Some betta fish will eat anything you put in their tank, but others are much pickier. The best betta fish food you can buy is whatever your betta likes best — as long as it has the correct nutrients.
Quick Summary: Best Betta Fish Food
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Our Top Pick
Tetra Betta Small Pellets |
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Fluval Bug Bites Betta Fish Food |
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Hikari Bio-Pure Freeze Dried Treats |
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You can also buy a couple of different kinds of food to add variety to your betta’s diet.
We’ve compiled some of our favorite products to help you get started.
Tetra Betta Small Pellets
Tetra is one of the most trusted brands in fish keeping, and these small, nutrient-rich pellets are ideal for providing a balanced diet.
The floating pellets also include carotenoids to boost your betta’s color and are designed to be just as tasty as they are nutritious.
Unfortunately, some betta fish will not eat the carefully crafted food, and the Tetra Betta Small Pellets can be a bit too big for bettas on the smaller side.
If your betta rejects the food, the pellets disintegrate quickly and can mess up your tank. Try different types of food to mimic a natural diet for your fish. Flake foods can be a great option!
Some fish keepers say their bettas get tired of the pellets after a while, but this problem can be solved with a more varied diet, and the pellets make a good, nutritionally balanced staple for bettas who will eat them.
Pros
- Affordable
- Trusted brand
- Nutritious
- Color boosting
Cons
- Picky fish might not eat
- Pellets can be a bit too big for smaller betta fish
- Uneaten food breaks down quickly and makes a mess of the tank
- Bettas might get tired of the pellet
Fluval Bug Bites Betta Fish Food
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.
The black soldier fly larvae are combined with the 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.
The micro granules sink slowly to help your betta feed at its preferred depth, but some fish keepers say they sink too fast.
Also, the granules sometimes get powdery during shipping or wind up being too small for bettas to pay attention to. A good fish meal is good for its digestive tract.
Invest in high-quality food for your fish and avoid crude protein because it could result in digestive issues. Natural foods or complete foods are good for this type of fish.
Fish who don’t seem to mind the small, quick-sinking pellets love this food, and their owners do, too! Betta breeders also recommend it for fry, so if you have a baby betta, this may be the food for you.
Pros
- Made of insect larvae
- Nutritionally balanced
- Fish seem to like it
- Good for baby bettas (fry)
Cons
- Sinks too quickly
- Micro granules can be too small for bettas to notice
- Food can get powdery during shipping
Zoo Med Laboratories Betta Micro Pellet Food
This food has been around for years, and it’s what I fed my bettas in high school and college. The tube lasts for a betta’s entire lifespan, so it is a good option if you are on a budget.
It’s also super easy to use because you can simply grab one or two pellets with your fingers, sprinkle them into the tank at mealtime, and call it a day.
They float for a while and don’t break down quickly, so as long as you remove all uneaten food immediately, they won’t make a mess of your tank, either.
The large size and hard consistency mean that pickier betta fish will reject this food; however, the pellets may be too big for some bettas (especially female fish).
It has high-quality protein, which is fit for regular feedings and attaining optimal health for the fish.
Always check the ingredients list for crucial details such as energy levels, presence of omega-3 fatty acids, organic matter content, and amounts of protein.
Balanced food is essential for healthy growth.
It really is the most basic of fish food, but sometimes basic is just what you need.
Pros
- Affordable — one tube will last your betta’s entire lifetime
- Easy to use
- Won’t make a mess of your tank
Cons
- Pellets are too big for some bettas
- Pickier fish will not eat it
- The most basic betta fish food available if you’re looking for something fancier
Hikari Bio-Pure Freeze Dried Treats
Hikari is an extremely popular brand amongst experienced fish keepers, and they sell a variety of treats for your betta fish.
You can purchase Hikari Bio-Pure FD Brine Shrimp, Hikari Bio-Pure Freeze Dried Daphnia, or even an affordable combo pack.
Betta keepers say the freeze-dried daphnia and brine shrimp are the only foods their fish will eat when they stop eating or look sickly — and the treats have sorted out digestive problems and fin rot for more than a year few fish.
Some even say their betta’s colors are brighter when they add Hikari’s freeze-dried treats into their betta’s diet.
While you cannot use brine shrimp or daphnia as your betta’s main food source, these products make a great addition to your betta’s diet.
Please note: Hikari also makes a staple food for bettas called Hikari Betta Bio-Gold Baby Pellets Fish Food.
Because Hikari is a Japanese brand, the food and treats sometimes get powdery or encounter problems during shipping and packaging.
Occasionally, only half the product is usable.
Pros
- Fish love it — even picky fish
- It can help sort out digestive problems
- Adding variety to your fish’s diet may enhance its color
Cons
- It cannot be used as your betta’s main food source (unless you also buy the pellets)
- Sometimes encounters problems due to international shipping
Tetra Bloodworms Freeze Dried Fish Food
In addition to providing reliable aquarium staples, Tetra sells supplements, like the best-selling Tetra Bloodworms Freeze Dried Fish Food.
Pet stores cannot keep these crispy critters on the shelves, and betta fish love them!
Betta fish will eat the bloodworms super fast, which is great because it means they like them. But it also means you need to be careful with overfeeding.
Additionally, you may need to hydrate the worms and/or break them into smaller pieces, so your betta can eat them. Sometimes, the worms get broken, which isn’t a problem if you’re feeding bettas but might be annoying for bigger fish.
The worms can also become powdery in transit or arrive stale. The plastic packaging may also crack during shipping, creating a mess. The food comes with a child-safe lid, which some people hate.
Overall, it’s a popular betta treat from a reliable brand.
Pros
- Betta fish love these and eat them up super quickly
- Affordable and available in stores and online
- From a trusted brand
Cons
- You may need to rehydrate worms or break them into smaller pieces to feed your betta.
- Problems with shipping
- People don’t like the child-safe lid
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).
If you want to stick to one brand, both Tetra and Hikari sell staple pellets and tasty treats for your betta.
However, if you want to keep it simple and affordable — and avoid shipping problems — try Zoo Med Laboratories Betta Micro Pellet Food.
For bettas who are picky or don’t like pellets, you can try Fluval Bug Bites Betta Fish Food. If you are trying to mirror the diet, your betta would be eating in the wild; this is a great option.
You can combine it with Tetra bloodworms or Hikari daphnia to mix and match.
Watch a video review to see how quickly Betta’s go for Fluval’s food.
Like with most things fish keeping, it ultimately depends on what you want for your betta. If you want to feed your fish quickly and keep your tank clean, go with Zoo Med Laboratories.
For a slightly more upscale diet, try Tetra, and to give your fish the best, try a specialty brand like Fluval or Hikari.
Do Betta Prefer Flakes or Pellets?
Betta prefers pellets. Some betta fish will eat flakes, but most will not pay attention. Additionally, pellets are easier for you to use and can help ensure you do not overfeed your fish.
Getting meal size right can be too difficult with flakes, and flakes break down quickly, which can dirty your tank, so betta owners prefer pellets, too.
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 a day. Never feed your betta more than it can eat in 1-3 minutes, and keep in mind that your betta’s eye is the same size as its stomach.
Do not feed your betta pellets on a day you use supplements, or you could risk overfeeding.
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 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 don’t eat, try feeding it something it will like. Your betta might reject pellets but devour some brine shrimp, daphnia, or bloodworms.
If your betta doesn’t eat anything, test the water to ensure all the parameters are correct. Look for signs of stress and illness, as well.
When in doubt, take your betta fish to the vet.
How Long Can My Betta Go Without Food?
Betta fish can survive for up to 10 days without food, but this is not a good idea. If you are going on vacation, you can buy a vacation feeder for your betta to nibble at while you are gone.
If your betta refuses to eat for 10 days, something is seriously wrong, and you should see a veterinarian.
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 and constipation.
In severe cases, overeating can cause 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 1 or 2 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 your betta fish is bloated, it will have a distended stomach and an unnaturally curved spine. It may also look bigger than normal or have a belly that looks painfully enlarged. Your betta may 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
- A hard time swimming
- Less movement than usual
- Slower movement than usual
- A movement that looks painful
Stop feeding your fish if you notice any physical or behavioral signs of bloating or constipation.
Let your betta fast for a few days, and it should be able to sort out its digestive system, particularly if you feed it the right food in the right amounts.
While you wait, test your tank to ensure the water conditions are right and fix anything that seems off.
If your fish is still bloated even with ideal water conditions and a few days of fasting, call your vet, as you may be dealing with something more serious.
Buying the Right Food
If I were to buy new betta fish food today, I would probably pick up the Tetra Betta Small Pellets and some treats from Hikari.
These products have fabulous reviews, and I think it would be nice to use pellets most days and treats once or twice a week.
Back in school, however, I used Zoo Med Laboratories Betta Micro Pellet Food because it made my life much easier. I never had to worry about uneaten food; it was so basic that feeding my fish was the last thing I had to worry about.
If I didn’t want to bother with supplements now, I might use Fluval Bug Bites Betta Fish Food to ensure my betta got the bugs it would enjoy in the wild and the nutrients it needs.
It’s a little more expensive, but I like the idea of feeding my betta what it eats in the wild.
At the end of the day, any of the products we reviewed in this blog would work wonderfully for feeding your betta fish. It all depends on what you and your fish prefer.
Bon appétit!