Best Betta Fish Food

5 Best Betta Fish Food: The Ultimate Guide to a Healthy Diet

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Some betta fish will eat anything you put in their tank, but others are much pickier. So, the best betta fish food you can buy is whatever your betta likes best, provided the food you choose has all the nutrients your fish needs to thrive.

Quick Summary: Best Betta Fish Food

Fluval Bug Bites Betta Fish Food, Granules for Small to Medium Sized Fish, 1.06 oz. Fluval Bug Bites Betta Fish Food
  • All Life Stages
  • Fortified With Essential Vitamins, Amino Acids and Minerals for a Balanced Daily Diet
  • Salmon, Larvae
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Aqueon 3 Pack of Color Enhancing Betta Food Pellets, 0.95 Ounces Per Container Aqueon Betta Pellets Betta Food
  • Balanced Nutrition for Daily Feeding
  • Contains Shrimp and Other Ingredients That Bettas Love
  • Perfect Size to Prevent Overfeeding
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New Life Spectrum Betta 25g (Naturox Series) New Life Spectrum Betta Formula
  • Naturally Enhance Your Bettaโ€™s Color With No Added Hormones
  • High-Density Nutrition for Less Waste
  • Small Semi-floating Pellets, Made in the USA
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In this guide, we recommend our preferred choices of food for our beloved bettas and provide you with some important information on feeding your fishy friend.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about choosing the best food for your betta.

Key Takeaways

  • The best betta fish food caters to individual betta preferences while providing essential nutrients, with a balanced staple of betta pellets and a variety of supplements such as brine shrimp or bloodworms.
  • Overfeeding bettas can lead to health issues and tank pollution, so following feeding guidelines on the food packaging and observing your betta’s eating habits is important.
  • Bettas can be picky eaters, and if they reject food, a varied diet or vet visit may be necessary; bettas can also suffer from bloating, which can be managed by adjusting their diet.

Summary Table

Brand/ProductMain IngredientsProsCons
Fluval Bug Bites Betta Fish FoodInsect larvae, salmon, vitamins, and mineralsBalanced meal, good for frySinks quickly, can get powdery, small granules
Omega One Betta Buffet FlakesAlaskan seafood, including shrimp, salmon, and herringHigh protein, enhances colors, no cloudinessNone
San Francisco Bay Brand Betta FoodFreeze-dried bloodworms (midge fly larvae)Mimics natural diet, high in proteinLow in amino acids
Aqueon Betta Pellets Betta FoodNatural meat-based ingredients, shrimpComplete nutrition naturally enhances colorsUneaten food sinks quickly
New Life Spectrum Betta FormulaSquid, Antarctic krill, garlic, and ginger extractHigh protein, hormone-free, natural color enhancementSome bettas may not like it
NEWCOMDIGI Brine Shrimp Hatchery KitN/A (hatching kit for brine shrimp)Easy to use, provides natural nutritionSuction cups may fail

Best Betta Food

Letโ€™s get started and dive right in to discover our favorite high-quality best betta foods!

Fluval Bug Bites Betta Fish Food

Fluval Bug Bites Betta Fish Food, Granules for Small to Medium Sized Fish, 1.06 oz.
  • Betta fish food that contains up to 40%, nutrient-rich Black Soldier Fly Larvae, the first ingredient
  • High in multiple proteins like whole salmon โ€“ rich in Omega 3 and 6 for healthy skin, scales and fins
  • Fortified with essential vitamins, amino acids and minerals for a balanced daily diet

The best thing about Fluval Bug Bites Betta Fish Food is that it is made of insect larvae, which is what betta fish eat in the wild.

Black soldier fly larvae are combined with whole salmon and fortified with vitamins and minerals, so your betta gets a balanced meal and all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and happy and display its most vibrant colors.

Bettas are primarily surface feeders, and these micro granules are formulated to sink slowly, giving your fish time to grab them. On the downside, the granules sometimes get powdery during shipping or wind up being too small for bettas to pay attention to.

Betta breeders recommend this food for fry, so if you have a baby betta, this may be the food for you.

What we like:

  • Made of insect larvae
  • Nutritionally balanced
  • Fish seem to like it
  • Good for baby bettas (fry)

Room for improvement

  • Sinks too quickly
  • Micro granules can be too small for bettas to notice
  • Food can get powdery during shipping

Omega One Betta Buffet Flakes

Omega One Betta Buffet Flakes 0.28oz (3 Pack)
  • Natural pigments in salmon skins for vibrant colors
  • Rich in Omega 3 & 6 HUFA's
  • An abundance and variety of fresh seafood protein

These betta flakes are made in the U.S., using only sustainable Alaskan premium seafood, including shrimp, salmon, and herring. When you choose this food for your betta fish, you know youโ€™re offering him superior quality meat proteins containing all the nutrients he needs to thrive.

What we like:

  • U.S.-made using wild herring, shrimp, and salmon thatโ€™s packed with natural beta carotenes to make your bettaโ€™s colors really pop
  • Contains 43% protein
  • Doesnโ€™t dissolve in water, so there are no cloudy water problems
  • Flakes contain minimal starch, helping to reduce fish waste and tank pollution

Room for improvement:

  • None

San Francisco Bay Brand Betta Food All Natural Fish Food and Treat

San Francisco Bay Brand Betta Food All Natural Fish Food and Treat, 1 Gram Container
  • Freeze dried bloodworms, its that simple. Leave nature at its best. Also known as Red Mosquito Larve.
  • Your discus, eels, betas, loaches and other community freshwater fish will thrive on this primary food.
  • Choice for all Betta's and community tanks

In the wild environment, betta fish eat insect larvae, and these San Francisco Bay freeze-dried bloodworms fit the bill, being midge fly larvae. These critters form much of a wild betta fishโ€™s diet, so your fishy friend is sure to love this tasty treat.

What we like:

  • Replicates your bettaโ€™s wild diet
  • Easy to store
  • Excellent option for encouraging picky eaters
  • Excellent source of protein and iron

Room for improvement:

  • Low in amino acids, so suitable as a treat and not the whole diet

Aqueon Betta Pellets Betta Food

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Aqueon 3 Pack of Color Enhancing Betta Food Pellets, 0.95 Ounces Per Container
  • Balanced nutrition for daily feeding
  • Contains shrimp and other ingredients that bettas love
  • Perfect size to prevent overfeeding

Aqueon Betta Pellets are a complete balanced diet for your betta buddy, containing natural meat-based ingredients, including shrimp. The food contains no artificial colorants but enhances your beautiful bettaโ€™s colors naturally.

The mini pellets are easy for your betta to eat in one mouthful, helping to minimize waste and prevent water cloudiness.

What we like:

  • Complete, balanced nutrition
  • Made from natural meaty ingredients
  • Naturally enhances colors

Room for improvement:

  • Uneaten food sinks quite quickly, polluting the water

New Life Spectrum Betta Formula

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New Life Spectrum Betta 25g (Naturox Series)
  • Naturally enhance your betta's color with no added hormones.
  • High-quality easily digestible aquatic proteins include garlic for immune system health,
  • High-density nutrition for less waste and more feedings per jar.

New Life Spectrum Betta Formula is chock full of proteins derived from sustainable squid and Antarctic krill, providing your fishy friend with everything he needs to grow and thrive. In addition, the food contains no hormones or artificial additives, enhancing your bettaโ€™s colors naturally and providing everything it needs for optimal health and longer life.

This food provides all the minerals your fish needs to thrive. In addition, bentonite clay works as an effective binder, helping to prevent excessive fish waste. To protect your pet against parasites and boost his immune system, the food contains garlic and ginger extract.

What we like:

  • Made in the U.S.
  • High protein cogent from natural, sustainable sources
  • Hormone-free
  • Natural color enhancement
  • Contains added minerals

Room for improvement:

  • Some picky betta fish donโ€™t like this food

NEWCOMDIGI Brine Shrimp Hatchery Kit

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NEWCOMDIGI Brine Shrimp Hatchery Kit, Brine Shrimp Eggs Incubator, Brine Shrimp Eggs Hatchery Kit,...
  • โ˜… โ˜€โค Premium Material: Our baby brine shrimp hatchery kit is made of high quality acrylic which features nontoxic, harmless, sturdy, durable, not easy to crack or break and can be used for a long service life. It is safe for your baby fishes and shrimps.
  • โ˜… โ˜€โค Inside or Outside Tank Use: Our brine shrimp hatchery kit is a more good looking and effective aquarium feeding tool. The ability to use it inside the tank with suction cups and outside the tank with the included stand. Just make sure the temperature is suitable.
  • โ˜… โ˜€โค Easy to Use: Connect the air pump to the air inlet at the bottom of the incubator, inject the treated water to the standard water level in the incubator tank, and add about 10g sea salt to pre-dissolve, then add 3-5g brine shrimp eggs and adjust the appropriate air volume.

Live food is an excellent source of nutrition for your betta, and chasing after it also helps to provide your pet with mental and physical stimulation.

Brine shrimp are easy to raise at home, and this hatchery kit from NEWCOMDIGI contains everything you need to get started. You get a hatching unit, measuring spoon, plastic syringe, airline tube, and a cleaning brush. As a bonus, the kit is already set up and ready for use.

All you need to do is fix the hatchery to the side of your betta tank so the newly hatched nauplii are delivered right into the water for your waiting betta to gobble up.

What we like:

  • Simple to use
  • Contains everything you need to get started
  • Excellent value for money
  • Provides an excellent source of natural nutrition for your betta

Room for improvement:

  • Some users report the suction cups lose adhesion, allowing the hatchery to float off the tank wall

So, What Is the Best Betta Fish Food?

The best food to feed betta fish is a nutritionally balanced staple food (usually betta pellets) with supplements on the side (brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms).

All the foods weโ€™ve included in this guide are great choices for your betta buddy, providing him with the balanced nutrition and variety he needs to thrive and be happy and healthy.

Do Betta Prefer Flakes or Pellets?

Although some betta fish will eat flakes, theyย generally prefer pellets. Additionally, pellets are easier for you to use and can help ensure you donโ€™t overfeed your fish.

I prefer to use pellets for my betta fish. I find it much easier to measure out the correct portion size for my pet, and I find that pellets donโ€™t break down and dirty the tank water as quickly as flakes.

How Many Pellets Should I Feed My Betta?

For the best results, follow the feeding instructions that come with the specific food you purchase.

In general, you should feed your betta 2 to 4 pellets once or twice aย day. Never feed your betta more than he can eat in a couple of minutes, and keep in mind that your betta’s eye is the same size as his stomach.

Do not feed your betta pellets on a day you use supplements, or you could risk overfeeding and keep treats to a minimum.

Why Is My Betta Spitting Out His Pellets?

Your betta might not like his food, or the pellets might be too big for him to swallow comfortably. Try breaking the pellets in half or try a different kind of food. Some bettas are picky and will only eat certain brands.

If your betta refuses pellets, you can also try replacing a few of his meals with supplements or treats and see if he returns to the pellets after getting some variety in his diet.

What if Your Betta Fish Won’t Eat?

If your betta fish wonโ€™t eat, try fasting him for a day. Sometimes, that can help your petโ€™s digestive system clear any food inside it, and his appetite will return naturally.

Next, test your tank water to ensure itโ€™s clean and free from ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates. If the water is clean and safe for your betta, try offering your fish some live food or treats instead of pellets.

Observe your fish for signs of sickness, and treat problems accordingly.

How Long Can My Betta Go Without Food?

Betta fish can survive for up to 10 days without food, but leaving him without food for that long is not a good idea, as that will stress your pet. If you are going on vacation, you can buy aย vacation feeder for your betta to nibble at while you are gone.

You might skip feeding for a few days if your betta seems to have digestive problems, but even under these circumstances, don’t go too long without feeding.

What Happens if I Overfeed My Betta?

If you overfeed your betta, you could cause serious health problems and/or affect your tank’s water quality. Uneaten food can break down into ammonia and nitrogen, and too much food can cause bloating andย constipation.

In severe cases, overeating can causeย swim bladder problems, blockages, tumors, and even death.

To avoid the problems associated with overfeeding, never feed your betta more than it can eat in one or two minutes, and always remove uneaten food immediately after meals.

Also, you should never give your betta a portion bigger than its eye, as a betta’s eye is the same size as its stomach.

Do not trust your betta to stop eating when it is full. Instead, feed your betta carefully and thoughtfully, and stop feeding it for a few days if it looks bloated.

Is My Betta Fish Bloated?

If yourย betta fish is bloated, he will have a distended stomach and an unnaturally curved spine. He might also look bigger than normal or have a belly that looks painfully enlarged. Your betta could also get a red, swollen mouth or anus.

When bloating has reached this stage, it is already pretty advanced. Before the physical symptoms of bloating manifest, your fish may have behavioral changes, such as:

  • Increased or decreased appetite
  • Difficulty swimming
  • Lethargy

Stop feeding your fish if you notice any physical or behavioral signs of bloating or constipation and offer him a blanched, skinned pea. That can often get things moving again within a day or two.

Final Thoughts

The best betta food is one that contains a good nutritional balance and plenty of naturally sourced meaty protein.

Feed your betta a staple diet of pellets supplemented by frozen or freeze-dried bloodworms, mosquito larvae, brine shrimp, krill, and the like. Include one day per week when you donโ€™t feed your betta fish to prevent bloating, constipation, and other digestive problems.

Happy betta fish keeping!

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