To figure out which might be the cause, observe your fish closely. If your betta fish is not eating, it might be due to stress or illness. An aquarium test kit can help you monitor the chemical levels in the aquarium and keep everything balanced. Most Betta tank filters will remove waste while also providing a place for beneficial bacteria, which helps to eat up chemicals and grow. You can also scoop out any waste at the bottom of the tank and perform partial water changes every week. Overfeeding leads to a quick accumulation of waste. To keep the water pristine, avoid overfeeding. Over time, the chemicals can cause serious health problems, and one of the first symptoms is a lack of appetite. Bettas are often housed in smaller aquariums, and this means that the tank and water can become dirty very quickly.ĭirty water or waste at the bottom of the tank can cause chemicals within the water, such as ammonia, to spike. One of the most common answers to “Why is my betta fish not eating?” is poor water quality. As the water in the tank warms up, the betta should go back to eating normally. You will be able to set your heater to a specific temperature and keep that temperature steady. To avoid any sudden water temperature changes, you should have a heater on your betta fish tank. Cold water can also cause stress, which can lead to a loss of appetite. Fish that aren’t digesting food properly may stop eating because they’re uncomfortable. In that case, it can cause a range of problems, including slowing the fish’s digestive process. Suppose a betta fish’s water temperature drops below this. They prefer warm water somewhere between 74 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. How old is that tub of food anyhow? Maybe it’s time to buy a fresh unopened pack for him!īettas are tropical fish. So in the first instance, try switching up his food. Intersperse these feedings with the pellet food and, often, many bettas will be happier with a varied diet and will come to see the pellet food as just as tasty. You can offer betta treats such as live brine shrimp or freeze-dried bloodworms. To entice a betta that refuses to eat, try adding some variety to its diet. It was probably being fed live, freeze-dried, or frozen foods that looked, to it, more like real food. This is also a common answer to why a new betta fish is not eating. However, to some fish, they may not seem like food at all, or they may taste bland compared to what they’re used to. Check out our guide to the best betta fish food.īetta pellets are packed with nutrients and are easy to offer to a fish. If a betta fish is not eating pellets, it could simply be because the food being offered isn’t interesting enough. Young captive-bred fish are also often fed live foods. In the wild, carnivorous fish, such as bettas, eat live prey that wiggles around and looks appetizing.

Betta fish not eating