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Bettas, also known as siamese fighting fish, are beautiful, flashy freshwater fish that are usually kept alone or with peaceful community fish.
Bettas can’t live with other bettas because of their aggressive, territorial personalities, but will usually share a tank happily with bottom dwellers like corydoras and kuhli loaches. Even if your betta is a peaceful soul, things can still get problematic at feeding time.
Bottom dwelling fish are fed algae wafers, but bettas are notorious for eating anything they can find, including algae wafers. Can bettas eat algae wafers?
Bettas are carnivores, but eating some algae wafer from time to time is harmless. Algae wafers cannot be a betta’s only food source.
Betta’s diets aren’t as straightforward as they seem, and if they don’t receive the correct foods, it can be detrimental. Read on to learn about bettas eating algae wafers and the effects it can cause!
Is it Okay if Betta Fish Eat Algae Wafers?
Yes, but only sometimes. It’s okay if bettas eat algae wafers sometimes, but since bettas are carnivores, they can’t subsist off of algae wafers alone.
Most algae wafers on the market today have more than just algae in them. Many of them contain krill and shrimp to provide protein that the bottom dwellers that enjoy the algae wafers might not receive otherwise.
The fact that algae wafers aren’t pure algae is why it’s not harmful to bettas to eat them sometimes. A bettas digestive system can’t break down plant matter, which is why algae wafers should be a rare treat.
Algae wafers only become dangerous if your betta eats a large amount of them. So much undigested plant matter can cause problems for your betta, like bloating and constipation.
Are Algae Wafers Bad for Fish?
No. Algae wafers provide necessary nutrients for bottom-feeding fish and are only detrimental if they are the only food source for a carnivorous fish.
Algae wafers are very nutritious, and they have the added benefit of sinking straight to the bottom of the tank, bypassing surface-feeding fish so the fish that feed on the bottom receive all the food they need.
Some fish need a fair amount of plant matter, like algae, in their diets, and algae wafers are a great way to provide these necessary nutrients without allowing algae to run rampant in your tank.
Can I Feed My Betta Fish Algae?
No, betta fish can’t eat algae. They are carnivorous.
Some form of algae is present in almost all fish tanks, but even so, betta fish won’t eat it. Some fish like otocinclus catfish and plecos will eat algae because they require plant matter in their diet, unlike bettas.
If a betta was fed only algae, they would be malnourished in no time.
Can Bettas Eat Shrimp Wafers?
Yes, bettas can eat shrimp wafers, but prefer food that isn’t in wafer form.
Wafer-style fish food is made to sink to the bottom of fish tanks, and betta fish feed from the surface of the water and the middle water column. They are not the intended fish that shrimp wafers are made for, but since shrimp wafers are made primarily from shrimp, it’s alright if a betta eats them from time to time.
Algae wafers and shrimp wafers are both hard when dropped into the aquarium, but swiftly become softer and fall apart, making them easy for multiple fish to enjoy. When these wafers fall apart is when bettas like to sneak in and have a taste.
Luckily, almost all fish foods are made to be safe for all aquarium fish. Although shrimp and algae wafers won’t provide a balanced diet for your betta, it won’t hurt them, either.
Related Questions
Do betta fish need a filter?
Yes, betta fish need a filter and a heater to thrive since they are tropical fish. An unfiltered fish tank can become very dirty, quickly.
Why won’t my betta stop eating?
Bettas are notoriously gluttonous fish and will often keep eating long after they are full. Limit feeding to reduce the chance of harmful bloating.
How often do you feed a betta fish?
Bettas should be fed once a day, and fasted one day a week. Check the specific food that you’re feeding your betta for exact amounts.
See also:
Will Snails Eat Fish Eggs? Read This First!
Is Grapewood Safe for Aquariums?
Can Other Fish Eat Betta Food?
How To Keep Two Betta Fish In One Tank