Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are freshwater fish that come from Asia. They are very popular with hobbyists who keep fish in their aquariums. They are popular among beginners and advanced hobbyists alike. They can be kept alone, which is different from many other aquarium fish. This means they can do well in small aquariums that don’t have room for other shoaling fish.
Betta fish are also carnivores, and their main food source is insects. You can feed them meat-based food instead of insects sometimes, but they shouldn’t be fed non-meat foods all the time.
Betta fish live in shallow, stagnant bodies of water. They are commonly found in rice paddies, small ponds, streams, and canals. They are voracious insect eaters that will eat larvae, insects, and just about any other small animal they can fit.
In captivity, controlling a betta’s diet is important. It’s not possible to give a pet betta an unlimited amount of food every day because bettas in the wild don’t eat every day. Although pet bettas can be fed on a regular basis, portion control is key.
Betta fish, also known as Siamese fighting fish, are a popular freshwater species kept by aquarists. Their beautiful fins and vibrant colors make them a stunning addition to any tank. But when it comes to feeding bettas, many owners wonder – what human foods can I feed my betta fish? Can bettas eat human food at all?
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about feeding betta fish human foods. We’ll go over the top human foods that are safe for bettas, foods to avoid, and how much to feed Let’s dive in!
An Overview of Betta Fish Dietary Needs
In the wild, bettas are insectivores that feed on insects and insect larvae. They need a high protein diet to thrive Some key things to know about a betta’s nutritional requirements
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Bettas are carnivores and need animal-based protein sources. Foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms are ideal.
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Fruits and vegetables offer little nutritional value. Bettas can’t properly digest plant matter.
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Feed live or frozen foods as treats. Offer 2-3 times per week along with high quality betta pellets.
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Feed only what they can consume in 2-3 minutes, 2 times per day. Overfeeding leads to health issues.
Now let’s look at some human foods that make healthy treats for bettas!
4 Best Human Foods For Betta Fish
Here are the top human foods that bettas can eat as part of a balanced diet:
1. Small Pieces of Cooked Shrimp
Shrimp meat is an excellent source of protein for bettas. To prepare:
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Cook fresh shrimp thoroughly until pink. Cool before feeding.
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Cut into tiny pieces no bigger than a betta’s eye. Small bites are safest.
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Feed sparingly, once or twice a week. It can dirty the tank water if uneaten.
2. Cooked Chicken
Lean chicken breast or white meat, cooked plain, offers great protein for bettas. Here’s how to feed it:
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Shred a small bit of cooked chicken into tiny shreds.
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Feed just a few shreds at a time, 1-2 times per week.
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Remove any leftover chicken after a few minutes to keep water clean.
3. Hard Boiled Egg Yolks
Hard boiled egg yolks are another protein-rich human food bettas love. Follow these tips when feeding:
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Boil eggs 5-7 minutes until hard cooked. Cool and separate yolks.
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Offer a few small pieces of egg yolk per betta. Remove uneaten bits promptly.
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Feed egg yolks only occasionally, like once a week, to prevent water fouling.
4. Unseasoned Beef
Plain beef, like ground beef or beef heart, can offer bettas a meaty boost. Here are some feeding guidelines:
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Cook beef fully until no longer pink inside. Allow to cool before feeding.
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Cut or shred beef into tiny pieces sized for your betta’s mouth.
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Feed sparingly, just 1-2 bits per fish, once or twice a week.
Foods You Should Never Feed Betta Fish
While the foods above make healthy treats, there are many common human foods that should be avoided for betta health. Here are some key foods bettas can NOT eat:
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Bread, pasta, rice, etc. – Bettas cannot digest carbs and grains.
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Fruits and vegetables – Bettas are not equipped to digest plant matter.
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Seasonings and sauces – Spices, salt, onion, garlic etc. are dangerous for bettas.
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Greasy/fried foods – High fat foods can cause digestive upset in bettas.
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Dairy – Milk, cheese, and other dairy items are unsuitable.
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Sugary foods – Candy, sugar, syrups can dirty the tank and harm betta health.
As a general rule, stick to plain, unseasoned, lean meat or seafood only when feeding human foods to bettas. Ask your veterinarian if you are unsure if a food is safe.
How Much Human Food Should You Feed Bettas?
When offering treats of human food, moderation is key. Follow these feeding guidelines:
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Feed just 2-4 small bites of human food per betta, 1-2 times per week max.
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Offer treats in place of one normal meal, not in addition to usual diet.
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Remove uneaten food after 2-3 minutes. Human foods can dirty the tank water if left too long.
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Look for signs of overfeeding like lethargy or bloating. Adjust amounts as needed.
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Stick to a normal high quality betta pellet as diet staple. Human foods are supplemental only. food treats should enhance a betta’s diet, not overwhelm it. Keep portions small and be cautious to maintain water quality.
Tips For Feeding Human Foods To Betta Fish
Follow these best practices when feeding human foods to bettas:
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Wash foods well before feeding to remove bacteria.
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Cook foods fully and allow to cool before offering to fish.
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Cut foods into tiny bites no bigger than betta’s eye to prevent choking.
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Offer human foods infrequently, 1-2 times per week at most.
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Introduce new treats gradually to avoid upsetting digestion.
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Remove leftovers promptly, within 2-3 minutes, to prevent water fouling.
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Perform partial water change after feeding to replenish freshness.
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Watch fish closely and adjust amounts if you notice bloating, lack of appetite, lethargy after eating.
With proper precautions, human food treats can give your betta enrichment. Observe fish closely and stop feeding if issues arise. Moderation is vital.
Frequently Asked Questions About Feeding Bettas Human Food
Here are answers to some common questions aquarists have about feeding bettas treats of human food:
Can I feed my betta fish fruits and vegetables?
No, bettas cannot properly digest plant matter like fruits and veggies. As carnivores, bettas need protein from meat and seafood.
How often can I feed human food to my betta?
Feed tiny portions just 1-2 times per week maximum. Stick to your betta’s normal pellet diet on other days.
Is it okay to feed bettas food like bread or pasta?
No. Carbs and grains offer no nutrition and can cause digestive issues in bettas. Stick to meat and seafood only.
Can I feed my betta spices or seasonings?
Seasonings are very dangerous for bettas and can cause organ damage or death. Only feed plain, unseasoned foods.
What happens if I overfeed my betta human foods?
Overfeeding can cause bloating, swim bladder disorders, and ammonia spikes. Offer just a few bites per feeding and remove uneaten food promptly.
The Takeaway on Feeding Bettas Human Food
In small amounts, human foods like shrimp, chicken, beef and egg yolks can provide fun variety to your betta’s diet. Stick to lean, unseasoned, cooked meat or seafoods only. Feed just a few bites 1-2 times weekly. Avoid overfeeding, remove uneaten food promptly, and monitor your fish closely. With species-appropriate foods and proper portions, human food treats can enrich your pet betta’s meals!
Can Betta Fish Be Fed Fish Flakes?
Bettas can be fed fish flakes. Some are specifically formulated for bettas. You should look for flakes that are high in protein if you can’t find these. Bettas need more protein in their food than most pet fish.
The 4 Human Foods You Can Feed Betta Fish
Most fish stores and aquarium stores will carry suitable food for bettas, including brine shrimp and larvae. Since bettas are carnivorous, you should avoid feeding them fruit or vegetables. You can, however, feed your bettas some foods that we normally think of as foods for people.
Please keep in mind that your betta won’t miss out if you decide not to give them these human foods. They can eat only food that was made or grown for them.
Shrimp can be fed to bettas. Do not cook the shrimp first. They should be fed raw and should be washed well. You should cut them up into smaller pieces so that your bettas can easily eat them.
When they are out in the wild, betta fish wouldn’t eat chicken, but you can feed your fighting fish chicken. Chicken and other meats can be fed occasionally as treats. They should not be seasoned.