BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Fish Help For New Betta Owner

I have a pretty little figurine of a girl siting beside Eric's bowl and I think he's fallen in love with her. He goes over to that side and gets right up to the glass staring at her and strutting. You suppose he thinks she's Neputune's daughter! ROFLOL

Both of them are always interested in a glass fish I have sitting between their bowls. So funny how they go up to the side and spread out their fins and wiggle at it.

Well...see...that's what I mean about no definitive feeding wisdom. One place told me as much as they'll eat in 3 minutes, and another only once a day twice per week. I've never had a problem with the 3 minutes thing. Betty wouldn't eat much and I'd have to scoop some out so they wouldn't just be sitting there all day. Bluto is a voracious eater, and I've yet to have a problem with impaction. It seems to me if after a week now, you're feeding pattern is going "swimmingly", than it's right for you. I'll be quiet now. Thanks for hearing me out.

Thanks so much, Mamabard, you have made me feel so much better about the feeding. There are so many tales out there that one doesn't know what to do. That's why I am so happy to have found this place because I trust you guys who have had Bettas for a long time and are so knowledgeable about them.

Even though the Petco lady told me to only feed 1 pellet once or twice a day, my mind kept telling me that seemed like such a small amount. I would think as active as these fish are, it wouldn't take long to burn one teeny, tiny pellet.

Also, I couldn't believe that Hikari Betta Bio-Gold would put the directions they did on their package if it would harm the fish. In addition, the lady at the bank has never had a Betta live beyond 3 years so I wasn't sure I wanted to take her advice about only feeding every other day.

My Bettas really thank you, Mamabard, because I am now feeding the small one 2 pellets 3 x daily and the larger one 3 pellets 3 x daily. I will still give the smaller blood worms in place of the pellets every other day. I gave them more food last night and again this morning & at noon. Perhaps it is my imagination, but they seem even more active this evning than ever before.

Also, I changed 1/2 of their water this morning and added the 2 day old tap water. I'll swear that the fins on the blue fish is lighter colored and prettier than they've ever been. They are simply radiant! Before, he appeared to be almost solid colored and now there is a distinct difference between the body color and the fins.

Thanks again, Mamabard. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help.

BTW, Mamabard, please promise me that you won't be quiet. I love hearing from you and would love to know more about your Bettas and you.

I haven't figured out the picture business here, but would like to see pictures of your Betty and Bluto and I would also like to post pics of mine two babies. When I have time, I'll get it figured out.

Hi, how are your fishies doing? Yes, spring water and if you use tap water, please let it sit for more than only 2 days - it needs a full 3 days for the chlorine to disappear completely. Yes, the pellets are nutritious for the Betta Fish, but they do need some variety in their diet. That's what can help them to not be constipated. The person who told you to only feed one pellet a day was teaching you how to starve your Bettas!

Different Bettas have their own individual likes and dislikes, but there is another Betta food that my bettas like -it's called "Ocean Nutrition" and you'll know it because it comes in a small Betta Fish shaped bottle! It's a smaller pellet than the Betta Bites. Something in addition to pellets will be good for them, too. You could buy some frozen Betta foods at the aquarium or pet store, too and give them a little taste of that for a treat - something different to add with their regular pellets to help keep them from being constipated.

Hi Mary. My Bettas are doing GREAT! Got them a larger bowl (1 gallon) and I think they really like their new homes. I also got some water conditioner that contains aloe vera & green tea so I hope that makes their water better. In addition, I got some freeze dried blood worms and they LOVE those! I enjoy watching them eat them, too, so we are both happy.

You know, there were 3 people who told me about the feeding, but I was leery all the time about such a small amount of food. I'm going to Petco Friday and I'll look for the fish shaped bottle of food (I've written down the name) and I'll also try to find some frozen food to add to their diet.

Many thanks for asking about my babies and for your good advice!

Hi! I think you might have to order the fish-shaped bottle of food (Ocean Nutrition) online now since Petco used to have it - they might still have it in your area. Don't know, but if they don't have it - I have it listed on Amazon.com under home and garden in one of the articles about Betta fish here on the fish site at BellaOnline.com

The Petco store near here does not carry it so thanks for letting me know it can be purchased on Amazon.com.

HI,

Wanted to add that they can live longer than 3 years and that you need to change the water completely every two days if you have them in a tank that's only 1/2 gallon.