My betta fish refuse to eat the pellets?

Question

I feed my new betta about 2-4 pellets each time twice a day. But I notice that when it takes the pellets in then spit the pellet out a few seconds later. Does that mean it refuse to eat the pellets? or is it suppose to do that??

Answer 1

You might be over feeding it.  I only fed mine about 3 pellets each day.

If not, then smack that *****!

Answer 2

Well you shouldnt feed it twice a day. Thats to much. Bettas stomachs are about the size of their eyeball. You should feed him about 2-3 Once a day. Or every other day. With blood worms, about 3 worms a day.Since he is refusing pellets, you should get freeze dried blood worms, i rescued a betta from the pet store and he wouldnt eat pellets, then i gave him blood worms and he slurps them right up.

Answer 3

My fish was the same way. I just got him some blood worms at the pet store and he was fine, i fed him 2 to 3 times a day

Answer 4

Your betta (pronounced bet-tah, not bay-tah) may have been raised on flakes and doesn't really know what the pellets are.  You could try soaking the pellets in a cup of tank water before you drop them into his tank.

I do not feed pellets to my bettas, only flakes.  I think that pellets are the cause of many betta deaths.  The pellets are so hard that I believe they can get into the intestinal tract before they soften enough to be digested.  Therefore they create a blockage and do not pass, killing the fish.

Bettas are carnivores in the wild, eating only larvae and small crustaceans that are easily digested.  Bettas need high protein in their diet.  I feed BettaMin by Tetra (comes in a small yellow plastic can) and frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp sparingly as treats.

Once a day is enough for any fish to be fed, any more and you risk fouling the water.  30-40% water changes twice a week if you don't have a filter, once a week if you do.