Betta fish, also known as Siam Wrestlers, are these small marine animals of spectacular color, large fins like fans and very popular with fish-fond people who have aquariums at home. It happens with the Betta, as well as with many other fish, which are very sensitive and have very particular needs, which if not taken into account, are directly reflected in the diet. This means that they can eat less or stop eating and, therefore, affect their health until they put their lives at risk.
If you have a betta fish and you are worried that you are not eating, continue reading this article from Animal Expert, where we have investigated the main reasons for your question Why doesn't your betta fish eat?
He doesn't like the com>
Who wants to eat when they don't like food? It is possible that your betta fish has stopped eating because it simply does not like the food you put on it. It seems an obvious reason but it is not so much. Perhaps those pellets or scales that you have chosen are the cheapest product, with few nutrients, which has less flavor, and that is why your fish is rejecting it.
There are better foods than others, try a brand of better quality and more protein. Remember that betta fish it is a carnivorous animal. You can give him food based on live or dried salted shrimp that he loves. For more information, do not miss our article in which we detail what is the diet of betta fish.
Stress in the environment
Betta fish are stressed for many reasons. If your fish is not eating it may be an indicator that it is going through a stress phase and this could be due to the environment where your aquarium is placed. If you are stressed you will not feel like eating.
For example, a new tank, however large and beautiful, will cause anxiety to your betta, simply because it is an unknown space. Give it time to get used to it. Fish rarely get sick unless they are under stress. So if you can reduce stress as much as possible, it will be the best option. That is, try not to change it constantly aquarium, choose one that is suitable for your fish, from day one.
It also happens that although it is inside the tank, you still get stress from the movement in your environment: your home. A good solution is to bring a little darkness and calm to the aquarium. Cover it with a blanket so that the betta fish does not have to witness and attract all the movement that happens outside your home. Never hit the glass of the tank and teach the children to come to your house not to do it. The darkness will help you adapt faster to your own environment. However, do not leave it in darkness all the time, most fish feed during the day and need light to be more active and, therefore, want to eat.
It does not fit so much com>
The stomach of the betta fish is is the size of its eyeball. very small. It is to be understood that he does not eat much food and, therefore, does not eat as much as we can believe. So think it will be enough to place a very small amount of food to feed your fish and that, many times, it will eat when you are not precisely watching it. Do not overfeed a betta fish, they have very common digestion problems that later translate into other diseases. Remember that to avoid your betta fish stop eating the formula is: little food but good quality.
Aquarium conditions
If you still wonder why your betta fish doesn't eat, you should know that betta are cold-blooded fish whose metabolism is directly related to the water temperature of the place where they live. They require it to be stable between 24 ° C and 26 ° C. As the water is somewhat warmer, they metabolize their food faster, needing to eat more to maintain their own temperature and body energy. Despite being cold-blooded, when betta are kept in colder water, their metabolism slows down and the need to eat will be less. Also, make sure the water parameters are in order: reasonable nitrates and ammonia and nitrite at a very low level. To do this, see our article in which we explain the basic care of betta fish.
Expression of some disease
Last but not least, you should discard the possible presence of any disease in the body of betta fish, since lack of hunger is one of the most common symptoms. If you have tried to correct the above reasons and still do not know why your betta fish does not eat, you should pay attention to a general picture of alternate symptoms such as: lethargy and heaviness, loss of color, fins stuck instead of open, swelling in your stomach , torn and bloody fins, parasites and fungi. If some of these symptoms occur, the best will be go urgently to the veterinarian. It may be jeopardizing not only the health of your fish, but also its own life.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why does my betta fish not eat?, we recommend that you enter our section on feeding problems.
My fish does not eat and stays at the bottom: what is wrong with it?
This behavior in a fish can be due to several reasons. These are the most frequent:
- It is a bottom fish and calm character. If you have other fish of the same breed, also observe their behavior.
- Temperature The aquarium is not adequate or is not stabilized.
- PH Water is not correct.
- You are changing the water in the fish tank too often, thus losing the microorganisms necessary to stabilize the habitat.
- Your fish is getting too much food on your part and is not able to process it.
- You are not turning off the light from the aquarium during the nights.
- There is too much activity Around your aquarium. Crashed fish usually retract, try moving your aquarium to a quiet room in your house.
The correct feeding of the fish
“My fish does not eat and stays at the bottom, What happens to him? If you are asking yourself this question, keep in mind that many of the fish diseases result from poor diet.
Make sure you are feeding your fish in its proper measure and remember that food excesses are also harmful, above all for the fry. How to calculate what is the right measure for your fish? Think that, normally, fish are able to eat every fair serving of food in 2 or 3 minutes.
Most common symptoms that a fish is dying
The first thing you have to know is where to look. The parts of the body where we can find clues to a possible death or illness are the fins, the abdomen, the state of its tail, the color of its own body and its eyes. You also have to be very aware of his behavior, of how nothing and in what position he does.
We say this because if you see that nothing sideways and even with the abdomen pointing to the ceiling you may be suffering a collapse of your system. That is to say, the way your fish behave is key. Remember that they can suffer a lot of stress or anxiety, which aggravates their state of health. An aquarium adapted to your needs, the right amount of oxygen, having the right partners and a good diet will always help.
How to save a fish that is dying
The two most easily visible symptoms that we are facing an illness, we have to look for them in your body and in your fins. Is there an infection? Sometimes blood can flow from them, being possible that it is a virus, a bacterium and even a fungus has caused it. Watching for this infection and isolating it quickly in case you have it can save the lives of others.
Another worrying symptom is that you show wounds on them or are different, such as bulges. Daily, worry about examining everything is how to plant. As for your belly, it is worrying so much that it is inflated, as if it had air, but also that it is contracted, inwards. Fish can suffer many feeding problems, these two clues are telling you that you are doing something wrong.
Our online veterinarians will inform you what kind of food you have to give and in what quantity to recover your health. Ask us your question indicating age, type of fish and all the data you deem appropriate, so you will save it.
Symptoms that my fish is sick
Another of the symptoms that a fish is in danger of death if you do not do something you will find in a change in its skin. Fish have to maintain a healthy pigmentation, but it can get dark or turn white. Occasionally, because of the presence of fungi, you may end up suffering from white spot or spot disease, They also require your attention if you do not want to be spread throughout the aquarium.
In addition to all these symptoms, another crucial clue is in his eyes. Learn from memory the size, shape and penetration in your flesh when you arrive at your home. We tell you because these can sink, be more bulging than normal and even show as with a film that gives them some opacity. All these symptoms require the attention of a specialistAgain, we recommend you ask us for help.
Why do fish stay at the bottom without moving?
There may be cases in which your fish does not move and is on its side, that does not move but still breathes or that the day is floating sideways. These symptoms are usually due to a disease related to your swim bladder, and are usually fatal. Fortunately, they do not always lead the animal to death, but many times.
If your fish has these behaviors, the first thing you have to do is isolate it. This will allow you to rest in a fish tank where you have no stress or anxiety. Leave it fasting a little and then improve your diet, as they are usually problems related to your digestive system.
How to resuscitate a dying fish?
Follow this same process if you have any fish that presents these symptoms, clean the impurities that may have on the body and gills with care and hygiene, then Get in touch with our online veterinarians to get more information.
Have you been left with doubts? Ask our veterinarians:
My fish doesn't want to eat - Reasons
Fish may not eat as much as usual just before giving birth. If you suspect your fish is pregnant, take it to a breeding tank where it can have privacy and protection and a safe environment to give birth. Typical signs of pregnancy of live fish include a swollen abdomen and a dark triangular mark towards the lower fin. You may even be able to see the dark spots of the fry's eyes through the mother's body.
Disease
A fish that does not eat may be sick. Watch your fish for other signs of illness, such as staying in a part of the tank, appearing apathetic or swimming abnormally. Old or sick fish can begin to list or swim on one side. This could be a natural progression related to the age of a big fish or a sign of disease that can be treated. Consult a veterinarian for an evaluation.
Stress can sometimes cause a fish not to eat. Stress can occur when a fish is transferred from one tank to another to clean or move it, or if the temperature of the tank suddenly changes. Saltwater fish are more susceptible to temperature-related stress than freshwater fish. The addition of other new tank mates can also temporarily stress your fish and scare them away from food. Limit stress on your fish by making partial water changes regularly instead of large scale cleaning. It will reduce stress and help you maintain a healthier tank environment in general.
Fear can prevent a fish from eating. This is often observed in a community tank in which larger, more aggressive fish scare smaller partners, when they compete for food. To help alleviate this problem, choose fish for your community tank that are relatively the same size and temperament, or feed them properly so as to reduce competition for limited food resources.
Overfeeding
If you are feeding your fish too much, it may seem that they are not eating. Be sure to provide the right amount. Watch your fish when you feed them to assess their consumption and behavior. If a veterinarian rules out health problems, try different food brands in demanding people to see if it improves appetite.
It may interest you.
