Homemade Betta Food

The Siamese fighting fish, also known as a betta fish, is a small breed of freshwater fish which eats a diet primarily consisting of liquid nutrients. Although commercial feed is available for betta fish, there are several homemade options available for a thrifty betta owner looking for cheap alternatives to store-bought food.

  1. Powdered Spirulina Recipe

    • Pour approximately 3 ounces of tank water into a small cup, then add 1 teaspoon of powdered spirulina to the water. Stir the mixture thoroughly until the powder has dissolved and evenly filled the water. Add 3/4 tablespoon of fry fish bites, 1/2 teaspoon of finely ground flakes and 1/2 teaspoon of ground bloodworm.

    Powdered Egg Recipe

    • Fill a cup with 4 ounces of distilled water. Add a tablespoon of chick-pea flour or any other finely ground legume. Mix in 2 tablespoons of powdered yeast and 3 tablespoons of powdered egg. Mix the contents vigorously with a spoon or finger until the mixture is even. Add in three drops of fish liver oil, then a sprinkling of ground food flakes if desired.

    Infusoria

    • An infusoria is the easiest way to create liquid food for your betta fish. However, it will not provide instant food like the prior two recipes. Fill a glass jar with water and tear off a leaf from a head of lettuce. Submerge the lettuce in the water and leave the jar to sit in direct sunlight. The jar will need to sit for several days, after which it will change color to a green hue, as a result of algae building up in the water. This algae-rich water can then be fed to your betta fish.

    Brine Shrimp

    • Although brine shrimp require more care than other food methods, they provide a renewable food source through breeding. For a brine shrimp aquarium a jar or bowl is filled with treated salt water. An air stone is also used as a method of creating circulation within the water for the shrimp. Approximately one-fourth of the water supply should be removed and replaced every week to provide ideal conditions to ensure your shrimp remain healthy and reach adulthood in approximately eight days. To feed you shrimp, crumble four grains of yeast and sprinkle the powder in the water daily.