Am I Feeding Betta Appropriately?

So I am committed to doing right by my little Betta friend and will continue to learn all there is to know about this wonderful species. But as much as I've read, I am still a little bit in doubt as to the appropriate amount of food to provide for him. I have heard repeatedly that 4-5 rehydrated pellets a day is appropriate, supplemented by periodic feeding of quality frozen or rehydrated freeze-dried foods. But I'm not experienced enough to know if all betta pellets are roughly the same size? The picture shows what he has been getting, and I give him 4-5 of these usually twice daily. Sometimes, I'll substitute a couple rehydrated freeze dried "bloodworms" (look like mosquito larvae) chopped into bite size, or a very small amount of the frozen food de jour. Sound reasonable? 4 of these tiny pellets daily just doesn't seem to me to be enough for such an active fish of this size. Thanks as always!

 

That's the amount my betta gets once a day, maybe even a bit less...now I feel like I'm underfeeding...

 

4 of these tiny pellets daily just doesn't seem to me to be enough for such an active fish of this size.

Betta stomachs are actually pretty small, even though their energy levels are often through the roof! The size of your betta actually factors in somewhat--I don't know if there's a magic number that works for all bettas. My delta tail gets fed more (3 HikarI bio-gold pellets twice a day = 6 total) than my crowntail (2 x 2 = 4) because the delta tail is considerably bigger. Bloodworms, brine shrimp, and flake food are things I kind of just eyeball/guess at.

If you're unsure of if your betta is getting fed enough (hint: a healthy betta will always, always demand MORE!! You must resist!) you can always add a little more food but split up/space out the feeding sessions. I personally feed twice a day; some people feed a little more than I do, but spread out over three times a day.

I usually adjust the amount based on how pudgy my fish are looking when it's feeding time. My crowntail has a bad habit of eating chunks out of his plants, and if he's looking bloated because of that, I'll fast him for a feeding session.

Basically, you can experiment a bit to see what works for you and your betta. Just remember that you don't want a fat betta (no matter how smugly happy he/she looks afterward), so if your fish is starting to look bloated after a meal, try decreasing the portion size for the next feeding.

 

That's the amount my betta gets once a day, maybe even a bit less...now I feel like I'm underfeeding...

Oh, I bet what you are doing is fine. I just really wanted to collect the opinions of experienced betta owners on this topic. And I was wondering if my pellets are the same size as everyone else's. It could very well be that I am overfeeding a little bit. It's just that many of my other fish eat far more ounce per ounce than what I give the betta (the angelfish, for example, get quite aggressive if I try to cut back their ravenous feeding schedule). Just makes me wonder. I'll of course keep a close eye on him.

I'm sure there is no definitive solution that applies to every betta... I just don't want him to hunger unnecessarily, and on the other end, I certainly don't want to cause bloat or anything. Thanks for the advice everyone, keep it coming if you have any thoughts!

 

A picture of your betta, topside and side view would be helpful. Although the amount of food you're feeding seems fine. A betta's body shouldn't be super thin, but should be relatively round.

 

And I was wondering if my pellets are the same size as everyone else's. It could very well be that I am overfeeding a little bit.

Fredbetta86 actually did an experiment comparing the sizes of some common betta pellets, when rehydrated and when dry: Betta Pellet Food Experiment

I just don't want him to hunger unnecessarily

According to my betta boys, they are always hungry hungry hungry always. You're likely doing great.

 

Snapped a couple quick photos. The light conditions aren't good for a top down photo, but you can get a sense of things from these, I'd guess...

 

Fredbetta86 actually did an experiment comparing the sizes of some common betta pellets, when rehydrated and when dry: Betta Pellet Food Experiment



According to my betta boys, they are always hungry hungry hungry always. You're likely doing great.

That's a great thread. Thank you very much!

 

I have read that a betta's stomach is roughly the size of its eye. I have been trying to feed to that amount (3-4 pellets twice a day) but it's so hard to resist. My betta makes a loud crunchy chewy sound near water surface, it's adorable

 

View attachment 329688 View attachment 329687 View attachment 329686 Snapped a couple quick photos. The light conditions aren't good for a top down photo, but you can get a sense of things from these, I'd guess...

He's beautiful and looks fairly muscular so you are pretty much in line I would say. Not an expert, but that's about what mine get and they are muscular too.

 

The way I usually estimate the amount of food is by the look of his belly when he eats. I aI'm for rounded but not like a pregnant fish. It takes about 3-4 Omega one pellets (soaked) per feeding, I feed twice a day. Every couple of days he gets frozen brine shrimp or frozen bloodworms. It's hard to tell the amount of the frozen food, I just watch his belly I guess.
P.S. You have a gorgeous boy!

 

He looks well fed. Never leave food in the tank for him to eat later though. Only feed him what he can eat in under 5 min. Love the colors on him by the way. Does he have a name?

 

Oh, don't worry, he eats in about 7 seconds. Thank you, his name is Chummy!

 

Oh, don't worry, he eats in about 7 seconds. Thank you, his name is Chummy!

I like it haha
Good luck.