I don't think my betta is hungry!?

[justinmrice]

I have my betta (Spiderfish, he has a blue body with red fins) in a 2 gallon tank with an aerator (sp?), a small plastic plant and a little rock cove. The first few weeks I had him he ate like a horse and never missed a meal of Hikari (tm) Betta Bio-Gold pellets. Now, I can't remember the last time he actually ate. I have tried to feed him when I come to work in the mornings and he always takes the food in, munches on it a sec, and then spits it out. Any thoughts on what to do? Is this normal?

[nav2008]

how much do you feed him and does he have a fasting day? what is the temp of the tank he is in? whats your water change schedual?

*also as a suggestion, i think you should get a silk plant for him because plastic ones rip their fins and bettas tend to like swimming in, sleeping on, and leaning on their plants and caves.

[justinmrice]

I used to feed him 2-3 pellets 2 sometimes 3 times a day. The only fasting would be on Saturday and Sunday (he is at my desk at work). Not sure of the water temp. I read a couple of other things that said the water needs to be heated so I am going to look into getting one tomorrow. While I am at the store I am going to pick up a different plant. Any recommendations of real versus silk? Also, I change the water once every 2 weeks.

[nav2008]

i would say silk but i know alot of people also like to have java moss in their tanks. i have not had much experience with other live plants though, most of my tanks are bare bottom anyways because its so much easier to clean. yes the water does have to be 78ish degrees if not the betta will become listless. i would also reccomend changing 50% of the water once a week rather than all of it every two weeks as removing the betta adds stress. other than trying a couple different foods (maybe live or frozen, or even flakes) i dont know what else to say, hope he starts eating again. i feed all mine about 4 pellets a day (hikari betta bio gold) once a week fasting, and once a week either frozen food or freeze dried brine shrimp.