as he seemed to change his mind about me being a nice lady as the water was draining out of his bowl...but that's life. He has to get used to those things too as a part of life around here. He's got a little bubblenest going so he can't be all that bad off. I'll put one of the cats up by the tank and that will get him flaring. Just kidding but a mirror will do the trick. Thanks!

My betta initially spit out everything but flakes & bloodworms. Now he's so picky, he only finds one brand of bloodworms acceptable to him. B)