Betta food

Question
Lynda,

I have a question with the food I am feeding my Betta.  I have been feeding it baby shrimp (sun dried Gammarus).  It looks like he is eating it, or simply chew and he spits it out.  The shrimp is complete and has its shell and everything and I was wondering if the shell was good for it or if he is even eating.  I am just trying to figure out if shrimp with there shells are good for it or not.

Thanks,

Nick

Answer
Hi Nick,
Here is a list of food the bettas should have:
Betta Pellets ( a very good food for bettas)
Betta Flakes
Plankton Flakes
Daphnia ( This food is very important as it helps the betta with his digestive system.)
Bloodworms given as a treat, one or two days a week
Glassworms
Mealworms
Frozen Brine Shrimp
The more you vary his diet, the healthier he will be.  The betta gets his vitamins in different foods, so it is important that you vary as much as possible.
Feed him 2-3 times a day in small amounts.  Two pellets or two flakes for one meal.
Your betta should have one cooked frozen pea with the outer layer removed, and cut into tiny pieces once a week.  On the day you choose to feed him the pea, feed him nothing else.  This is so he can clean out his system, and avoid Swim Bladder Disease to which the betta is prone.  Feed him the pieces one at a time making sure he eats them, and that they do not fall to the bottom of the tank.
We must always remember that the betta's tummy is the size of his eye when feeding him.
Baby brine shrimp is no longer good for him, buy the adult kind which you will find in the frozen section of your pet store.
Gammarus is also good for him, if he is eating it.
Vary his menu, and keep his water very clean.  Good food, and clean water go a long way in preventing disease.
I hope this helps.
Lynda