My new betta won't eat.. I've never had this problem before. Please help?

Question

Hello! Yesterday I was walking down the fish isle of a local Super Wal-Mart and fell in love with a stunning pink, purple, white and red iridescent Betta. :) He was a nice find. He's very healthy as well... something I wish I could say about the other ten. :/

I bought him a 1.5 gallon bowl (I know, I know! It's all I could afford right now! But I plan on getting him a 2-3 gallon TANK within the next few weeks ;) ). I filled the bottom with colorful marble rocks and a fake plant. He LOVES swimming around in the plant and and darts around the bowl chasing his reflection. I even see him flare up occasionally. He's almost constantly swimming around and seems really happy with his new home (especially compared to the others I've had and put in the vases.. ugh, mean me!) but there's just one strange thing...

He won't eat anyting! I've read about new Bettas not eating anything, but I'm worried. He's very, very active and he ought to be very hungry!

(Cont....)

Answer 1

I got a new betta just the other day. Try feeding him in a few hours, and remove any un-eaten food. Every couple of hours, try feeding him and if he doesn't eat, remove the food. It can take up to 3 days or more for a betta to get used to his new environment, so don't worry about him not eating until it has gotten to the 3rd-4th day. If all else fails, and he does not eat, take him back to Walmart. My new betta didn't eat for the first day or so, don't worry, when he is hungry he will eat!

EDIT TO ADD:

I wouldn't trust the bettatalk.com website, as I have had many friends get ripped off from what they got there. The owner (Faith) is the type of person who believes her way is the best and no one else's way should matter in the world of bettas (you'll get what I mean if you visit the site) I used to recommend her, until I really got to know what type of business she's really in. I now recommend going to www.ultimatebettas.com , a forum that has answers almost any betta question.

Answer 2

Your Betta needs a 5g filtered and heated tank. Make sure his tank is cycled before hand. Feed him a high quality pellet such as hikari along with frozen or live foods such as bloodworm and brine shrimp. follow these guidelines and your Betta will live happily and healthy.

Answer 3

He's fine.  #1.  They don't like big bowls so leave him in what you have.  #2.  Just feed him 1 pellet at a time, if he doesn't eat it then don't give him anymore, he will be just fine.  It's when he gets sluggish that is when he's hungry -- just like people!

Answer 4

Try live or frozen brine shrimp and freeze-dried tubifex worms.

Also, you don't have to feed them every day.

Answer 5

try another kind of food or go back to the walmart and ask the staff

Answer 6

wal mart is your problem. They dont care for the fish sorry

Answer 7

I'm surprised you've never run into this before as it sounds like you've had other bettas.  It's pretty common for new bettas not to eat for a few days as they settle in to their new accomodations.  Especially if they come from pet stores where they've been kept in those little cups.  It sounds like he's busy stretching his fins in his new home, enjoying the extra little bit of space and just isn't interested in food right now.  I really wouldn't worry about it.  Bettas can easily go up to a week without eating before showing any ill effects.  If you really want to entice him to eat, try bloodworms.  I've never known any fish to pass up a bloodworm yet.  (My guppies have been known to swim around holding a bloodworm in their mouths when they were stuffed to the gills.  Not even chewing on it, just hanging onto it for later!)

Answer 8

He sounds like he is a happy little guy!  Most bettas do not eat on the first day.  My bettas never eat on the first day I get them.  They get so overwhelmed that they are away from an itty bitty cup!  I wouldn't worry about it until maybe the second or third day.  Bettas are carnivores and don't exactly like eating flakes and pellets.  Bettas absolutely love freeze dried blood worms, brine shrimp and more.. maybe you can buy some and feed them to him as a treat every now and then.  You can also feed him peas if you want to, it's the most excitement they get out of their day besides swimming =) He will love you forever if you do!  Sounds like he is very lucky to have you =D

For more information go to http://bettatalk.com

That site is probably the best, take a look at it =)

rockstar: as for information, I think it is a great site.  I have never ordered from there though.

good luck!