Feeding Betta's in 10 gal. w/filter 2x/day?

[skysmom]

I am wondering if you all have an opinion about feeding my betta's twice a day, only as much as they can eat in 5 minutes each time, but with the filtration they have to work harder and swim ALOT more than they would in a small bowl, especially since it's just two in a 10 gallon tank.

[wiccansinger]

personally i feed mine twice a day depending on the fish it varies in amount. i think it is better for an animal to be fed smaller portions more often, although they do need one day without food a week unless you want sick bettas on your hand. good luck with your bettas!!!

[BettaLu&Meg]

Heres some things to do to ensure Correct health in your bettas, Fishmomma and anyone else if they have USEFULL INFO Please post to help our fellow betta owner properly care for there bettas as we do!!!!

First the tank, The recomended size for a healthy and happy betta/fish is 1 per 2 gallons! this gives them the room to swim, exercise and a territory for them to conquer. Now even tho these fish can live in harsh conditions as people we don't want that for them, so a filter is needed and a water heater is neccassary! They are tropical fish and need there water to be at temps between 74-82degreesF. Also supplying these for your betta will reduce the risk of poor water quality diseases and destroying there immune systems due to frigid waters.

For feeding as i posted in several threads and posts, Vareity is the only way to feed your betta to make sure he's healthy and immune system is strong. Feeding your betta the same food over and over will make him sick. Sicknesses such as swimm bladder disorder and constipation. These are sicknesses not deadly if not ignored but very uncomfortable for them and horrible to see them lifeless!
Hikari is a brand breeders like myself and fish keepers like Fishmomma swear by! heres the link to help you see what they look like Hikari info : Tropical fish INDEX
Now Pellets and Betta Flakes should be there normal everyday diet! Feeding should be 2x a day also. Bloodworms and freezedried shrimp/or frozen are only treats and not there set diets food!! so don't over feed with this because they produce more problems in your bettas belly as would candy to a baby!
Now for the pellets, you should feed them 3-4 pellets each feeding, Also should be presoaked for about 3-5 minute before giving this to them. I KNOW IT DOESN'T SAY THAT IN THE DIRECTIONS but take it from me, and us (on this forum) presoaking it makes it easier for them to chew and easier to digest than the pellets hard. It also rehydrates.
Now for the flakes you want to serve a pinch full each feeding

Ok now this is very important..........ANY LEFT OVER FOODS AFTER 5 MIN REMOVE!!!
In this time after 5 minutes of feeding they already eating what there goin to eat so it should be taken out, if failure to remove excess food presists then expect poor water quality, Overfeeding(which can contribute to swim bladder disorders and other illnesses) and bacteria blooms. <~~ these are a no-no for your bettas lives-sake

Now for your weekly water changes, Even tho they can live in harsh conditions like i stated, filters should be purchased and 2 gallon per bettas should be available, when its possible. Purchasing a filter also makes weekly water changes a little bit easier, and if your like me and other hear with more than 4 tanks any help is good.

With filtered water only 40-50% water change should be done and replaced with CONDITIONED water! no filters a 70-80% water change IS NECCESARY!! doing this will ensure your bettas health
Heaters should be set for 74-82degreesF and a thermometer will help say what the temp is!
Also live plants are good for oxidation in your tanks water, removes some nitrates and other harmful substances in the water.
Also live scavengers, like snails that keep ammonia and algae levels down help also!

[Oscar Betta]

If you feed flakes, just feed him them once a day. give him a pinch of them, and they should probably be done within 5 minutes.

[bettalvr]

Adjust your 'pinch' of flake food to your individual fish. Most of us use the term 'pinch' quite often when feeding fish, but I have found that we all measure a pinch a little differently. A pinch for my bettas is very different than a pinch for our cichlid tank (more like a handful!) and different for our koi, etc. Watch your bettas and see how much they're eating at a time. I'd err on the side of less so you're not cleaning your tank everyday of the leftovers. As you get a feel for amount, you can adjust your pinch accordingly.
And yes, they will probably burn a little more of the food you feed now that they're in a ten gallon tank and a current. . . and the exercise is good for them. I would say that most bettas do fine feeding only twice a day so I probably wouldn't go to more feedings or even more food each day (you don't want them to bloat). Continue to watch them and you'll figure out what yours need daily.
Good luck and keep posting!

[Oscar Betta]

Originally Posted by bettalvr

Adjust your 'pinch' of flake food to your individual fish. Most of us use the term 'pinch' quite often when feeding fish, but I have found that we all measure a pinch a little differently. A pinch for my bettas is very different than a pinch for our cichlid tank (more like a handful!) and different for our koi, etc. Watch your bettas and see how much they're eating at a time. I'd err on the side of less so you're not cleaning your tank everyday of the leftovers. As you get a feel for amount, you can adjust your pinch accordingly.
And yes, they will probably burn a little more of the food you feed now that they're in a ten gallon tank and a current. . . and the exercise is good for them. I would say that most bettas do fine feeding only twice a day so I probably wouldn't go to more feedings or even more food each day (you don't want them to bloat). Continue to watch them and you'll figure out what yours need daily.
Good luck and keep posting!

yep! good advice!

[bettalvr]

Thank you very much, OscarBetta!

[BettaLu&Meg]

I only have/worked with bettas so a pinch is literally a pinch.... Even tho my females look at me like... "c'mon buddy thats it? your serious aren't you!!" lol

[bettalvr]

Oooohhhhh, Luis. . . I get those looks from most of them here. .. the "where the h*ll are you going with the rest of our food"?! I think mine would be the size of an oscar/piranha cuz they sure eat like them!

[BettaLu&Meg]

seriously, One of my females literaly jump out her divider to eat the males food, then jumps back to her side.... i should put it on americas funniest videos! lol