5 Gallon Tank New Beta Not Eating.

HI All!

I purchased a Beta fish on Friday 7/12 and am having trouble feeding him. He did not show interest in food until today 7/15 and sucked up a pellet and spit it out and did not eat it. He seems very healthy, flaring his gills at his reflection and swimming all around the tank.

I am not sure what to do but any help would be appreciated.
-Rachel

 

It sounds like he could just be a picky betta. Soaking his food in garlic extract could tempt him to eat as it's a flavor enhancer and appetite stimulant. It could just be that he doesn't like that brand of food or isn't used to it, try different brands and see how he reacts to it or find out what he was fed at the petstore. Many bettas will easily take to frozen foods such as bloodworms or brine shrimp so you cold also try feeding those. If those don't work then don't feed him for a few days and he should become hungry which would make him more accepting of foods.

 

Any idea what he was fed at the shop? Sounds like he is either picky or doesn't think your food is adequate
You might try soaking the food first so it's not a hard ball he has to eat. If possible, check your backyard for some live food (mosquito larvae, small earthworms, etc) just to make sure he doesn't starve until you can get him to eat or find a different food.

 

It sounds like he could just be a picky betta. Soaking his food in garlic extract could tempt him to eat as it's a flavor enhancer and appetite stimulant. It could just be that he doesn't like that brand of food or isn't used to it, try different brands and see how he reacts to it or find out what he was fed at the petstore. Many bettas will easily take to frozen foods such as bloodworms or brine shrimp so you cold also try feeding those. If those don't work then don't feed him for a few days and he should become hungry which would make him more accepting of foods.

Awesome! Thank you for your advice

Any idea what he was fed at the shop? Sounds like he is either picky or doesn't think your food is adequate
You might try soaking the food first so it's not a hard ball he has to eat. If possible, check your backyard for some live food (mosquito larvae, small earthworms, etc) just to make sure he doesn't starve until you can get him to eat or find a different food.

THANK YOU SO MUCH for the help!!!!

 

It's also not uncommon for fish to not eat due to stress of being in new environment. If he spit it out, he might not like that food.
My fish (platies, mollies, bettas) love Bug Bites.