my beta hasnt eaten since i got it

Question
i got a beta fish (male) about 4 weeks ago.  he is in a 4 gallon tank by himself.  the tank is not filtered and i change about 1/3 of the water every 10 days (i put de-stress formula in there with the clean water).  my beta is a spunky little guy, very active and seems healthy.  however, in the time i've had him, i have never ever seen him eat the beta bits i put in the water for him.  i know he's supposed to be a top feeder - but he isn't.  and he's not a bottom feeder either given the number of pellets that gather at the bottom of the tank each week.  he just ignores the food. yet he doesn't seem sluggish or sick.  i've tried the tubifex worms . he ignores those as well.  is he getting nutrients from the pellets dissolving in the water?  if so, should i not change the water as often?  or is he just superfish?

Answer
Hi Ross;

Many bettas are raised on live foods only. You might try live tubifex worms, or live brine shrimp. Also, make sure his water temperature is high enough. Bettas are tropical fish and need their water in the upper 70's Fahrenheit. If it's too low they just don't eat.

Change his water every week. It may help his appetite too. With no filter he needs all the water changed and the gravel cleaned weekly. Over time, wastes will build up and his immune system will suffer. He won't do very well without the weekly changes after awhile.

He must be eating something though. Maybe he doesn't eat in front of you? He may be eating tiny microscopic bugs naturally occurring in his water too. He can't survive long term that way though, even though a month is a long time.

Be sure to remove any excess food immediately. It can poison his water and really make him sick.

At Your Service;
Chris Robbins