Betta can't eat

[Skyle1089]

So recently my betta whom I've had for a year is struggling to eat. He wants to really badly and attacks the pellets but can't seem to get one in his mouth. I'm using both NLS Betta Blend and Top Fin floating betta pellets. The top fin ones are pretty big, but they actually stay afloat, while the NLS ones are smaller but sink after he attacks them once (and misses). I have been crushing up the top fin ones so that he can at least eat something.

He is normally housed in a 5 gal tank but currently I have him in a 1 gal hospital tank with some epsom salt right now. Any ideas what this could be?

[pinkcupid765]

Try some blood worms. They are soft and easy to eat :)

[lelei]

Did you try to guide it to his mouth, so he can see it, it might be that, he just can't see it, if my fishy misses, and that happens too, I put my finger in, and he sees my finger then I push the pellet toward him, then he grabs it, if it starts to sink, there is not much you can do, but try to (as soon as you drop in the water) guide it toward his vision with your finger..

[Skyle1089]

lelei: Oh he sees it alright. I make sure i grab his attention first and hover my fingers over the water, then when he sees that I drop the pellets in and he attacks them and attempts to eat them but just can't seem to do it. Almost like his jaw is strained or something and he can't open it as wide as he used to. Very odd situation.

[Kenny G]

I feed my betta's Hikari Betta Gold micro pellets. They are smaller in size and much easier to digest. Plus they float which is a huge plus.

[lelei]

Originally Posted by Kenny G

I feed my betta's Hikari Betta Gold micro pellets. They are smaller in size and much easier to digest. Plus they float which is a huge plus.

Yes, mine do too, the micro tiny ones are perfect for thier lil mouths

[Skyle1089]

hmm looks like i'll invest in another brand of food. variety is the spice of life i guess