What Foods Do Betas Eat?

Bettas are carnivorous animals and require a diet rich in protein. Rotate a variety of foods to keep your betta's diet diverse and nutritious. With proper care and feeding a betta can live a long and healthy life. Explore different food options to keep your pet betta in top condition.

  1. Mosquito Larva

    • Mosquito larva is the food of choice for betta in the wild. They eat them in the rice paddies of Thailand. Consider this option if you have easy access to mosquito larva. The larva is not typically sold in stores, so pursuing this treat may require you to explore areas of standing water in your neighborhood.

    Worms

    • Worms are another high-protein option for your betta. You can purchase live blood worms and brown worms at many pet stores. Clean the worms thoroughly before feeding them to your betta to prevent bacterial contamination. Blood worms are also available in freeze-dried form, reducing the risk of contamination to your betta. The freeze dried worms are also easier to store and handle.

    Brine Shrimp

    • Brine shrimp are available live and frozen in most pet stores. Brine shrimp can be expensive and should only be used as a treat. Thaw frozen brine shrimp in a small amount of water before feeding them to your betta.

    Prepared Food

    • Prepared betta food is typically available in the pellet form. Most pet stores carry pellets designed specifically for bettas. Compare the protein levels of different brands and supplement with other foods. Some owners report that bettas can be resistant to pellets if they are accustomed to live or frozen whole proteins.