Betta fish are carnivorous and primarily feed on small live prey, such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and daphnia. When it comes to snails, whether bettas will eat them depends on the snail’s species and size:
1. When Bettas May Eat Snails
Small snails (e.g., baby apple snails, bladder snails):
Bettas may peck at snail juveniles or their soft body parts, especially when hungry. However, they typically do not actively hunt adult snails—snail shells are too hard for bettas to crush.
2. When Bettas Will Not Eat Snails
Large snails (e.g., adult apple snails, mystery snails):
Bettas generally do not actively attack these snails. Their hard shells are difficult to break through, and snails will retract into their shells when threatened, making them inaccessible to bettas.
3. The Impact of Snails on Bettas
Benefits
Snails help clean algae in the tank, aiding in maintaining water quality.
Risks
If snails carry parasites or pathogens, they may harm the betta’s health.
Some snail species (e.g., omnivorous snails) may nibble on aquatic plants, so their population needs to be controlled.
Conclusion
Bettas may eat small snail juveniles, but they usually do not actively prey on adult snails. If there are snails in your tank, you don’t need to worry about bettas preying on them in large numbers—but you should be cautious about snails reproducing too rapidly. To control the snail population, you can remove them manually or introduce assassin snails (a snail species that feeds exclusively on other snails).
Recommendations
If your betta refuses food for an extended period, try feeding it live prey like bloodworms or brine shrimp instead of relying on snails.
Snails are better suited as tank cleaners rather than a primary food source for bettas.