Betta fry feeding

[Jimmy]

My betta fry don't want to eat any crushed granule foods. Is there a specific way that I have to present it to them or a specific food that I have to try?

I am still feeding them microworms but this is not a sustainable food source for them.

I have tried using ground up bloodworms but it does not look like they are eating it.

Any suggestions and help would be much appreciated.

Regards.

[Pleco102]

Hi how old is the fry? Sometimes they r just stil 2 small to eat crushd flake and or granular food. The microworms wil be ok to get them to grow so u cn move on to crushed flakes etc. U cn use bbs aswell 2 vary there diet.

[Jimmy]

I cant really get BBS at the moment so im stuck with the microworms. They are just over a month old.

They look interested in the food as it falls to the bottom of the tank. Guessing its the movement that catches their attention.

[Rooivlerkie]

I think you should feed them microworms for the next month or so.
The food I did use for my previous spawns are BABY FISH FOOD for egg layers

[Vis]

Hi Jimmy

When the fry are young movement activate their hunting instinct that is
why BS is such a good food for fry.
Its also very nutritious and allows them to grow very fast.
A lot of fry will not eat other food due to its size anyway.

I have baby angel fry that is a few day older then 3 weeks and are already
almost as big as a 20c coin. When they reach a certain age you see them
scavenge for food on the bottom and sides of the tank, at this time they would
usually start eating other stuff.

Here is what I do with all my fish, young and old. Every time I feed them I turn the
filter off. First I give them what they eat for about a week and a half.
No they are conditioned to know that whenever the filter goes off its feeding time.
You can immediately see the change in behavior when the filter goes off.
Ok so now they know that its feeding time and whatever falls into the water
should be food.

They are surprised the first few times when suddenly something different appears :)
So I mix it up, one feeding time I feed them something they like and the next something else
and so slowly faze out the other food.

I have gotten stubborn fish to eat all kinds of things by this way of mental conditioning.
Also feeding them something else in the morning helps because they had no food all night
and are pretty hungry.


Hope is helps a little.
Gerhard

[Jimmy]

Vis this is what I needed. Thank you. Will definitely give it a try!

My only problem is that the current which is produced by my filter is to strong for the fry. Throwing them left and right. I do turn it on on a daily basis for say an half an hour. So I will feed them when the filter is turned off. Suppose it will be the same as your method.

Thanks for the help everyone!

[Vis]

Hi Jimmy

Yes try it and see. If you are planning to breed in the future make
sure you have a good sponge filter and BS eggs.
You need a filter to keep water moving slightly and clean.

If betta fry are raised in good conditions you should have a fully grown betta
in 11 weeks or less, so let's say 2months and a week :)

[Gert Combrink]

... I do turn it on on a daily basis for say an half an hour. So I will feed them when the filter is turned off. Suppose it will be the same as your method.


Switching a filter off for that long, could be hazardous to your fish, as the bacteria in it will die. Reduce the flow with a spray-bar etc.

[Jimmy]

At the moment the bacteria is not one of my biggest concerns. I do a 70% daily water change.

How does a spray bar work? I'm new with all the filters and different attachments etc.

[Luis]

70% water change ???
aint that too much ??

[Jimmy]

At the moment I do a 70% water change, putting back water that is the same temperature and which is conditioned. Seeing that the filter is only on for short periods of time the water quickly turns bad. Also for changing that much water is the supposed releasing op pheromones that inhibits growth in the betta fry.

It all makes sense to me. But of course I could be completely and utterly wrong. Only a student!

[Jimmy]

Any comments on my last post?