The Ideal Betta Diet Mystery...

So, as a few of you already know, I have an almost 1 year old betta fish. He was my first fish buy. I've gone through a few ups and downs as far as lessons go with being a newbie freshwater tanker. Up until this point in time, my betta has been pretty resilient and has survived my newbie mistakes...

...but....

I don't know if he'll make it through this one. Like I posted in my last thread, he has been constipated for literally months now. It has been a slowly increasing in size...bump..to his underside.His bowels area is very red. Now, I'll admit. At first I didn't know to soak the pellets. I used to give him at least 2-3 pellets twice a day. 1 bloodworm on occasion...

Then, I noticed he wasn't pooping as often and he began to swell. I started to research and began to soak his pellets for at least 5 mins and started t only give him max, 2 pellets twice a day as well as substituting the pellets for 1/4 a pea now and then. (as well as fasted him on Thursdays)

Yet, no matter what I did, it seemed he only got worse. I have done magnesium sulfate baths and have tried a round of antibiotic treatment. Now, I have noticed as of a couple days ago, his scales are turning out like a pine cone. (dropsy?) he looks extremely uncomfortable but swims normally minus staying more at the top of the tank and being still for longer periods. . .

I ordered daphnia two days ago... and I hope it comes in the mail today...

I am still not sure what caused this, perhaps it built up over time and even though I fixed my wrongdoings over time as well, it may hot be enough to save him.

I have researched and researched the perfect or ideal diet for a betta fish and I have to say, its not that easy to find an expert's opinion.

Therefore, I turn to this forum in hopes to learn the truth.
here are my questions:

1.) Are pellets even good for fish to eat at all? I'm starting to believe my brand of pellets are killing my fish.
2.) How are we supposed to get fat into his diet?
3.) Is it better to cut a blood worm and then feed it to the fish instead of letting them swallow it whole?
4.) What are the worst brands to use as well as the best ones? (with price in mind)

*~~thank you so much for reading~~*

 

1) What brand are you using? You should always soak pellets before feeding them.
2) Bettas don't really need fatty foods, as long as they are getting their carnivorous diet they are fine.
3) They can chew it, but you can do what you want.
4) I don't have any brands that I consider the worst, only ones that I prefer not to feed.

 

Fanatic, thank you for your response. I am currently using a very common brand called wardley for my betta fish. Although at the moment, I am currently fasting him while the daphnia comes in the mail (and he tends to eat the guppy's flakes when I fast him which I'm, not sure is okay)

 

I feed mine primarily flakes. Its the only thing they will all eat. I throw other stuff in on occasion for them but their stape diet would be the flakes. They seem to prefer the hikira brand best.

 

Honestly, there are better brands of pellets than others. If wheat or corn or another grain is the first ingredient, then those are not as good. It can cause constipation.

I use Omega One Betta Buffet pellets.
(I had some HikarI Betta Bio Gold, but I have put them to the side. They have wheat as a top ingredient and I was afraid they may cause bloating.)

I also feed frozen bloodworms (whole) and frozen spirulina Brine Shrimp. >> Thaw before feeding of course!

The diet I am currently feeding is about half pellets and half frozen foods. I just rotate what I feed each day.

 

David1978, Thank you for your reply. I just got my HikarI Daphnia in the mail today. Betta seems to really like it... I just don't know how much linger he can live... and I'm currently debating Euthanasia =( I will be doing another post about this dilemma in a minute...

 

Wystearya, than you for your reply as well. I will keep in mind about the wheat/corn etc. Like I said above, I'm not sure how long my little buddy has left... I will be doing another thread about possible Euthenasia.. =(

 

Best of luck to you!

If your fish does pass on, you can always take what you have learned and try again.

 

Just to be sure, have you tried fasting him for 3-4 days? I only feed my betta 1 pellet a day, or a small amout of frozen mysis shrimp. If he gets bloated, I just completely stop feeding until he's back to his normal size... usually takes 3-4 days.