As carnivorous fish, bettas primarily feed on the following natural food categories:
1、Live Aquatic Organisms
Zooplankton
Daphnia: Contains 40%-60% protein, serving as a staple food source for bettas in natural waters.
Bloodworms (tubifex worms): Rich in heme, enhancing bettas’ coloration; commonly found in riverbed sludge.
Insect Larvae
Mosquito larvae (wrigglers): The most accessible high-protein food in natural environments, high in calcium.
Chironomid larvae (bloodworms): Bright red color stimulates bettas’ predatory instincts.
2、Small Benthic Organisms
Brine shrimp: Widely distributed in salt pans/lakes; their cysts can be stored long-term, and hatched nauplii are highly nutritious.
Nematodes: Require thorough cleaning to prevent parasitic transmission.
3、Other Natural Baits
Small crustaceans: Such as cladocerans and copepods (freshwater plankton).
Aquatic oligochaetes: Like tubificid worms, which need thorough rinsing to remove sludge.
Notes:
Ensure natural live baits come from safe sources to avoid pathogens.
It is recommended to freeze or disinfect with potassium permanganate before feeding.