Can he live on bloodworms alone?

[Campbell]

I've had a fish for a few weeks now, and the only thing he has eaten is bloodworms. He was the smallest fish at the store, and I thought he was just young. Now I think it might be because he is an extremely picky eater. I've tried three different types of pellets and some flakes with absolutely zero luck. He will, however, always eat bloodworms. I've tried waiting a couple of days (up to 6) without feeding him so he would get hungry, but he still spit the pellet out. Could there be an underlying problem? How long will blood worms keep him sustained?

[Kittles]

Are they freeze-dried bloodworms? Those have almost no nutritional value and should only be fed as occasional treats.

I'd keep trying the pellets and flakes until he takes. When I first got my betta he didn't eat anything for over a week. Eventually he figured it out, though, and is now a glutton for all foods, I swear.

[Campbell]

Yes, they are freeze dried. I know they're "treats", and thats how I feed them to my other bettas. I've had this guy a little over a month, and try pellets everyday. I just feed the bloodworms 3 times a week because I figured they would be better than nothing. He's definitely still on the skinny side. I'm just wondering if there could be a health problem... I'm kinda at my wits end.

[vilmarisv]

Are you sure the pellets are small enough for him? It might be uncomfortable for him to swallow them.
You could switch him to frozen bloodworms, that's what I feed my fish suplemented with pellets 2 times a week.

[Campbell]

I use Aniston's pellets, which are the smallest I'm aware of. I doubt it's a size thing because he will get them completely in his mouth before spits them out and the bloodworms are much larger.

[Kittles]

Ah, I was unaware you've had him for that amount of time. Have you tried soaking the pellets in garlic juice? I hear bettas are crazy about the garlic juice.

[Campbell]

No, I haven't tried garlic juice. Any brand recommendations? Should I look for organic?

Edit: And thanks for the quick advice!

[Kittles]

I've never done it myself, but I'd imagine organic would be wise. I've always been under the impression that people use the pre-minced, jarred garlic like these.

[Lion Mom]

You could try a different brand of pellets. I have been using New Life Spectrum Growth Formula which has garlic in it and my fish are CRAZY for it!!!

A tad pricey, but what the heck?

[Campbell]

Well I've tried 3 different pellets with no luck, and my other fish all seem to love them. I'll pick up some garlic juice today.