How Long Can Betta Fish Live Without Food?

If you are wondering how long can betta fish live without food, you’re probably going on vacation or will be away from your home for some reason. Or maybe you are worried because your fish isn’t eating. We doubt you just randomly want to starve your pet fish. In this blog we will explore the length of time bettas can live without food and more. 

Can A Betta Fish Survive 3 Days Without Food?

Bettas are extremely adaptable. In the wild, they may even go 2 weeks without food. While that length of time would cause a lot of stress for your pet betta, they are still quite hardy and 3 days without food should be fine. 

Is It Ok Not To Feed Betta Once A Day?

We know most people feed betta fish once daily, and that is okay. However, twice daily or even three times daily feeding is ideal because it reduces the risk of bloating and constipation. If you are switching from once daily to 2 or more times daily feeding, just remember to break up that single meal amount rather than feeding 2 times or 3 times the amount of food. Also, whether you stick with once daily or you adjust to more times per day, a fasting day even once weekly can also help prevent digestion issues in bettas.

Why Is My Betta Fish Not Eating?

If your betta is not eating, it is most likely either stressed, sick, or both. Start by cleaning your betta fish’s aquarium. Make sure that your fish’s tank is heated. Bettas are tropical fish that need their water temperature to be around 76 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit. Try a different food. Maybe even something live or frozen, like daphnia, brine shrimp, bloodworms, or mosquito larvae. If your fish’s stomach looks bloated, you can try ¼ -½ of a cooked pea with the skin removed.

How Long Can Betta Fish Live Without Food

As we referenced earlier, wild betta fish can go for up to about 2 weeks without food. These hardy fish have extremely small stomachs. In fact, a betta’s stomach is about the same size as one of their eyes. This means they do not need much food to survive which helps them be able to sustain for a fairly long time without food. As far as domesticated bettas, they can probably survive without food for as long as their wild relatives, but we don’t think the stress that this would cause your betta is worth it. Stress in bettas can cause a host of other health issues so it is best to avoid stressing out your fish.

Conclusion

How long can betta fish live without food? Betta fish can LIVE for quite some time without food. But is it healthy or kind to starve your fish for 2 weeks? Absolutely, not. If you are heading out of town for the weekend, your betta will be fine, but if it’s longer than a few days, you will want to come up with some alternatives for getting your fish fed so that your pet doesn’t get stressed. If your betta hasn’t eaten for a few days and our tips above haven’t helped, it may be time to call a veterinarian or speak with a professional.