Solving Betta Fish Hunger Problems
Betta fish have the instinct to eat what they find in the wild. They exhibit the same behavior in aquariums. It’s worrying when your betta, who rushes typically to the glass at feeding time, suddenly refuses to eat. It might seem like a small thing but skipping meals can be a sign that something’s not right. It could be a health issue, stress or something unusual in the tank.
If it’s for a short period, it’s normal and you need nothing to do. However, if the situation persists for a long, it could indicate severe illness or another health issue. A lot of betta owners go through this and it’s normal to feel confused or even a little helpless.
We’ve experienced this when our new betta King, who started spitting out frozen food even though we had used the same food before without any issues.
The problem of betta fish not eating the food is commonly observed by the new betta owners when they introduce a betta to a new environment. Let’s discuss some of the serious reasons behind the alarming condition of bettas refusing food.
Causes of Betta Fish Not Eating
Picky Eating Habits
Betta fish have a selective nature when it comes to eating food. They sometimes reject the food you offer without any reason. In such cases, you don’t need to worry. There could be several reasons behind this behavior. You need to change your food type, texture and feeding schedule.
Overfeeding or Lack of Hunger
Bettas accept every bit of food you offer. So sometimes they may go overfeeding and ultimately lack appetite in the long term. It can lead to going for several days without eating. Bettas may decline the food for more than a week. If the condition persists for a long term, it could be alarming for your betta. To overcome this problem, reduce the amount of feeding.
Overfeeding also results in uneaten food, which can increase ammonia levels in the tank. Betta may rely on uneaten food as its primary source, which is undesirable. Clean the substrate regularly to remove leftover food.
Behavioral Traits
Bettas might refuse to eat one specific type of food and accept the other. For instance, my own betta always avoids pellets and flakes. Initially, we misunderstood this behavior as not eating food. However, with time we realized it was a behavioral trait and started offering his favorite options, live or frozen foods.
Poor Water Quality
It’s the quality of water on which everything of betta fish depends. Water conditions significantly affect the appetite of betta fish. Water with abnormal ammonia, nitrate and nitrite levels stress the betta, reducing hunger.
Even if test strips indicate safe levels of ammonia, pH and nitrate, the water still poses unfavorable conditions for your betta fish. Use up-to-date and branded water testing kits to reduce the chances of inaccuracy in measuring water parameters. Additionally, increase the frequency of water changes and upgrade your tank to a larger size.
Temperature Concerns
Temperature is the crucial parameter for betta fish, so we have covered it separately. Bettas survive in tropical regions where the temperature ranges from 78-82°F. An unsuitable temperature can affect the digestive tract of betta, leading to a lack of appetite.
The solution is simple. If the tank temperature is lower than the ideal range, gradually raise it (2°F per hour) until it reaches an optimum level. There should be an even temperature distribution across all aquarium areas. To ensure a stable and even temperature, provide a reliable heater that functions appropriately.
Avoiding Contaminants
Any chemicals on your hands like soap, lotions or perfumes can contaminate the water and harm the fish. Before handling tank items, always rinse your hands with hot water, without soap. If contamination occurs, replace everything in the tank, as filters cannot remove these substances.
Potential Illness or Parasites
One of the main reasons a betta may refuse to eat is illness such as fin rot, dropsy, swim bladder disorder, lethargy, or discoloration. Monitor for any signs of sickness. If you observe white spots or specks, it could indicate a bacterial or fungal infection.
Hyper-aggression, anxiety or lethargy indicate stress. Anything other than usual such as a smaller tank and high ammonia and nitrate levels can lead to stress in the betta. To eliminate this, consider using a stress-relief product like a Stress Coat to calm your betta. If you don’t observe any visible signs of illness and the betta fins are fully open as usual, it’s likely adjusting and not ill.
Stress from a New Environment
Upon introducing your betta to a new environment, it often stops eating temporarily. The unfamiliar environment of the new tank can overwhelm the betta, resulting in a temporary loss of appetite.
To resolve the issue, keep the lights off to maintain a calm environment. You all need to give your betta time to adjust to its surroundings and acclimate before introducing food. Additionally, be consistent with feeding times and food choices. Avoid offering too many options at once to confuse him.
Lack of Resting Spots
Bettas usually eat near the water surface. If they don’t find any resting spot near the surface, they won’t come to the top for eating, ultimately resulting in food refusal. To address this, make sure your betta has a good resting spot like a leaf hammock.
Unusual Causes and Considerations
Climate and Seasonal Changes: If you do not use a reliable heater that maintains a stable temperature, sudden temperature fluctuations especially during cold winters can affect betta appetite.
Inbreeding: I have noticed that my personal bettas sometimes exhibit unusual symptoms despite ideal care conditions. After much experimentation, I discovered that inbreeding contributes to sensitivity and health problems in betta fish.
Possible Blindness: If your betta doesn’t react to movement or food, blindness might be a factor. This is sometimes genetic especially in bettas with the opaque gene. To feed a blind betta, place food near its mouth and allow it to feel it physically.
Old Age: Bettas older than 3 or 4 years, their average lifespan, may stop eating food. Inexperienced betta lovers often buy gull-grown fish at a disadvantage. Ensure the fish you source from stores is young and in good health.
Treatment
There is not a single solution to the betta hunger problem. Just like the issue is caused by several reasons, so are the solutions for each reason separately. We are going to talk about some of the most common treatments that should be carried out to let the betta resume eating food.
Treating Constipation
- Stop feeding for two days.
- If the issue persists, feed half a boiled and skinned pea. Wait 24 hours before feeding again and monitor results.
- As a last resort, try feeding daphnia, which is rich in chitin and can help clear blockages.
Fixing the Water Quality
Poor water quality is one of the top reasons bettas stop eating. The water might look clean, but it can still have invisible problems like high ammonia or nitrites.
Start by testing the water using an API Freshwater Master Test Kit. It’s pretty easy to use and will show you if your water has anything harmful in it.
If ammonia or nitrites are high, do a partial water change immediately, not a full one, to avoid shocking your fish. If nitrates are the issue, start doing regular weekly changes.
Any adjustments to pH should be made slowly. Sudden changes can make things worse. Use a good heater and thermometer to ensure your water stays between 78–82°F (25.5–27.8°C).
Reducing Stress in the Tank
A stressed-out betta won’t eat. It’s as simple as that. Make sure the tank is at least 5 gallons with plenty of plants and hiding spots (real or silk plants, caves, etc.). Bettas like a calm environment, so avoid strong filters. Go for gentle water flow if you can.
Also, ensure the tank isn’t in a busy or loud spot like next to a TV or door. And if you’ve added new fish, ensure they aren’t picking on your betta. If they are, remove them or separate your betta.
Adjusting Tank Setup
Rearrange the tank decorations occasionally so that bettas find a new environment. This will prevent the betta from getting bored in an existing environment. It has been experienced that bettas resume eating food when we change the tank setup. Ensure frequent hiding and resting places, as shy bettas prefer to stay in hidden places.
Adding Tannins
Adding tannins to the betta tank has multiple benefits. It is considered one of the emergency remedies against bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections. It mimics a betta natural habitat. Tannins can be beneficial when you are unsure how to deal with a specific disease. You can get tannins from:
- Indian almond leaves
- Alder cones
- Blackwater extract
- Organic rooibos tea bags (unsweetened)
Avoid Overuse of Aquarium Salt
Betta owners usually treat most chronic problems with aquarium salt. Remember, aquarium salt should only be used when necessary. Using salt frequently can harm the fish’s labyrinth organ, leading to further chronic issues and a loss of appetite in the long term.
If you have used the aquarium salt for any valid reason, remove it immediately after fulfilling the mission by regularly changing the water.
Tips to Improve Appetite
Improve the appetite of your betta by encouraging natural behavior and increasing interest in food. For that, provide live food such as live mosquito larvae. Use frozen bloodworms, brine shrimp and sun-dried shrimp to offer variety and nutritional balance. We use the following brands of food for my personal bettas.
- Omega One
- New Life Spectrum Thera +A contains garlic for immune boosting and appetite stimulation
- Fluval Bug Bites, made of insect larvae offering natural protein
Other techniques that have worked for us to improve betta fish desire for food include slowly introducing the food and mixing it with other familiar foods. Soaking pellets in garlic juice makes them more appetizing and provides immune-boosting benefits.
Similarly, break the food bites into smaller pieces of betta eye per meal. Avoid sudden movements near the tank to minimize external disturbances.
Don’t use melafix, as it contains essential oils that are ineffective against pathogens and may harm bettas.
To learn more about feeding your betta fish, don’t miss reading our complete article.
