At first glance, Betta fish seem like gentle and light creatures that create a beautiful appearance with their colors and fins. However, when you see how and how much they can eat – you realize that Betta fish are a little more complicated and they are more than just surface beauties.

Although they do not look like that, Betta fish are carnivores and predators. In nature, they are very aggressive and greedy and generally like to eat. Even they can survive for some time without food when they are in the aquarium – choosing the right food and the process of feeding these fish is not that simple.

Owners are often confused and insecure when it comes to choosing food for Betta fish. Many are afraid to follow various online tips, including that Betta fish can be given food intended for goldfish.

So, can Betta fish eat goldfish food?

Yes, it can, but as always there is a big BUT. Read below, how to feed Betta fish with goldfish food.

NOTE TO YOURSELF

The natural environment and the aquarium are two different worlds. In the wild, Betta fish are constantly turned on “survival alarm” and can withstand adverse conditions for much longer and survive without consequences. That is how the Siamese fighters aka Betta fish got their original name.

What Do Goldfish Eat?

Most of the fish we keep as pets require a variety of foods; with an emphasis on the one they eat the most in their natural environments. Goldfish, as Betta fish, have their specialized food on the market. Often such food is in some way synthetic and full of fishmeal and other processed cereals.

Goldfish are omnivores, which means that food intended for these species can have all kinds of additives, from herbal to those of unknown origin. Carbohydrates are the most important for goldfish, and proteins for Betta fish.

It is important, therefore, to immediately emphasize that the nutritional needs of goldfish and Betta fish are not the same and that they only coincide in certain segments. This further entails the composition of specialized food.

Goldfish can and should eat salted shrimp, daphnia, frozen and live, as well as various types of veggie mix. With Betta fish, the food is much more selected and refined.

Pros And Cons Of Using Goldfish Food To Feed Betta

Pros

If we think of goldfish food as just an occasional addition to the Betat fish diet – then such food is quite OK. It will not harm, but it also will not contribute to the general health of Betta fish. It will just seem full, and if it tastes good – Betta will certainly not refuse.

Since goldfish are much less picky than Betta fish and thanks to being omnivorous – many find it easier to create food packaging for goldfish. Fish meal, cereals, vegetables and fruits, and even meaty parts of large animals – all this makes food for goldfish.

Therefore, such food is much cheaper. Although these mixes are nutritionally poor, you can use them from time to time as treats or snacks for Betta fish. Also, if your Betta was ill or in the process of treatment, you can give her food for goldfish; will act as an energy boost thanks to a large number of carbohydrates.

Cons

There are many bad things about a diet that is based on only one type of food. Since Bettas are very sensitive, they can easily get sick or develop a problem with the digestive system. Betta primarily needs protein, while foods rich in carbohydrates cause bloating or constipation.

Thus, Betta fish have no concrete benefits from goldfish food; by no means should the Betta fish diet be based on this food. In the long run, this could create life-threatening health problems for them.

Keep in mind that a carnivorous diet must be rich in protein. Bettas have a natural need for this nutrient and if it doesn’t get enough through food it can become very aggressive. Specifically, it will start looking for proteins by attacking other fish species or if Betta is alone in the aquarium it may experience some kind of panic attack.

Also, a lack of protein can cause problems with the size of your Betta fish. Proteins help them to grow to an average length of 7 cm. For Betta to show its entire natural potential and all the wonderful beauty it carries in genes – must be fed variously and according to its carnivorous nature, from the time she emerges from the verse.

Since Bette instinctively knows what food they need – anything that bothers them will eventually stop eating and they will reject food they don’t like or causing digestive problems. Owners often do not know how to recognize this, but Bette refuses food mainly if it is of poor quality and unsuitable for them. It may saturate them in the beginning, but in the long run, it will only create problems for them. Betta in an aquarium can’t survive long without food, so make sure you provide  Betta with quality and varied meals

What Foods Are Best For Betta Fish?

Nutritionally useless food is always significantly cheaper than food whose sole purpose is to satisfy hunger. And while the price is always important and we all strive to get through cheaper – you might still need to think twice before giving Betty food for goldfish.

There is a specialty food for Betta fish, and you can make your food mixes. When buying food, read all small letters and percentage of nutritional values. 

If the food is “poor” don’t buy it. Your Betta can get sick, so you will end up with much more expensive treatment. Therefore, quality food for Betta fish should contain the following:

Live Food: Daphnia, Shrimp, And Larvae

Live food is most similar to the food Bette eats in the wild and is the healthiest for them. It contains all the necessary proteins and minerals and is great for the delicate digestion of Betta fish. The problem is that it is difficult to find a quality grower of this food and that it is inconvenient to store. However, live foods should be on your Betta fish menu regularly.

Frozen And Lyophilized Foods

Frozen foods contain frozen larvae of insects and various tiny creatures that Betta fish hunt in the wild. There are various levels of quality of this kind of food; somewhere producers put more water/ice, so food is cheaper, but also more dangerous for Betta fish because they could stay hungry.

So, when buying frozen food – take a proven and a little more expensive. Frozen food is a compromise between live and dried food and is perhaps the simplest way to feed Betta fish. The freezing process has not destroyed the nutrients and your fish’s body will have multiple benefits.

Lyophilized (frozen-dried)

It is easy to store, but doesn’t have all the necessary nutrients and can often cause digestive problems such as bloating or constipation. However, from time to time you can give it to your Betta fish. You can include it in fish’s diet as a treat or snack; by no means as a regular diet, because similar to food for goldfish – it contains too much fat and carbohydrates.

Pellets And Flakes

Pellets and flakes are probably the most common food for Betta fish. Easy to store and use, even if you opt for better quality packaging – your Betta fish will get all the necessary ingredients that will maintain its immunity.

Do not overdo it and if at all possible feed your Betta fish with a variety of foods. This means that it would be ideal for the diet to consist of live foods as well as pellets, flakes, and frozen foods. If you follow the recommended amounts and distribute them in meals throughout the week – you do not have to worry about the immunity and health of fish.

Goldfish Food – Yes Or No?

From the point of view of a balanced diet – the answer is no. It is clear to you that Betta fish and goldfish are different species and that their nutritional needs do not match. So, by no means should the Betta fish diet be based on food for goldfish.

You can, however, give them this food from time to time as a treat or in case you run out of suitable food and the shops are closed.