New Beta not eating

After 3-1/2 years my boys Beta died about 2 weeks ago. I went out and purchased another as a gift from Santa in their Advent Calendar. Well he won't eat! Our last beta used to beg for his food and nearly jumped out of the bowl for it. What a personality! We kept him in a large bowl and actually changed the water every 7 to 10 days at 100% which I've now read is a no, no. I'm going to try the frozen brine shrimp and blood worms (frozen or dried?). Any other suggestions? Thanks for your expertise. Warmest regards, Nina

What is he doing? Is he active and flaring or is he lying listlessly on the bottom? I have found it normal for my bettas to not each for a couple of days after I have brought them home. They can go at least a week without eating so I would not worry just yet unless he does not look healthy. If he seems unhealthy I recommend changing a third of his water daily as well as ensuring he is nice and warm. Do this until he is healthy, then you can go back to weekly water changes. Can you post a photo? I would like to see your sons new fish.

By the way... WELCOME!

i would try frozen dried blood worms they love the stuff and its good for them breeding too ;D they can go 2 months top without eating so i would worry too much unless he looks unhealthy like megham said...were did you get him? it would be a parisite or somethingdepending on where you got him from and bettas are know to be picky on what they eat sometimes

Thank you for the speedy replies. I purchased the beta 16 days ago and as far as I can tell he hasn't eaten yet. He will take the pellet food into his mouth and then spits it right out. I tried 2 different pellets, one that floats and one that sinks, and flakes. Yesterday I tried the frozen brine shrimp. He checked it out but I don't think he ate any. I'll try the bloodworms next. My last beta lived for 3-1/2 years in room temp water which in our house is about 68 degrees maybe this Beta needs warmer water? I did buy him at a chain pet store and I took quite awhile trying to choose a fish that appeared healthy but I'm no expert. He is still swimming around and active not listless on the bottom. He is becoming less spooked when I approach the bowl. I have him on my kitchen island which gets alot of activity and some vibration. Should I move him to a more secluded and stable place? I'll also try changing 1/3 of his water everyday as suggested. I'll keep you all posted and post a picture soon. Thank you again.

Welcome to our forum!

Don't forget to clean up all the food the Betta is not eating. It can quickly pollute a small aquarium. Chain store Bettas are not always in perfect health after spending weeks in a glorified shot glass. Although they can breathe air, they still need to use their gills, and they are affected by dirty water, which is usually full of toxic ammonia. If he started out in less than optimum health, he will need time to recover. A more secluded space could help. If you have access to a floating plant like water sprite or hornwort, it will help control toxins such as ammonia and nitrite. Some decorations or plants on the bottom of the aquarium will give him hiding places and make him feel more comfortable.

After the Betta recovers from his chain store odyssey, he will start taking food. Good luck, and please keep us posted. We like to help.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I went out for the plants and bloodworms. The small pet shop nearby did not have live plants but had the bloodworms. The beta, Flame, as my 3 young boys named him, ate voraciously. Can a beta overeat? I fed him several small bits from the cube and he ate them all immediately. I think he is looking for more but I thought I'd wait a few minutes and came to send this note. I also moved Flame to a corner of my granite counter top were it is more secluded and there is very, very little or no vibration. It is also under a light source were it is warmer. My only concern with that is when I turn off the lights at night or if I leave for a few hours during the day. The temperature in the bowl may fluctuate. I still plan to add the live plants and will do a water change before the end of the day ridding the water of any food off the bottom. I'm hoping Flame is on the mend. Thanks again for all your advice and warm welcome. I attached a picture of Flame right after he ate which was not easy to get - he's quick and still a little skittish.

Picture file was too big - I'm trying again...

Again my picture width is too big. I don't know how to adjust that so the picture will be uploaded. Sorry.

Try photobucket.com. They have a resizing feature that should work for you. I am glad to hear your betta is doing better.

I'm really glad we could help. Bettas have a small stomach, so don't worry about filling it up. A hungry fish is a healthy fish.

About temperature variations: a gallon or so of water changes temperature much more slowly than the atmosphere. A temporary change in air temperature will have little effect on aquarium temperature, especially if you have a big aquarium.

PS: If you live near Phoenix, I'll send you some free hornwort.

Johnarthur, Thank you for the offer of the Hornwort but I'm in New Jersey.

Megham, I'll try resizing the photo at photobucket. Thanks.

New Jersey must be pretty cold by now, so keep warm.

OK its so weird in ohio yesterday it was in the 20's and everything was covered in ice then this morning it was almost 70 and no ice in sight just the puddles flooding the road

Last night, Phoenix was cold enough to hurt the pepper plants but not the citrus. Next winter, the peppers will get some protection.

Our Beta is still eating all the bloodworms we give him. He looks a lot more perky too. Thanks for the help.

We had a real frigid spell here in NJ last week, in the teens with high wind gusts and ice storms but yesterday it hit 60 degrees. I'd like it somewhere in between.

Have a Happy New Year!

I'm really glad for you that Flame is eating!

Did you ever suceed on getting a picture?

I'd love to see him!