Betta fishes (or commonly referred to as Ikan Cupang in Indonesia) are fresh water fishes that originate from popular South East Asian countries such as: Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and Vietnam. Aside from their unique physical features, Betta fishes have an aggressive personality that takes a certain group of people to understand and fully appreciate them. These territorial fishes can be categorised into three categories: groomed Bettas, fighting Bettas, and wild Bettas.
As for Indonesia – particularly in Pampang, Kalimantan – one of the most commonly found Betta subspecies is called the Channoides Betta. This Betta fishes are healthy and strong by default, and has a low mortality rate. Due to their health, most of these fishes are relatively low maintenance to care for – and could survive in a tank with a low water volume.
On a separate note, Betta fishes would not survive if they are left to starve for two weeks. This is why breeders are advised to feed their farms for at least once every 3 days. Though this is just the general rule of thumb, most breeders could tailor their feeding schedules according to their different needs. Some breeders would want to feed their fishes more for the extra dose of nutrients, while some would prescribe them a stricter diet to loose unhealthy weight. However, and more important than their feeding schedules, breeders should always ensure that they are feeding their farm the healthiest and best quality of food for their health.
There are multiple forms of nutritional food that you could feed to your Betta fishes: starting from high end products up to affordable organic feed. The choice depends on the breeder’s circumstances and needs, but it helps to explore a few other nutritional options beyond your plans. So, if you’re looking for the right feed for you farm, be sure to read through this article to find out 6 nutritional food to feed your Betta fishes.
1. Silk Worms
Breeders with a weak stomach could cringe to the idea of collecting live silk worms for your betta fishes. However, despite their wiggly looks, silk worms is packed with helpful nutrients that would help your farm grow healthily. They are concentrated in high levels of healthy fat and protein, having about 12-13.5% and 40-50% respectively. Additionally, silk worms are also packed with a good amount of fibres that takes up to 2-2.5%.
2. Water Fleas
Another creepy crawly worth to consider as a feed would be water fleas. Water fleas can be found nearby big bodies of water such as rivers and ponds. They are rich in nutrients that is best suited for all types of small fishes, so feeding your farm water fleas is a safe option for a nutritional packed diet.
The science lies with the types of vitamins found in these microscopic animals. Water fleas is packed with a high dosage of protein that takes up to 20-50%, rich carbohydrates of 0.6-0.9%, and low levels of saturated fats that takes up only 0.5-0.7%. Though they may not provide as much nutritional value as their silk worm counterparts, water fleas are especially beneficial for bone growth and an increased quality of their colours.
Breeders are given two options of water fleas that is best suited for one’s farm’s diet, which are: Daphina SP and Daphina Magna. Each types contain different nutritional needs, and it is advised that breeders do more prior research before choosing the right one form. If breeders choose to feed your farm with Daphina SP, be sure to wait about 3-15 days post birth to start feeding them. For full adult Betta fishes, breeders could feed them Daphnia Magna water fleas for the extra nutritional boost.
3. Mosquito Larva
If the thought of silk warms and water fleas has not cringed you enough, be open to the idea of feeding your farm mosquito larvas. Despite their unpleasant looks, mosquito larvas are packed with healthy nutrients that helps your betta fishes grow healthily. Additionally, they are an affordable alternative to your over-the-counter fish pellets that is perhaps filled with as much nutrition. You could spot these larvas in closed off humid dark corners of large bodies of water.
Mosquito larvas contain multiple vitamins that would help boost the health of their immune systems. These larvas generally contains up to 13-15% of protein, 7-8% of unsaturated fats, and 3-4% fibre. These three nutrients are required to maintain a good physique and the overall health of their immune systems. Feeding them this diet regularly will give long term benefits.
4. Microworms
Another organic alternative that you could feed your Betta fishes would be microworms. Microworms are a popular choice for Betta fish farmers due to their accesibility and high doses of healthy nutrients. Betta fishes have also taken a liking to their organic feed, and breeders are able to far these at a relatively low cost – both financially and time wise.
If breeders are willing to farm microworms of your own, be sure to buy your first batch for Rp.10,000 a jar. Empty the jar of worms in a humid environment of 68-85 degrees for them to grow and flourish. The worms would eventually reproduce and multiply in number – providing an endless supply of feed to your farm.
5. Artemia or Water Shrimps
Artemias are a common feed that is given to Betta fishes which directly contributes to the speed of their growth. Unlike the conventional shrimps that you would find in fancy cocktails, water shrimps are tiny and are usually newborns. They are 0,4cm long and are fed to small fishes that are 3-10 days of age.
Though Artemias are also packed with proteins and nutritions, they still contain a comparatively lower level of vitamins than their mosquito larvas and water fleas. Artemias contains 8-10% of protein, 2-2.5% of unsaturated fats, and 0.2-0.5% of fibre.
6. Egg Yolk
Last, and certainly not least, breeders would also opt to feed egg yolks to their 3-8 day old farms. As much nutrients as they provide to humans, egg yolks are rich in proteins and unsaturated fats. However, feeding your farm too much egg yolks could be harmful – as it may cloud their habitat’s water, which could cause death. Before feeding your farm egg yolks, be sure to do your prior research first to know if this feed is best for your farm.
So there you have it, 6 nutritional food to feed your Betta fishes. These are just affordable organic alternatives to over-the-counter pellets, but breeders are still advised to do more prior research to know that these are best suited fr you own farm. Breeders should also be reminded that every farm requires and grows differently – therefore should not expect all farms to grow at a uniformed rate. Good luck!