The type of food you feed your betta fish goes a long way in determining and maintaining the health and safety of the betta fish. A proper diet with balanced nutrients must be fed to your betta fish. Besides, a proper diet, a timely feeding schedule must also be followed. This begs the question how long can betta fish go without food?
This question of how long can betta fish go without food depends on a variety of factors including the general health of the betta fish, the tank conditions, and a variety of other factors. Generally speaking, a betta fish can live up to 10 to 14 days without food. However, this is the case only when the tank conditions are well-suited to the betta fish and the betta is not suffering from any other kind of illness. However, it is not recommended to keep your betta fish starving for longer periods of time as it may have adverse effects on its health.
What Do Betta Fish Eat?
Before moving on to the question of how long can betta fish go without food, let us first discuss what food to feed your betta fish. Betta fish are aggressive and voracious eaters. They would eat anything that would fit in their mouth. Thus, you have to be careful while feeding them.
By nature, betta fish are born carnivores. Thus, they require a balanced diet that is high in protein and should be meat-based. Generally, betta owners feed their betta fish betta pellets and betta flakes. These pellets and flakes are the most demanded among the betta foods and they are rightfully so.
These betta pellets and flakes are readily available over various online platforms and are also quite easy to feed owing to their optimum size and packaging. Moreover, these pellets and flakes contain all the necessary nutrients your betta fish needs in one package.
Other than the betta pellets and betta flakes, betta fish are also fond of live foods like daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms, and earthworms. Such live foods are good sources of protein for your betta fish. However, live food should always be given as an occasional treat and not as a part of the regular diet.
One should also keep in mind that besides feeding the right food to your betta fish, one should also concentrate on feeding it the right amount and at the right time. Ideally, you should not feed more than 3-4 betta pellets to your betta fish at a time.
One should feed the betta fish only once or twice every day depending on the diet. Live food must only be given as an occasional food, only once every week. Overfeeding your betta fish may lead to a host of problems including bloating and constipation.
How Long Can Betta Fish Go Without Food?
Having discussed exactly what to feed a betta fish, now we can move on to answering the question of how long can betta fish go without food. The answer to the question is quite definite and it may surprise you. Betta fish is generally considered a delicate creature, highly susceptible to diseases and illnesses.
However, in the case of how long can betta fish go without food, the answer may shock you. A betta fish provided that the tank conditions are optimum and the betta is healthy can live up to 10 to 14 days without food. This showcases how hardy a betta fish can be in terms of starving for long periods of time.
However, if the tank conditions are not adequate enough then this time frame is also reduced. For instance, if the water parameters like the temperature or the pH level are not at the required level then leaving your betta fish to starve for days will further add to the stress on the betta fish.
Similarly, if the betta fish suffers from a certain illness or disease, a lack of a proper healthy diet will further weaken the immune system of the betta fish, thereby, shortening its lifetime. Therefore, it is recommended never to exceed 4 to 5 days in not feeding your betta fish as, beyond this point, the chances of survival are slim.
Now, you may be wondering how long can betta fish go without food in case of a betta fry. After having hatched, a betta fry can survive around 3 days without food as during the first few days the fry can fulfill its dietary needs using the egg sack.
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When Should I Starve My Betta Fish?
Even though it may seem a little harsh but starving your betta fish has positive outcomes too in some cases. For instance, if your betta fish is suffering from constipation due to being overfed then fasting the betta fish for a few days is considered an effective solution.
However, fasting is not the only mode of treatment for constipation in betta fish. Even if you are planning to starve your betta fish, make sure not to overdo it. Fasting your betta fish for about 2 to 3 days is deemed effective in case of treating constipation.
FAQs On How Long Can Betta Fish Go Without Food
Can betta fish go without food for 2 days?
YES. Provided the betta fish is healthy enough to survive the 2 days. It is recommended not to exceed this limit as it may lead to fatal consequences for your betta fish.
How do I know my betta fish is starving?
The colors of the fins and body start to fade away. Lethargy and lack of movement may also indicate that your betta fish is starving.
Can I leave my betta for a weekend?
YES. Only if your betta fish is healthy and the tank conditions are well-suited to the betta. However, it is still recommended that you get an automatic feeder for your betta fish if this is the case.
Final Thoughts
So, how long can betta fish go without food? Depending on the health of the betta and the tank parameters, a betta fish can live between 4 to 14 days without food. However, it is not recommended to exceed 2 to 3 days in not feeding your betta fish as it may prove to be fatal for your betta fish.
