betta not eating

[rsog2000]

I have had a betta for 2 months now. He has always been very happy, making bubble nests constantly and eating everything i feed him. The tank has a filter, and I also change the water frequently. I feed him Cichlid Gold Color Enchancing Formula, same thing my brother feeds his betta (which he has had for the last year and a half). The last few days my fish has not eaten anything, however. He'll try to eat the pellets, but spit them out. Any advice?
Oh and I live in Wisconsin and it's gotten quite cold out but like most people here we don't turn the heat on until we absolutely have to--is this a factor? I'm guessing the indoor temperature right now is low 60's daytime, mid 50's night.
Thanks,
John

 

[lmw80]

First off, hi rsog2000 and welcome to quarium advice. There are a few things I see here. The first is the food...you should be varying the diet, not just feeding him one type of food. I feed mine betta bits by TopFin (I have seen other brands have the same thing, but named them different), and freeze dried bloodworms, and flake food. Some bettas are very picky, while others aren't. Yours may be sick of the same food and may be spitting it out cause he wants something different. Your brother's betta may just not be picky. The temperatures are a little cold for a betta...do you have him in a tank with a heater you can turn on?

Are there any other signs it could be a sickness rather than an eating/pickiness thing? Any rot, patches, blotches, bumps, etc?

 

[juliemichelle]

I would agree that your betta needs a heater. I almost froze mine the other night when it got surprisingly cold! Bettas love between 78-86 degree weather! I love fall! How big is your tank? Even if it is only 1.5 gallons you can buy a cheap heater at WalMart. Once they're warm they really perk up. I thought bettas were boring until I heated them up! I had to try several different kinds of betta food before I found one that he likes. Usually the cheapest or the most expensive! HA! Have you considered getting him a buddy? (Female?)

 

[blueeyes]

I live in WI as well- Milwaukee and yes, its getting COLD isnt it!!!! I didn't turn on the heat yet- but I'm ready too!

You should get some sort of a heater- I have one for my 7 gal thats set at 78 degrees. I also have the tank set away from the window (just in case of a cold draft).

About not eatting- and spitting out pellets- one of my bettas did that too when I introduced him to them (I have hikari bio-gold pellets). I didn't feed him for a day and the next day when I tried it, he ate them fine. Try to vary the diet as well, like others mentioned, bloodworms are good or maybe some brine shrimp? I also feed mine flakes some days. The more variety the better.

Try the heater though- that might be the main thing here. Maybe with the warmer water and constant temperature he'll begin to eat better. Write back!

 

[RogerMcAllen]

Careful on brine shrimp. I forget who told me, but I heard that they are hard for the betta to digest. I was feeding mine exclusinvely brine for a while and she bound up. Looked as though she was going to pop.

 

[rsog2000]

Ok, thanks for the advice. As soon as possible (like this weekend, I don't have a car) I will make a run to the pet shop and buy bloodworms, some different pellets, and a small heater (the tank is only 2.5 gallons). For now, I'll leave the tank light on for a little heat; I'm sure he'll be fine for a few days.
Thanks all.