Bettas are famous for the way they gulp down their food. These fish have an interesting defense mechanism that allows them to spit out any potential threat. They will splat food in your face and completely unhinge their jaw to get it out of their mouth before you can even blink. Most betta keepers see this as a quirky habit, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. There are several scientific reasons why your Betta fish might throw its food out of its mouth and how you can prevent this from happening again. Read on to discover why betta fish for sale spit out food and what you can do about it.
The Science Behind Betta Fish Throwing Up Their Food
Betta fish, or Siamese Fighting Fish as they are formally known, are found in Southeast Asia. They are a species of freshwater fish and are carnivores, meaning they only eat other living creatures, such as insects, worms, and small crustaceans. Their unique ability to throw up their food originates from the fact that they have specialized teeth called odontoid spines. These are spikes that jut out from their gums that allow the betta fish to latch onto and consume its prey.
When it consumes its food, it goes straight to the stomach, which is why the betta fish has to constantly eat to survive. Researchers have discovered that there is a specific part of the betta’s brain that is dedicated to storing memories of food they’ve eaten and what it tasted like. As a result, they can remember if they’ve eaten before and spit out the same food to avoid being poisoned by its food.
And because the betta fish has a short digestive tract, any food that hits the stomach has been broken down into a liquid form and is ready to exit the body. The betta fish can use its odontoid spines to forcefully push the food out of its mouth and into the water where it can exit the body without having to go through the whole digestive process again.
Type of Food Betta Can and Cannot Consume
There are a few types of food that betta fish cannot consume and a few they can consume. There are many misconceptions amongst betta fish keepers that they can eat anything that looks like food, but that is not the case at all. These fish are very particular about what they eat and what they can and cannot consume. Certain types of food are better than others. If you want to keep your betta fish happy and healthy, here are the types of food you should be giving it and those you should avoid. Food to Avoid Feeding Your Betta Fish:
– Human Food – Although it might seem like a good idea to feed them leftovers from the dinner table, this is very dangerous for your betta fish. Humans have evolved to be able to consume just about anything, but betta fish have very specific dietary needs. If you feed your betta fish something that has not been specially formulated for fish, it will likely get sick from it.
– Overly Salty Food – Betta fish are very sensitive to things like salt, so it’s best to avoid it in their food. If you add too much salt to their food, it will throw their electrolyte levels out of balance, which can lead to fatal consequences.
– Soured Food – It’s good to keep a few worms on hand at all times, but it’s important to make sure they’re fresh. If you leave worms out on the counter too long, they will start to go bad, causing dangerous bacteria to grow in the food. Betta fish are very sensitive to things like E. coli, listeria, and salmonella, so it’s better to be safe than sorry and avoid feeding your betta-soured food.
– Frozen Food – Frozen food is not a good idea for your betta fish because it contains too much ice, which can cause their organs to freeze and rupture.
Food to Feed Your Betta Fish:
– Frozen Bloodworms – If you want your betta fish to be happy and healthy, it is important to feed them at least once a day. Frozen bloodworms are a great source of protein and have all the vitamins and minerals your betta fish needs to stay healthy.
– Frozen Brine Shrimp – Frozen brine shrimp is another great source of protein and vitamins that your betta fish needs. It is also very affordable and can be found at most pet stores. You should avoid feeding your betta fish brine shrimp on the day that it is a full moon.
– Freeze-dried Tubifex Worms – Freeze-dried tubifex worms are a great source of calcium and trace minerals that your betta fish needs. These worms are high in protein, but they are also light enough to sink to the bottom of the tank, so your betta fish can easily consume them.
– Freeze-dried Bloodworms – While it may seem redundant to feed your betta fish freeze-dried bloodworms, it is important to feed them a variety of worms. If you feed your betta fish freeze-dried bloodworms year-round, it will lose its appetite and stop eating in the winter when the water gets too cold.
Probing Hooks
Betta fish are carnivores, so they are always looking for an easy snack, which can lead to them biting the fins of other fish in your tank. Betta fish normally do this when they are young, but it is important to make sure they do not continue biting the fins of their tank mates when they grow up.
The best way to stop betta fish from biting the fins of other fish in their tank is to cover their mouths with a piece of sponge or a piece of silk, which will make it difficult for them to bite anything. If you notice your betta fish biting the fins of other fish in their tank, you should also make sure that you have enough space for all of your fish.
Betta fish like to be in a large school of other bettas and can become aggressive if there are too few fish in their tank. Additionally, you should feed your betta fish other foods that will help curb its appetite for biting the fins of other fish.
Excessive Shaking
If your betta fish seems to be constantly shaking its body from side to side, it could be suffering from a disease called fin rot. Fin rot is caused by poor water conditions and can easily be treated with a change in water and a course of antibiotics.
However, if your betta fish shakes its body excessively, it could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as swim bladder disease. If your betta fish is experiencing swim bladder disease, it will continuously shake its body because it is not able to control its buoyancy. This can be a serious condition, and you should bring your fish to a veterinarian to get it treated as soon as possible.
To prevent your betta from getting swim bladder disease, you should make sure to only feed it worms that have been frozen in a liquid form. Frozen worms are easier for your betta fish to digest and have fewer nutrients than frozen worms on a hook.
