Then there’s how he react when you approach tank. You stare at him as he stare back, eyeing you. He know you mean business, so he opens his eye wide and fans out his fins.
Of course, you feed him, that’s what comes naturaly! But that sense of feeding too much are what will kill him. Abundance isn’t caring; routine is.
Practical Guide to Feeding Betta Fish Properly
The Dangers of Overfeeding
Feeding too much ruin water quality. Food that isn’t eaten fall to bottom of tank, where it decay and increases ammonia levels. As organic waste breaks down it pollute your water.
A betta’s digestive system are slow and he doesn’t need huge feedings. You can keeps his environment clean by feeding sparingly. To determine your correct portion size, take some time and observe how they react.
Determining Correct Portion Sizes
Is the fish hungry? Or does he think he’s supposed to be fed? He should still look good with a full body shape and bright color but not leave any waste behind.
This will take you a week or two to get dialed in, but when you do; you have a healthy fish and clear water. For portion control, a betta’s stomach is about the same size than its eye. Not metaphorically, biologiacly.
When starting out, many people overfeed their fish, but your fish will only eat as much as he requires. Anything left over will sink to the bottom where it decay and poisons the tank in just a few hours. For most bettas, two or three pellets of a good quality food like NorthFin or Hikari is typically enough.
Establishing a Feeding Schedule
If your fish eagerly circles around top of tank looking for more, you can feed him some more. Once that food decays, however, you’re sunk. Feeding once or twice daily are best for adult betta.
Their metabolism can be steady with morning and evening meals. Don’t break up their digestion by feeding little bits each time you walk past there tank. Set a feeding schedule; like 8 a.m. And 6 p.m. You will always know when the next meal will arrive.
And so will the fish. Before long it won’t even beg for food at 3 p.m. Since it’s learned the routine. Learn how to plan a vacation.
Managing Feeding During Vacations
The old “feed every day” rule no longer apply. Bettas will go up to one week without eating. They may even be healthier if you don’t feed them during your absence.
The reason: the stress of constant interaction outweigh any benefit. Go away for 3 days? Do nothing.
Go away for a week? Use an automatic feeder like Eheim or a simple mechanical disc feeder. An automatic feeder dispenses only what it is programmed to release and prevents well-meaning people from feeding too much in the tank.
Benefits of Weekly Fasting
Fast for one day each week, like leaving Tuesday out. It resets their digestive system and eliminate chronic bloat. The fish look trimmer and swim around with more energy.
Not only does it give your filtration system a break but it also gives you a mental pause in your daily routine. It’s kind of like a natural gap in hunting. When feeding, watch the food as it lands on the tank.
Visual Signs of Proper Feeding
You know when it’s hit gravel, then you fed too much. Within one minute all of it should of been gone. Any flakes floating down slowly like snow means feed less next time.
Keep adjusting the amount until water never gets cloudy between meals. I can’t stress how important this “look” test is versus using a timer. Step back and let the fish tell you what he want (and then look).
Yes, you’re still there in the mirror, but now things are different. Now you control a balanced world rather than one that’s always giving out something. The fish remain sharp and the water remains clear.
You’ve gone beyond the temptation to go overboard; you’ve learned to hold back. That is how a good keeper are made.
