When I first became a Betta owner I noticed a curious problem on my hands within a few days of buying my fish: It wouldn't eat. I had bought the pellets recommended by the pet store but he would simply spit the food out after a couple seconds. I was worried because I had no idea how long they could go without food, what they had fed him at the pet store, or why he wouldn't eat the food I tried to give him. Below are findings from my experience that can help to put your fears at rest if you find yourself in my situation.

The first thing I found out was that Betta fish can go a pretty long time without food, about two weeks in fact without real impact on their health, and three weeks before dying or becoming ill from malnutrition. Of course you don't WANT this, as constantly skipping two weeks of food could be detrimental, but at least you know it's not going to die if three days after you get it home it still won't eat.

The main reasons for a fish that won't eat:

First and foremost the fish might be scared. After being taken by some giant and plopped into unfamiliar surroundings I'd be wary of eating anything a huge finger poked at me too. Give your pet some time to adjust.

The Betta may also be used to a different kind of food. If the pet store was feeding it something other than what you have to offer them (pet stores often spoil fish by giving them live food) then the fish might be unsure of what to do with whatever you're giving it. It probably smells and tastes different so they're not sure that it's their food yet.

So what can you do?

Just give it time. Keep offering the food to your Betta each day until they get curious, if they spit it out be sure to remove it from the tank so it doesn't build up and become harmful waste. My Betta started eating the pellets after about five days and now likes them so much he'll jump up and get them off my finger. If you're really worried and it's been more than a week you can give him a small piece of a frozen pea that you microwaved (the inner part not the shell). They seem to have no problems eating peas and it might hold him over until he decides to eat his real food.