Tropical Passion

Hi all, I had a Betta that died on News Years Day. He seemed to be healthy enough - he spawned, but since I got him from the pet store, he didn't eat a bite.
I tried Betta pellets and freeze dried bloodworms but he wouldn't eat either of them. He didn't move that much. I don't think there was anything wrong with the tank, good size with live plants, gravel, a light.
I thought he was just sick so I got another Betta. This one seems very happy and healthy, he moves around a lot but I don't think he's eaten anthing either! he is in the same tank as the other Betta that died, but I cleaned it and everything inside it completley.
Am I doing something wrong? What do you guys feed your Bettas??
Any help would be appreciated.

Chief_waterchanger

Did you cycle your tank?

http://www.fishlore.com/WaterChemistry.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm

If you are buying your bettas from the same source I would stop doing that. Obviously the bettas received from your current source are lacking in health more so than others.

What are you trying to feed the betta?

WELCOME TO FISHLORE.

Alia1074

When I first got my betta, she didn't eat very much either. But I figured it was because she was such an itty bitty baby and the pellets were too big for her little mouth. If this is the case with you, then I would just let the pellets soak in the water a little and then once they are moist, just squish them a little to break them down. So far that has worked well for us.
Good luck!

COBettaCouple

Welcome to fishlore.

I would recommend an API master freshwater testing kit and using a tap water conditioner called Prime. What temp. is the water at? Do you have a picture of him? You might try thawed frozen bloodworms or thawed & peeled frozen peas torn into pellet sized pieces (up to 3 of each) for him, or some freeze-dried daphnia. You could also try soaking a few freeze-dried bloodworms in a little dish of garlic juice until they're plump.

LuvaBetta

My girls weren't sure about the pellets at first, and they swam around with the pellets in their mouths for several minutes. They must have soaked them pretty well, then went on to eat them.

(But you can imagine how they looked; since a betta's mouth is closer to the top of their heads they looked like seals balancing beach balls on their noses!)

Alia1074

OMG, my betta does the same thing! too funny.

voiceless_kat

Don't ya love them?

Tropical Passion

Oh no, I didn't know anything about the water cycle!
The pet store told me to get the tank, set it up, leave it for a day without the fish and get the fish. Then float the bag in the water for about 20 mins, open the bag and put some of the water form the tank in and eventually let it out!
What should I do?
Should i get a heater?
Thankyou.

Chief_waterchanger

I would recommend getting a heater and keeping the waterchanged atleast 20% every 3 or 4 days until the tank has several weeks to setup good bacteria that help break down waste. The API Master Test Kit can help you keep a reading on the chemical levels (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate.)

Tropical Passion

Oh ok, thanks I'll be sure to get a water testing kit. Thanks for all your help everyone, my fishy is looking very healthy and he might have eaten a bit of pea today!

0morrokh

How big is the tank? What's the temp?

COBettaCouple

Also, try to find a bottle of "Prime" and an empty dropper bottle (like the empty travel bottles for shampoo) and use 1 drop of Prime per gallon to treat your tap water. This will help your Betta boy by protecting him some against the toxins in the water during a cycle.