Bettas & Guppies

[Andre]

What do you all think about feeding Bettas baby guppies?
I'm not one for ill treatment of fish, or any animal for that matter... But with some other types of fish, people do feed them with "feeder fish".
I was thinking that putting a guppie or something else in there for the Betta's to chase would be more beneficial to them than just using a
mirror. Cause generally with the mirror, they just go back and forth... while I'm sure the blood pressure raises with all of the flaring
and side movement. I figured actually chasing something around the tank for a little while would be a better exercise.
What do you all think about this??


After thinking about it a little more... I remember that a lot of fish (including Bettas) eat their young. Now I don't know if they think it's tasty or not... But is there any nutritional value?? I love my Betta's and will do almost anything to help them live happier and better.
Any other fish that I ever get will always be second to my Betta's. and for the betterment of my Bettas I will be willing to consider either feeding or "sparing" them with guppies, or some other type of fish that will not be a harm to my Bettas.

Please let me know all of your thoughts on this.

Thanks,
Andre...

[amanichen]

There's only two things stopping you from doing it:

1. your own choice
2. a lack of guppies

If you have guppies already then feeding their offspring to a betta would help control the population. But I wouldn't go out and get guppies just to feed a betta.

That said, well fed live-fish make excellent food sources for predatory fish.

[accountingchick]

Well Andre my personal feeling on this is don't feed your bettas feeder guppies. Your betta is fine with all of the variety of food that they make for them. Most of the bettas that you buy would probably just kill the guppies and not eat them, besides a lot of those feeder fish are sick in the first place and you don't want to feed something sick to your betta. As long as the tank for your betta is large enough, your fish is healthy, he gets several five minute intervals of flaring time per day, and he has lots of places for him to explore then I would not be concerned about him not getting enough exercise.

*edit* I use to be a nanny for a couple who had a Lion-fish, and we would feed it feeder goldfish. Well anyway my point is that when we would bring home feeder fish and put them in their tank, half of them would die and they were $0.20 per fish and this was seven years ago so I am sure that the price for them is higher now so feeder fish are not cheap either.

[Andre]

Hi All and thanks for your thoughts.

I bought a bunch of guppies about a year ago for this purpose. I didn't put the plan into full practice. I've only done it twice with two different turn outs.

The first time: I dropped the guppy in... watched for about 5 mins, when to the bathroom, came back and it was gone. My Betta was chasing the gup, and my guess is... he caught him and ate him as planned. I searched for a body and none was ever found.

Second time: Different Betta, chased him around for a while, couldn't catch him... this seemed to be a smarter guppy. My big guy, tried everything, from chasing to ambushes and sneak attacks... couldn't catch him. I left the gup in there for about 4 days. constantly monitoring their actions. after a while on the first night, the Betta gave up the constant chase. so he wasn't being stressed out. either way... long story short.. they became friends and started even swimming and eating together...

I've had the guppies for about a year. I've been taking care of them so I know they are healthy. Their only death rate is the one that was eaten. The birth rate is growing. There is currently about 40 -50 in a 5 gal tank.
I figured some would die from crowding, but nope, and they still multiply. Now the gups are getting gourmet meals... not just flakes. There is usually some left overs from the Freeze dried bloodworms, FD Brine Shrimp and FD Daphnia that I feed my Betta's during the week. I usually feed my Betta's pellets as their usual meal, these others come once a week.

So right now, the cost and health of the guppies do not seem like a concern to me.

My number one concern is, is this a viable health option/bonus for my Betta's, all other feelings aside.

I usually don't get a chance to give my guys that much mirror time... I usually try to let them see each other for a while, but I've got some guys with some personality issues. One guy will hide from guys that are bigger than him... or seem too aggressive. and my old guy, just doesn't seem to care. he'll swim around as if nobody is even around. I did eventually get him to flare at a camera when I tried taking his picture (have not got a good one yet)... but he did chase a gup. He's the one that eventually became friends with it. This Betta ever since I got him, about a year and a half ago, has always been a extra friendly and happy guy. He is very special to me.

[kent1992]

I was thinking of feeding my betta a guppy, but was wondering what size would be suitable?

[amanichen]

kent1992 said:

I was thinking of feeding my betta a guppy, but was wondering what size would be suitable?

Avoid anything bigger than week old fry.

Do you have guppies and nothing to do with the babies?

[kent1992]

Not really. I actually intend on buying some feeder fish. How big are week old fry?

[amanichen]

kent1992 said:

Not really. I actually intend on buying some feeder fish. How big are week old fry?

1/4" long is the absolute maximum I'd ever give to a betta. And they should only really be given one or two a week...they'll take a while to digest.