Betta on a hunger strike?

[FishNewbie]

I added a male betta to my 10 gallon tank about a week ago and I have
yet to see him eat. I know that bettas usually don't eat much, but I
am a little worried.
The pre-existing residents of the tank are 4 zebra danios and 2 yo yo
loaches. Everyone seems to be getting along, although I notice that
the betta, who is the largest fish in the tank, also swims the
slowest. Could it be that he isn't making it to the food in time?

By the way, I feed them oncea day and I have been feeding tropical
flake food and occasionally some freeze-dried bloodworms. Please
help!

THANKS!

[Flash Wilson]

On 26 Apr 2004 07:53:36 -0700, FishNewbie > wrote:
>I added a male betta to my 10 gallon tank about a week ago and I have
>yet to see him eat. I know that bettas usually don't eat much, but I
>am a little worried.

They can be fussy eaters. I had one which would only eat tetra
prima. The one I have now will only eat catfish pellets. I found
this out as he got terribly thin after a week of not eating and
I was literally trying him on everything.

He sometimes eats Tetra Delica too.

Try him on whatever you've got, and then try some other stuff!

--
Flash Wilson
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"The geek shall inherit the girth."

[PurityFailed]

Hello there. :)

You might watch for signs of stress in your betta for a bit. My danios drove
mine to distraction in a 39 gal tank, and ultimately stress-induced body rot.
:( I imagine it's quite possible to keep nutso fish with bettas, but I just
wanted to throw that precaution out there. Perhaps a seasoned betta-er (hehe)
can help more, but I have some thoughts.

I'm on my second betta now, who's housed in isolated splendor this time and it
took him a few days to realize he had to chase his food to eat. The outflow of
the sponge filter blowing it around the top and such.

>Could it be that he isn't making it to the food in time?

Does he even try to go for the food? If he's trying and not making it, then
there's your answer. If he's not even going for it, depending on who hangs out
where in the tank, you might try feeding your tank on one side (filters slowed
if possible) while at the same time dropping some tasties where your betta is.
I've noticed my danios stay on the surface most of the time and don't chase
food in any other place.

If your betta's hanging out on the bottom, you might try skewering a bit of
bloodworm with a straw and target feeding him.

I've read also that some bettas aren't big eaters. Then again I've heard the
opposite. My limited experience makes me think that it takes some time, and
some tasties, to whet their appetite for 'hunting'. My guy's a pig now. I
feed him Tetra BettaMin and frozen blodworms and he adores both. He munches on
daphnia from time to time, which oddly enough was the food that started him
chasing at first. You also might try feeding him at the same spot in your
tank, farthest from the outflow of your filter, so he learns to be at the right
spot when you open the lid and has some time to catch his food.

Bettas are slow, and sometimes I guess you just have to accomidate them. Not
streamlined like your danios or many other fish. Another thing that I've
considered is that a guy used to only having to move maybe an inch or so in his
container to eat, without surface disturbance, has to learn to move about and
compete in a larger tank for food.

I hope that helped you. :)

Jessica


-Yet another baffled victim of a fish that decided to go MIA.

[RedForeman ©®]

> I added a male betta to my 10 gallon tank about a week ago and I have
> yet to see him eat. I know that bettas usually don't eat much, but I
> am a little worried.
> The pre-existing residents of the tank are 4 zebra danios and 2 yo yo
> loaches. Everyone seems to be getting along, although I notice that
> the betta, who is the largest fish in the tank, also swims the
> slowest. Could it be that he isn't making it to the food in time?
>
> By the way, I feed them oncea day and I have been feeding tropical
> flake food and occasionally some freeze-dried bloodworms. Please
> help!
>
> THANKS!

Betta, by itself is a happy betta... Betta with crackfish danios, not such a
happy betta... Wise one would remove crack fish, and let calm cool betta to
reside without hostility....

in other words, get the danios outta there..... the yo-yos will probably be
ok... they're bottom dwellers.... but the danios are freakin' the betta
out.... seriously... get the danios out....

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

[FishNewbie]

Weeeelll, I was a little panicked because I am going to leave town for
a while and wanted to see the betta eat *something* before I left.
(The pet sitter has feeding instructions but I doubt she will pay too
much attention to who is eating what).

So I cheated and scooped Mr. Betta out with a 2-cup pyrex measuring
cup and did a little feeding trial. Apparently he doesn't like
TetraMin tropical flake food at all (won't even approach it). But he
will eat freeze-dried bloodworms, although sometimes it looks like he
is spitting some of them out.

Should I keep segregating him for feeding time? If not, is there a
food that I can feed him the my whacked out danios won't touch? I
think the issue really is that he likes a leisurely meal whereas the
danios (and the loaches) gobble all the food up like little piggies.

PS: Redforeman, I would take the danios out but I have no place to put
them. If anything, I might have to rehome the betta to a smaller
tank, but I really really want to try to keep everyone together!


"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message >...
> > I added a male betta to my 10 gallon tank about a week ago and I have
> > yet to see him eat. I know that bettas usually don't eat much, but I
> > am a little worried.
> > The pre-existing residents of the tank are 4 zebra danios and 2 yo yo
> > loaches. Everyone seems to be getting along, although I notice that
> > the betta, who is the largest fish in the tank, also swims the
> > slowest. Could it be that he isn't making it to the food in time?
> >
> > By the way, I feed them oncea day and I have been feeding tropical
> > flake food and occasionally some freeze-dried bloodworms. Please
> > help!
> >
> > THANKS!
>
> Betta, by itself is a happy betta... Betta with crackfish danios, not such a
> happy betta... Wise one would remove crack fish, and let calm cool betta to
> reside without hostility....
>
> in other words, get the danios outta there..... the yo-yos will probably be
> ok... they're bottom dwellers.... but the danios are freakin' the betta
> out.... seriously... get the danios out....
>
> --
> RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
> streetfighter!!! ==========================
> 2003 TRX450ES
> 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> ==========================
> ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
>
>
> is that better??

[PurityFailed]

>If anything, I might have to rehome the betta to a smaller
>tank, but I really really want to try to keep everyone together!

I think your 'everyone' would agree that they'd rather not be put together. ;)
Good luck with it though. I hope your situation doesn't turn out like mine
since it seems you can't find a way to seperate them yet.

Best Wishes,
Jessica
-Yet another baffled victim of a fish that decided to go MIA.

[NetMax]

"PurityFailed" > wrote in message
...
> >If anything, I might have to rehome the betta to a smaller
> >tank, but I really really want to try to keep everyone together!
>
> I think your 'everyone' would agree that they'd rather not be put
together. ;)
> Good luck with it though. I hope your situation doesn't turn out like
mine
> since it seems you can't find a way to seperate them yet.
>
> Best Wishes,
> Jessica
> -Yet another baffled victim of a fish that decided to go MIA.

I find an occasional Betta that does fine in a tankful of danios, but
it's usually the exception than the rule. Some can't even handle the
danios outside of feeding time. As your Betta gains strength &
confidence, the situation might improve, (or as he gets hungry and
desperate, but that's usually a dead end). You can try bloodworms
dropped right over his head. While the danios are swimming with one in
their mouth, the Betta might get to swallow a few, but once the danios
are bigger, that won't work either. Although top-feeders, Bettas will
sometimes go scouring the bottom of a tank, so getting food to the bottom
might mean the Betta eats better. Just some ideas, though getting the
Betta into his own small tank might ultimately be the way to go.
--
http://www.netmax.tk/

[RedForeman ©®]

> So I cheated and scooped Mr. Betta out with a 2-cup pyrex measuring
> cup and did a little feeding trial. Apparently he doesn't like
> TetraMin tropical flake food at all (won't even approach it). But he
> will eat freeze-dried bloodworms, although sometimes it looks like he
> is spitting some of them out.

Yay!!!! That's the stuff they'll do tricks for... Frozen are better I think
for nutrition, but FD is just as good to start them out with....

> Should I keep segregating him for feeding time? If not, is there a
> food that I can feed him the my whacked out danios won't touch? I
> think the issue really is that he likes a leisurely meal whereas the
> danios (and the loaches) gobble all the food up like little piggies.

Bettas are somewhat calm fish, to an extent... the danios are actually
freaky fish and are probably making the betta restless, insecure.... if they
weren't there, he'd eat better... you could even maybe feed him real good on
Monday, leave for 5 days, feed him real well when you get back and resume
normal feedings from there.... I wouldn't warrant the 'strike' too long, but
occasionally it helps maintain health to clean out the system....

Betta bites, Bio Gold, frozen bloodworms thawed in a small glass, using tank
water, fed with a skewer, bite by bite.... that's how I feed my betta, he's
in a 5g with 2 african dwarf frogs... the frogs will actually sit a the top
of the water line, right beside Bob, and eat, 1 for you, 1 for you, 1 for
you... kinda funny, the betta is a crowntail, and the frogs thought, that
his crowns were bloodworms, he's red... and when the frogs took off for his
tail, he turned around, chased them for almost 1m until they hid in some
plants... he stood guard for the rest of the night... next morning he was
asleep in the clay pot... I think he'd chased them all night.... he's truly
the boss...

> PS: Redforeman, I would take the danios out but I have no place to put
> them. If anything, I might have to rehome the betta to a smaller
> tank, but I really really want to try to keep everyone together!

Honestly, I'd leave the danios in there, and get the betta his own 5g or
maybe a 2.5g type acrylic with a azoo palm filter, small light and a 5g
heater... he'll be in heaven....

We've all put fish together that shouldn't have been, but that's what the
learning is all about, screwing it up a bit, reading and researching, then
tweaking it so that THEY live better, cuz, when our wet pets are happy, so
are we....

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

[Dave]

"RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
...
> > So I cheated and scooped Mr. Betta out with a 2-cup pyrex measuring
> > cup and did a little feeding trial. Apparently he doesn't like
> > TetraMin tropical flake food at all (won't even approach it). But he
> > will eat freeze-dried bloodworms, although sometimes it looks like he
> > is spitting some of them out.
>
> Yay!!!! That's the stuff they'll do tricks for... Frozen are better I
think
> for nutrition, but FD is just as good to start them out with....
>
> > Should I keep segregating him for feeding time? If not, is there a
> > food that I can feed him the my whacked out danios won't touch? I
> > think the issue really is that he likes a leisurely meal whereas the
> > danios (and the loaches) gobble all the food up like little piggies.
>
> Bettas are somewhat calm fish, to an extent... the danios are actually
> freaky fish and are probably making the betta restless, insecure.... if
they
> weren't there, he'd eat better... you could even maybe feed him real good
on
> Monday, leave for 5 days, feed him real well when you get back and resume
> normal feedings from there.... I wouldn't warrant the 'strike' too long,
but
> occasionally it helps maintain health to clean out the system....
>
> Betta bites, Bio Gold, frozen bloodworms thawed in a small glass, using
tank
> water, fed with a skewer, bite by bite.... that's how I feed my betta,
he's
> in a 5g with 2 african dwarf frogs... the frogs will actually sit a the
top
> of the water line, right beside Bob, and eat, 1 for you, 1 for you, 1 for
> you... kinda funny, the betta is a crowntail, and the frogs thought, that
> his crowns were bloodworms, he's red... and when the frogs took off for
his
> tail, he turned around, chased them for almost 1m until they hid in some
> plants... he stood guard for the rest of the night... next morning he was
> asleep in the clay pot... I think he'd chased them all night.... he's
truly
> the boss...
>
> > PS: Redforeman, I would take the danios out but I have no place to put
> > them. If anything, I might have to rehome the betta to a smaller
> > tank, but I really really want to try to keep everyone together!
>
> Honestly, I'd leave the danios in there, and get the betta his own 5g or
> maybe a 2.5g type acrylic with a azoo palm filter, small light and a 5g
> heater... he'll be in heaven....
>
> We've all put fish together that shouldn't have been, but that's what the
> learning is all about, screwing it up a bit, reading and researching, then
> tweaking it so that THEY live better, cuz, when our wet pets are happy, so
> are we....
>
> --
> RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
> streetfighter!!! ==========================
> 2003 TRX450ES
> 1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
> '98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
> ==========================
> ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø
>
>
> is that better??
>
>

I must have a strange betta then, cos mine isn't fussy about what he eats.
He
searches the bottom of the tank inbetween my plants for food, to the extent
that
he looks trapped.....

I sometimes hand feed him, he floats at the top during feeding time, so
squirt
Tetra Fresh Delica - Daphnia or brine shrimp....

I don't have much experience with bettas but mine is happy with the 5 zebra
danios too.

Dave

55 gal Juwel

[RedForeman ©®]

> "RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message
> I must have a strange betta then, cos mine isn't fussy about what he
> eats. He searches the bottom of the tank inbetween my plants for food, to
the
> extent that he looks trapped.....

I've never seen mine look at the bottom for food, he's got me trained....
:-)

> I sometimes hand feed him, he floats at the top during feeding time,
> so squirt Tetra Fresh Delica - Daphnia or brine shrimp....

I hand feed mine almost exclusively... if I dont' he wont' eat... not
really...

> I don't have much experience with bettas but mine is happy with the 5
> zebra danios too.
> Dave
> 55 gal Juwel

Well of course it does in a 55g tank.... put 5 danios and a betta in a 5g,
it'll be a different story...

--
RedForeman ©® future fabricator and creator of a ratbike
streetfighter!!! ==========================
2003 TRX450ES
1992 TRX-350 XX (For Sale)
'98 Tacoma Ext Cab 4X4 Lifted....
==========================
ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø,¸¸¸,ø¤° `°¤ø,¸¸,ø¤°`°¤ø


is that better??

[IDzine01]

(FishNewbie) wrote in message >...
> Weeeelll, I was a little panicked because I am going to leave town for
> a while and wanted to see the betta eat *something* before I left.
> (The pet sitter has feeding instructions but I doubt she will pay too
> much attention to who is eating what).
>
> So I cheated and scooped Mr. Betta out with a 2-cup pyrex measuring
> cup and did a little feeding trial. Apparently he doesn't like
> TetraMin tropical flake food at all (won't even approach it). But he
> will eat freeze-dried bloodworms, although sometimes it looks like he
> is spitting some of them out.

It's vary common for bettas to refuse dry food like flakes, pellets
and freeze-dried foods. While they are well balanced meals they are
not designed for a betta's short digestive track and can cause
bloating, constipation and swim bladder disorders due to the low (10%)
moisture content. Consider slowly changing his diet to frozen (not
freezedried) or live foods like bloodworms, daphnia, tubifex,
brine-shrimp, beef-heart, black or white worms, grindal worms,
glass-worms, etc. I know this may not be possible in time for your
trip, but maybe after you get back would be a good time. He'll only
benefit from the food upgrade. Also, just a note, flake food is
fortified with vitamins but they dissipate after 1-2 months after
opening. It's good to buy small packages so they are getting proper
nutrition.

> Should I keep segregating him for feeding time? If not, is there a
> food that I can feed him the my whacked out danios won't touch? I
> think the issue really is that he likes a leisurely meal whereas the
> danios (and the loaches) gobble all the food up like little piggies.

Segregating will stress him into not eating. Bettas stop eating for a
variety of reasons, illness and stress being vary common ones.


> "RedForeman ©®" > wrote in message >...

> > Betta, by itself is a happy betta... Betta with crackfish danios, not such a
> > happy betta... Wise one would remove crack fish, and let calm cool betta to
> > reside without hostility....
> >
> > in other words, get the danios outta there..... the yo-yos will probably be
> > ok... they're bottom dwellers.... but the danios are freakin' the betta
> > out.... seriously... get the danios out....

I agree with you RED. I have had my betta in with danios for several
weeks now. Bettas eat like pigs and mine do fine because I hand feed
them with toothpicks so I don't have to worry about them not getting
enough food. (slow swimmers) However, I recently had to set up a new
tank to get the betta out of there. Those danios are fin nippers and
SHOULD NOT be kept with bettas. Too Dangerous!
I was warned and learned my lesson, now I can say from experience, DO
NOT keep zebra danios with Bettas.