When we talk about bettas, the most popular and recognizable among fish pets there are things we need to know about. Even experienced keepers sometimes have to deal with the thing that happens and they know little about it. Here we are going to help you learn more about why bettas spit food out, possible reasons, is it dangerous and what to do if you notice that.
In this article:
Betta Fish Spitting Out Food: Possible Reasons
These are the most common reasons why your Betta fish is spitting out food:
A new home
While enjoying your pet and observing it in the new home you may notice that it spits food. You do not have to be alarmed yet. Sometimes bettas refuse to eat when they change the environment. After they adjust and explore their new home, they start feeling comfortable and everything goes back to normal, give some time to your pet and it will be fine.
Your Betta is a picky eater
Bettas have a reputation for being picky eaters. So, if you see a betta spitting out food and you think this is the reason, try a variety of food. Eventually, your pet will start eating things it likes and when it comes across something it doesn’t like it will spit again. Offer something else and take out the uneaten food to prevent pollution of the water. When you are sure that your betta doesn’t eat something try avoiding it or it will stay hungry and become stressed and aggressive.
The portions are too big
One of the most common reasons for a betta spitting food out is the size of a meal. You need to know that betta’s stomach is the size of an eye. If you serve bigger pieces, your pet will not be able to swallow it and it will spit it out. It is advisable to serve very small portions of food to be sure that a betta can swallow. Another thing that can happen is that after serving dry pellets or dried bloodworms for instance they start to swell inside their stomach. As soon as a betta notices a large lump of food it spits it out. We recommend you to pre-soak food before you serve. That way you will know what is the exact size you offer and your betta won’t have a problem swallowing it.
Your Betta might have digestive problems
Sometimes digestive problems may occur so you notice your betta spits for or refuses it completely. The most common health issue is constipation. Do not be alarmed because it is easily recognizable and there is an effective cure. If you notice a bloated belly this is surely the first sign of constipation. The most common cause is overfeeding. Be careful not to overfeed your pet and if you go with recommended food serve it only two to three pellets or bloodworms twice a day. The way to cure constipation is fastening your betta for a day and then after serving some live or frozen food. Another thing you can serve is blanched peas which will surely help and a betta will like it.
If you leave constipation untreated in some cases it may go away on itself but in others may lead to a more serious condition called bladder disease. Swim bladder disease causes your betta problem with swimming, keeping balance and it remains upright. Once the problem is solved your betta starts behaving normally.
Another thing you can notice when looking from above it looks like a pinecone and scales stick out and here, we are dealing with drops. This is a rather serious health issue and if left untreated it may be fatal.
Your Betta fish is too young
When they are young betas are fed only on live food so this may be the reason for your betta spitting out food. It is not used to pellets or flakes and it doesn`t want to eat anything unfamiliar or the portions are too big. To come across this problem, start mixing live and frozen food and be patient. It may take some time, but as soon as a betta realizes that what you offer is also food it will stop spitting and start eating it as a part of a diet.
Your Betta has parasites
There are rare cases when your betta spits food because there are parasites in its stomach that influence normal eating. If this is the case there will be other symptoms so observe your betta carefully and once you are sure you are dealing with parasites quarantine your pet and treat it with proper medications.
Best Food For Your Betta
The most important thing to keep healthy and happy is food. They are carnivores and their diet needs to be rich in proteins. They can only survive on plant-based food but the best advice is to treat it with high protein food. A varied diet should include freeze-dried food, live food like brine shrimp, mosquito larvae and bloodworms and flakes or pellets. Live food that can also be bought in a pet store provides the best source of proteins but also there is also a possibility to bring in a parasite into your tank, so be careful with it. Frozen food lasts longer but you need to presoak it before you serve your betta. That way it will be softer and you will know how big a potion is. And it is the same with freeze-dried food. You need to presoak it before you serve it.
Considering all the options the best choice are pellets that are specially designed for bettas. There are plenty of options at the market you just need to figure out which ones your betta prefers.
One hing though, avoid feeding your Betta with bread and other food humans eat. If you really want to feed it with such food, them you need to get well informed first.
To Sum Things Up
We have presented the most common reasons why your betta pet might start spitting out food and they are:
- Your betta is moved to a new home, give it some time to adjust and it will stop spitting food.
- Your betta might be a picky eater so figure out what it likes and serve a good meal
- Mind the size of the portion, a betta won’t eat portions that are too big
- Spitting food can be caused by digestive problems, observing your betta you will notice a change in appearance and decide what are symptoms and what to do about it. In most cases, it will be easily solved.
- Your betta is too young so it needs to understand that what are you are offering is food
- In rare cases your betta might have parasites, check the symptoms, quarantine your pet and treat it properly.