What Do Betta Fish Eat?

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Betta fish have diverse dietary needs that can be met through a combination of live feed, formulated feed, natural foods, and dietary supplements. Understanding these needs and optimizing feeding strategies can significantly enhance their growth, survival, and coloration, contributing to their overall health and appeal.

Betta fish (Betta splendens), also known as Siamese fighting fish, are popular ornamental fish known for their vibrant colors and unique behaviors. Understanding their dietary needs is crucial for their growth, health, and coloration. This article explores various types of food that betta fish consume, based on recent research findings.

Live Feed vs. Formulated Feed

Betta fish can thrive on both live feed (LF) and formulated feed (FF). A study evaluated the effects of replacing live feed with formulated feed on the growth and reproductive performance of Betta splendens. The results indicated that a diet consisting of 75% live feed and 25% formulated feed (T2) resulted in the highest body weight gain and specific growth rate, as well as the best feed conversion ratio. The highest survival rates were observed in groups with higher proportions of live feed1.

Protein and Energy Requirements

The nutritional requirements of betta fish, particularly the digestible protein (DP) to energy (DE) ratios, are essential for formulating balanced diets. A study found that diets containing 28.0% DP and 3,200 kcal/kg DE were optimal for the growth of Betta splendens fingerlings. Higher feed intake was observed in fish fed diets with 42.0% DP, but no significant differences in weight gain, feed conversion ratio, or specific growth rate were noted2.

Enhancing Coloration

Coloration is a significant aspect of betta fish appeal. Carotenoids, which betta fish cannot synthesize, must be obtained from their diet. Feeding betta fish with Artemia salina enriched with Tagetes erecta flower flour significantly improved their color intensity. The best results were achieved with a 1:1 ratio of rice flour to T. erecta flower flour, enhancing the brightness of the fish’s body parts3.

Natural Foods

Natural foods such as mosquito larvae and silk worms are commonly used to feed betta fish. A study comparing different combinations of these natural foods found that 100% silk worms resulted in the highest biomass growth, followed by 100% mosquito larvae. Mixed diets of silk worms and mosquito larvae showed lower growth rates4.

Trace and Heavy Metals

The content of trace and heavy metals in diets can affect the growth and survival of betta fish. A study found that live food (Tubifex) resulted in the highest average body weight and survival rates. Diets enriched with vitamin E showed the highest survival rates, while those with added eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) had varied effects on metal accumulation in fish tissues5.

Feeding Strategies

Different feeding strategies can influence the growth and survival of betta fish. A study comparing Tubifex sp., artificial food (pellets), and a combination of both found that mixed diets significantly improved growth in terms of absolute weight and length. However, survival rates were not significantly affected by the type of feed6.

Feeding Frequency and Timing

The frequency and timing of feeding also play a role in the performance of betta fish. Feeding twice a day, at 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., resulted in the best performance and economic viability. This feeding schedule did not affect survival rates but optimized growth7.

Probiotics

Probiotics can enhance the growth performance and survival rate of betta fish. Dietary administration of Bacillus subtilis at a concentration of 1 × 10^8 CFU.g^-1 significantly increased survival rates and improved growth indices. Probiotics can be a beneficial addition to betta fish diets8 10.

Pigment Sources

Sweet potatoes can be used as a dietary pigment source to enhance the coloration of betta fish. Different varieties of sweet potatoes, such as orange, yellow, and purple, were tested. The study found that orange sweet potato (OrSP) resulted in the highest carotenoid accumulation and improved color expression in betta fish9.