New Betta won't eat?

[Charles Gillen]

Following kind suggestions seen here, two days ago I put a solitary male
Betta in a 2-gallon Eclipse Explorer tank (has a bio-wheel) and have been
tempting him to eat with no observed success thus far.

First I tried crushed Wardley shrimp pellets which sank to the bottom, but
had to vacuum them out uneaten the next day. Today I tried floating some
Tetrafin goldfish flakes, but he ignored them both at the surface and later
when they sank and were circulated by the filter's waterfall stream.

So I haven't really seen him eat anything yet. Might try some tubifex
softened in water next.

In which part of the tank do Bettas normally like to feed? Bottom, top,
mid?

Background: Tank is probably in mid-cycle: ammonia zero, nitrites in mid-
range. 50 % water changes daily until nitrites come down. Gravel with two
frill plants. Myself: no experience with Bettas but have researched them
on the Net.

--
Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA

[Surgicalrn]

in article , Charles Gillen at
wrote on 10/29/03 1:27 PM:

> In which part of the tank do Bettas normally like to feed? Bottom, top,
> mid?
If you look at a fish's mouth and which way it faces you can usually tell
where they like to eat. A mouth which opens upwards usually appears on a
fish which eats from the top (Bettas, Hatchetfish, etc.), a mouth situated
at the front of the head usually means either mid or wherever they can find
food kinda guys (Oscars, Angelfish, etc.) and if their mouth points down
they are a bottom feeder (Corys, Loaches, etc.). Hope this helps.

[blove]

your offereing the wrong foods. you need hikari betta bio gold pellets made
for bettas, bettas also like freeze dried blood worms, live brineshrimp,
live bloodworms, and tetra bettamin. Bettas are picky but you should have
food that has been made for bettas so they are getting all of the nutrients
they need. a variety is best but if you cant find most of the stuff then
try to get the Hikari Betta Bio-Gold Pellets.


"Charles Gillen" > wrote in message
...
> Following kind suggestions seen here, two days ago I put a solitary male
> Betta in a 2-gallon Eclipse Explorer tank (has a bio-wheel) and have been
> tempting him to eat with no observed success thus far.
>
> First I tried crushed Wardley shrimp pellets which sank to the bottom, but
> had to vacuum them out uneaten the next day. Today I tried floating some
> Tetrafin goldfish flakes, but he ignored them both at the surface and
later
> when they sank and were circulated by the filter's waterfall stream.
>
> So I haven't really seen him eat anything yet. Might try some tubifex
> softened in water next.
>
> In which part of the tank do Bettas normally like to feed? Bottom, top,
> mid?
>
> Background: Tank is probably in mid-cycle: ammonia zero, nitrites in mid-
> range. 50 % water changes daily until nitrites come down. Gravel with two
> frill plants. Myself: no experience with Bettas but have researched them
> on the Net.
>
> --
> Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
> Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: New Betta won't eat?
>From: Charles Gillen
>Date: 10/29/2003 2:27 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>Following kind suggestions seen here, two days ago I put a solitary male
>Betta in a 2-gallon Eclipse Explorer tank (has a bio-wheel) and have been
>tempting him to eat with no observed success thus far.
>
>First I tried crushed Wardley shrimp pellets which sank to the bottom, but
>had to vacuum them out uneaten the next day. Today I tried floating some
>Tetrafin goldfish flakes, but he ignored them both at the surface and later
>when they sank and were circulated by the filter's waterfall stream.
>
>So I haven't really seen him eat anything yet. Might try some tubifex
>softened in water next.
>
>In which part of the tank do Bettas normally like to feed? Bottom, top,
>mid?
>
>Background: Tank is probably in mid-cycle: ammonia zero, nitrites in mid-
>range. 50 % water changes daily until nitrites come down. Gravel with two
>frill plants. Myself: no experience with Bettas but have researched them
>on the Net.
>

Forget abput the shrimp pellets. They just get your tank messy and most bettas
I've had wouldn't touch one with a fin.
As for feeding tropical fish-Goldfish food...don't. It doesn't have the same
things that a Betta requires in his diet.
It's for Goldfish only. = )
Tubifex...should be ok. However, again it's freeze dried and a Betta may not
like it and it'll just get wasted, or too much freeze dried foods can cause a
fish constipation.
Their bellies get huge and they look so uncomfortable. Then you'd need to feed
him a laxative food...such as a cooked Pea that has been squeezed out of it's
shell.
Personally, I'd start out with frozen Bloodworms. Call around and ask if they
have carry the Hikari brand frozen Bloodworms, as they are much less messy than
the popular San Francisco bay brand (Sally's). The actual worms even look
better. So much better that if my store is out of the Hikari and only has the
Sally's left...I walk, and the fish wait.
The other food Ifeed is either a quality flake food, or Hikari's betta Bio
Gold.
New Bettas often go on a hunger strike as they get used to their new
surroundings.
It's not uncommon for them to go a week without eating.
Some may need time to adjust to what you decide on feeding.
Sometimes they just don't like the food...other times they may not recognize it
*as* food.
Give your boy some time and more important..some of your time.
They quickly become tame to you and are aware of their surroundings.
What's his name?

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: New Betta won't eat?
>From: Surgicalrn
>Date: 10/29/2003 3:27 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
>in article , Charles Gillen at
wrote on 10/29/03 1:27 PM:
>
>> In which part of the tank do Bettas normally like to feed? Bottom, top,
>> mid?
>If you look at a fish's mouth and which way it faces you can usually tell
>where they like to eat. A mouth which opens upwards usually appears on a
>fish which eats from the top (Bettas, Hatchetfish, etc.), a mouth situated
>at the front of the head usually means either mid or wherever they can find
>food kinda guys (Oscars, Angelfish, etc.) and if their mouth points down
>they are a bottom feeder (Corys, Loaches, etc.). Hope this helps.

Yes, that's generally true (shape of the mouth). However, no body told that to
the Bettas...as they eat any where...top bottom..in the middle...doesn't
matter.

[Charles Gillen]

(TYNK 7) wrote:

> Yes, that's generally true (shape of the mouth). However, no body told
> that to the Bettas...as they eat any where...top bottom..in the
> middle...doesn't matter.

Update, with thanks to TYNK 7:

I moved the betta from the 2-gal Eclipse Explorer on the premise that he
might not like the water current from the bio-wheel waterfall. Put him in
a roughly spherical vase 5" wide (holds something more than 1/2 quart)
which should be more familiar to the LFS plastic teacup he last knew. He
still has much more room to maneuver than in a teacup. Since I heard
bettas can jump, I added a lid of plastic mesh from the craft store...
normally used for some kind of needlework, I think.

In his new home, he immediately relished a few Hikari betta bio-gold
pellets. I begin to see getting only a few pellets out at a time will
require considerable manual dexterity, as will putting the surplus back in
the little hole.

I also noticed the betta's new round bowl also produces a magnifying
effect... a bonus at no extra cost. Will do 1/2 water changes daily.

Thanks to all for advising this novice betta owner :^)

--
Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA

[yk]

TYNK 7 wrote:
>>Subject: New Betta won't eat?
>>From: Charles Gillen
>>Date: 10/29/2003 2:27 PM Central Standard Time
>>Message-id: >
>>
>>Following kind suggestions seen here, two days ago I put a solitary male
>>Betta in a 2-gallon Eclipse Explorer tank (has a bio-wheel) and have been
>>tempting him to eat with no observed success thus far.
>>
>>First I tried crushed Wardley shrimp pellets which sank to the bottom, but
>>had to vacuum them out uneaten the next day. Today I tried floating some
>>Tetrafin goldfish flakes, but he ignored them both at the surface and later
>>when they sank and were circulated by the filter's waterfall stream.
>>
>>So I haven't really seen him eat anything yet. Might try some tubifex
>>softened in water next.
>>
>>In which part of the tank do Bettas normally like to feed? Bottom, top,
>>mid?
>>
>>Background: Tank is probably in mid-cycle: ammonia zero, nitrites in mid-
>>range. 50 % water changes daily until nitrites come down. Gravel with two
>>frill plants. Myself: no experience with Bettas but have researched them
>>on the Net.
>>
>
>
> Forget abput the shrimp pellets. They just get your tank messy and most bettas
> I've had wouldn't touch one with a fin.
> As for feeding tropical fish-Goldfish food...don't. It doesn't have the same
> things that a Betta requires in his diet.
> It's for Goldfish only. = )
> Tubifex...should be ok. However, again it's freeze dried and a Betta may not
> like it and it'll just get wasted, or too much freeze dried foods can cause a
> fish constipation.
> Their bellies get huge and they look so uncomfortable. Then you'd need to feed
> him a laxative food...such as a cooked Pea that has been squeezed out of it's
> shell.
> Personally, I'd start out with frozen Bloodworms. Call around and ask if they
> have carry the Hikari brand frozen Bloodworms, as they are much less messy than
> the popular San Francisco bay brand (Sally's). The actual worms even look
> better. So much better that if my store is out of the Hikari and only has the
> Sally's left...I walk, and the fish wait.
> The other food Ifeed is either a quality flake food, or Hikari's betta Bio
> Gold.
> New Bettas often go on a hunger strike as they get used to their new
> surroundings.
> It's not uncommon for them to go a week without eating.
> Some may need time to adjust to what you decide on feeding.
> Sometimes they just don't like the food...other times they may not recognize it
> *as* food.
> Give your boy some time and more important..some of your time.
> They quickly become tame to you and are aware of their surroundings.
> What's his name?
>

My betta will eat anything. He lurks around the bottom of the tank
looking for the algae wafers I feed to my otos. Once he finds them he
stands guard and eats them till they're all gone. I've tried putting in
smaller amounts in varying locations, but he's too smart. The first time
I caught him it was rather disgusting and alarming to see. I found him
with his stomach grown almost to the size of a marble, doggedly forcing
down bite after bite with a sluggish glazed look, needing to take pauses
to somehow find room to cram more food into his stomach. I tried to net
out the algae tablets only to find that they were half dissolved and
broke up in the water. I was sort of panicked when I saw him, but
managed to pull myself together enough to vacuum the rest out. I was
glad to see he survived, although I was quite mad at him.

I now catch the otos in a breeders net and feed them wafers now and then
- there's really not much algae in the tank. And I can't trust my betta
with the algae tablets. They freaked out the first time and I
practically pulled out all the plants in my tank to get to them. I
needed room to manuver. Now they see it and mosey on in with little
encouragement. I float some plants over the top to keep the light out,
as it's a little harsh near the top of the tank, and they seem more
comfortable when shaded. The only problem is that everyone outside nips
at the bottom of the net trying to get through to the wafers, even
though as far as I can tell, they can't. It's sort of like watching
divers in a shark cage.

It's sort of a drastic measure, but I saw they were starting to get a
little thin without the algae wafers. At some point hopefully I'll get
some algae growing for them. Although, surprisingly, they seem to have
taken it all in stride now.

At any rate when I first got my betta I worried that he wasn't eating.
Silly me.

I mostly feed him HBH Betta Bites (when he's not stealing someone else's
food), they really seem to bring out his color, which seems to change as
he gets bigger.

--

direct replies: yelohk AT yahoo

[luminos]

You have a strange betta. I have many bettas in their own Eclipse 2 gals
and they aren't bothered by the current and eat tetra flakes and wardley
flakes (awful stuff) like its filet mignon.

"Charles Gillen" > wrote in message
...
> (TYNK 7) wrote:
>
> > Yes, that's generally true (shape of the mouth). However, no body told
> > that to the Bettas...as they eat any where...top bottom..in the
> > middle...doesn't matter.
>
> Update, with thanks to TYNK 7:
>
> I moved the betta from the 2-gal Eclipse Explorer on the premise that he
> might not like the water current from the bio-wheel waterfall. Put him in
> a roughly spherical vase 5" wide (holds something more than 1/2 quart)
> which should be more familiar to the LFS plastic teacup he last knew. He
> still has much more room to maneuver than in a teacup. Since I heard
> bettas can jump, I added a lid of plastic mesh from the craft store...
> normally used for some kind of needlework, I think.
>
> In his new home, he immediately relished a few Hikari betta bio-gold
> pellets. I begin to see getting only a few pellets out at a time will
> require considerable manual dexterity, as will putting the surplus back in
> the little hole.
>
> I also noticed the betta's new round bowl also produces a magnifying
> effect... a bonus at no extra cost. Will do 1/2 water changes daily.
>
> Thanks to all for advising this novice betta owner :^)
>
> --
> Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
> Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: New Betta won't eat?
>From: Charles Gillen
>Date: 10/30/2003 4:23 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
(TYNK 7) wrote:
>
>> Yes, that's generally true (shape of the mouth). However, no body told
>> that to the Bettas...as they eat any where...top bottom..in the
>> middle...doesn't matter.
>
>Update, with thanks to TYNK 7:
>
>I moved the betta from the 2-gal Eclipse Explorer on the premise that he
>might not like the water current from the bio-wheel waterfall. Put him in
>a roughly spherical vase 5" wide (holds something more than 1/2 quart)
>which should be more familiar to the LFS plastic teacup he last knew. He
>still has much more room to maneuver than in a teacup. Since I heard
>bettas can jump, I added a lid of plastic mesh from the craft store...
>normally used for some kind of needlework, I think.
>
>In his new home, he immediately relished a few Hikari betta bio-gold
>pellets. I begin to see getting only a few pellets out at a time will
>require considerable manual dexterity, as will putting the surplus back in
>the little hole.
>
>I also noticed the betta's new round bowl also produces a magnifying
>effect... a bonus at no extra cost. Will do 1/2 water changes daily.
>
>Thanks to all for advising this novice betta owner :^)
>
>--
>Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
>Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA
>

Oh bummer!
Put him back in the 2g tank.
A little more than a quart of water....= (
How very sad.

[Lady Samsara]

yk > wrote in message >...
> TYNK 7 wrote:
> >>Subject: New Betta won't eat?
> >>From: Charles Gillen
> >>Date: 10/29/2003 2:27 PM Central Standard Time
> >>Message-id: >
> >>
> >>Following kind suggestions seen here, two days ago I put a solitary male
> >>Betta in a 2-gallon Eclipse Explorer tank (has a bio-wheel) and have been
> >>tempting him to eat with no observed success thus far.
> >>
> >>First I tried crushed Wardley shrimp pellets which sank to the bottom, but
> >>had to vacuum them out uneaten the next day. Today I tried floating some
> >>Tetrafin goldfish flakes, but he ignored them both at the surface and later
> >>when they sank and were circulated by the filter's waterfall stream.
> >>
> >>So I haven't really seen him eat anything yet. Might try some tubifex
> >>softened in water next.
> >>
> >>In which part of the tank do Bettas normally like to feed? Bottom, top,
> >>mid?
> >>
> >>Background: Tank is probably in mid-cycle: ammonia zero, nitrites in mid-
> >>range. 50 % water changes daily until nitrites come down. Gravel with two
> >>frill plants. Myself: no experience with Bettas but have researched them
> >>on the Net.
> >>
> >
> >
> > Forget abput the shrimp pellets. They just get your tank messy and most bettas
> > I've had wouldn't touch one with a fin.
> > As for feeding tropical fish-Goldfish food...don't. It doesn't have the same
> > things that a Betta requires in his diet.
> > It's for Goldfish only. = )
> > Tubifex...should be ok. However, again it's freeze dried and a Betta may not
> > like it and it'll just get wasted, or too much freeze dried foods can cause a
> > fish constipation.
> > Their bellies get huge and they look so uncomfortable. Then you'd need to feed
> > him a laxative food...such as a cooked Pea that has been squeezed out of it's
> > shell.
> > Personally, I'd start out with frozen Bloodworms. Call around and ask if they
> > have carry the Hikari brand frozen Bloodworms, as they are much less messy than
> > the popular San Francisco bay brand (Sally's). The actual worms even look
> > better. So much better that if my store is out of the Hikari and only has the
> > Sally's left...I walk, and the fish wait.
> > The other food Ifeed is either a quality flake food, or Hikari's betta Bio
> > Gold.
> > New Bettas often go on a hunger strike as they get used to their new
> > surroundings.
> > It's not uncommon for them to go a week without eating.
> > Some may need time to adjust to what you decide on feeding.
> > Sometimes they just don't like the food...other times they may not recognize it
> > *as* food.
> > Give your boy some time and more important..some of your time.
> > They quickly become tame to you and are aware of their surroundings.
> > What's his name?
> >
>
> My betta will eat anything. He lurks around the bottom of the tank
> looking for the algae wafers I feed to my otos. Once he finds them he
> stands guard and eats them till they're all gone. I've tried putting in
> smaller amounts in varying locations, but he's too smart. The first time
> I caught him it was rather disgusting and alarming to see. I found him
> with his stomach grown almost to the size of a marble, doggedly forcing
> down bite after bite with a sluggish glazed look, needing to take pauses
> to somehow find room to cram more food into his stomach. I tried to net
> out the algae tablets only to find that they were half dissolved and
> broke up in the water. I was sort of panicked when I saw him, but
> managed to pull myself together enough to vacuum the rest out. I was
> glad to see he survived, although I was quite mad at him.
>
> I now catch the otos in a breeders net and feed them wafers now and then
> - there's really not much algae in the tank. And I can't trust my betta
> with the algae tablets. They freaked out the first time and I
> practically pulled out all the plants in my tank to get to them. I
> needed room to manuver. Now they see it and mosey on in with little
> encouragement. I float some plants over the top to keep the light out,
> as it's a little harsh near the top of the tank, and they seem more
> comfortable when shaded. The only problem is that everyone outside nips
> at the bottom of the net trying to get through to the wafers, even
> though as far as I can tell, they can't. It's sort of like watching
> divers in a shark cage.
>
> It's sort of a drastic measure, but I saw they were starting to get a
> little thin without the algae wafers. At some point hopefully I'll get
> some algae growing for them. Although, surprisingly, they seem to have
> taken it all in stride now.
>
> At any rate when I first got my betta I worried that he wasn't eating.
> Silly me.
>
> I mostly feed him HBH Betta Bites (when he's not stealing someone else's
> food), they really seem to bring out his color, which seems to change as
> he gets bigger.


A quick contribution on the subject of those pesky Bio-Gold packages.
I cut them open and transfer them to a new, very small Rubbermaid
plastic container. They look like they are made for baby food and
come 2 to a pack. It keeps them handy, fresh and it's really easy to
grab just the right amount that you want.

Enjoy your Betta...they are magnificent creatures! :)

[Charles Gillen]

(Lady Samsara) wrote:

> A quick contribution on the subject of those pesky Bio-Gold packages.
> I cut them open and transfer them to a new, very small Rubbermaid
> plastic container. They look like they are made for baby food and
> come 2 to a pack. It keeps them handy, fresh and it's really easy to
> grab just the right amount that you want.

How on earth do you manage to take out just THREE, for example?


--
Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA

[Charles Gillen]

(TYNK 7) wrote:

> Oh bummer!
> Put him back in the 2g tank.
> A little more than a quart of water....= (
> How very sad.

Relax, he's back in the 2g (all alone) and still likes Hikari betta bio-
gold, so I guess we're on the right track :^)

--
Anti-Spam address: my last name at his dot com
Charles Gillen -- Reston, Virginia, USA

[TYNK 7]

(Snipped)
>Subject: Re: New Betta won't eat?
>From: (Lady Samsara)
>Date: 10/31/2003 12:55 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>

>A quick contribution on the subject of those pesky Bio-Gold packages.
>I cut them open and transfer them to a new, very small Rubbermaid
>plastic container. They look like they are made for baby food and
>come 2 to a pack. It keeps them handy, fresh and it's really easy to
>grab just the right amount that you want.

:::Slaps self on forehead:::
Why haven't I thought of that before?
I hate those packages.

[TYNK 7]

>Subject: Re: New Betta won't eat?
>From: Charles Gillen
>Date: 10/31/2003 10:42 PM Central Standard Time
>Message-id: >
>
(TYNK 7) wrote:
>
>> Oh bummer!
>> Put him back in the 2g tank.
>> A little more than a quart of water....= (
>> How very sad.
>
>Relax, he's back in the 2g (all alone) and still likes Hikari betta bio-
>gold, so I guess we're on the right track :^)

= ) I feel much better for that little guy now, and I know he's happier. = )
The smallest tanks I have our 1g's for males.
Only when I'm growing young males will I put them in smaller containers...but
not much smaller.
Other than that, there's no reason for keeping them in something small.
Pat yourself on the back.

[RedForeman ©®]

she complained about not being able to get the extra food back in the
package...

"High Flight" > wrote in message
...
> Lady Samsara > says...
> > A quick contribution on the subject of those pesky Bio-Gold packages.
> > I cut them open and transfer them to a new, very small Rubbermaid
> > plastic container.
>
> Pesky? What are you talking about?!
>
> Jack
>
> --
> aka Keet Visit my web page at http://junior.apk.net/~jac/