Easy Betta Fish Care - Articles!

"Betta Fish Feeding Tips And Nutritional Needs!"

by Diana Lynn

Your Betta Fish Needs A Balance Diet, just like you and I, to maintain optimum health. To have a healthy betta, it is essential to fill the nutritional needs of your fish. Nature has determined that feeding the following 5 components will play a key role in making your little friend’s body function properly.

1 – Protein – Your betta is carnivore. As with all meat-eaters, protein is an essential part of your betta’s diet. Your adult betta requires a minimum of 45% protein and up to 60% for adult fish preparing to breed.

2 – Fats – Approximately 8% of your betta’s diet should include polyunsaturated fats such as those found in brine shrimp. Saturated fats, such as those found in beef, can harm your betta’s digestive track. As in nature, your betta may have feasted on shrimp and worms but definitely was not designed to eat a cow.

3 – Fiber – Betta fish need this to aid in digestion. About 4% fiber should do, however if your betta becomes constipated you may need to increase the fiber content.

4 – Minerals – are needed for bodily functions. Your betta fish requires calcium, copper, iron, iodine, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, zinc which are normally found in bone and meat products.

5 – Vitamins - aid in proper growth, digestion, healthy bones, scales and metabolism. Your little friend requires at least vitamins A, D3, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, H and M.

If this all seems a little overwhelming, never fear. You can easily give your betta friend all it needs by following a few simple feeding tips. Choose a good flake or pellet food that meets the vitamin and mineral requirements to feed daily. Be sure to check the label for nutritional information. Then feed live or freeze-dried worms or shrimp a couple of times a week. By including some variety in feeding your betta fish you will be providing proper nutrition that will result in a happy, healthy little friend. And remember, never overfeed your betta.

For more complete information check out the "Betta Care Made Easy" by Adam Short and Amy Grant. You'll be glad you did because betta expert Adam Short has been caring for and breeding betta fish for over 25 years. He has developed a foolproof 'formula' for setting up beautiful betta tanks with perfect water conditions that maximize your betta's health and energy for years to come, and virtually eliminate any chance that your betta will ever get sick.