Neon tetras can eat betta food as they aren’t fussy eaters. Betta food can also supplement beon tetras’ diet with plenty of protein. That said, because neon tetras are omnivorous fish, they require plant-based nutrients as well. As a result, betta food can’t provide them with all of the nutrients they require to thrive.
If your bettas are the type to waste food, you can rest assured that your neon tetras will finish off any uneaten food. So, if you happen to have any leftover betta food in your betta aquarium, you can feed it to your neon tetras.
In this article, we’ll go over feeding neon tetras betta food in detail. We’ll also explain the differences between the diets of beon tetras and bettas, as well as how to feed neon tetras betta food, so stick around.
Can Neon Tetras Eat Betta Food?
Neon tetras can feed on betta food without a problem. Because bettas mainly thrive on animal-based food, betta food is high in protein, typically not less than 40%.
Neon tetras also need at least 40% protein in their diet, making betta food a suitable protein source for neon tetras.
Still, just because neon tetras can eat betta food doesn’t mean they can live solely on it. Neon tetras can survive on betta food for a while, but they’ll eventually run out of the nutrients they require to thrive.
So, as long as betta food is given to neon tetras as a supplement rather than a replacement, neon tetras can enjoy betta food without jeopardizing their health.
What Do Neon Tetras Eat?
Because neon tetras are omnivores, their diet should provide them with both animal-based and plant-based nutrients.
In their natural habitat, neon tetras feed on algae for plant-based nutrients. They feed on insect larvae and tiny invertebrates for animal-based nutrients.
This diverse diet provides them with enough protein, fiber, fat, and minerals to thrive. As a result, neon tetras can live around 8–10 years in the wild.
Neon tetras raised in aquariums should eat a diet similar to that of wild neon tetras. So, in aquariums, neon tetras feed on:
- High-quality tropical pellets and flakes
- Frozen or freeze-dried Daphnia, bloodworms, and brine shrimp
- Aquatic plants
- Fruits, such as strawberries and grapes
- Vegetables, such as lettuce and cucumbers
What Do Betta Fish Eat?
In some ways, netta diets are similar to neon tetra diets. After all, they’re both tropical fish that consume animal-based matter.
In the wild, bettas mostly consume insects, insect larvae, small bugs and even small fish. So, they need a protein-rich diet to thrive in an aquarium.
A balanced betta diet consists of fish pellets or flakes, as well as high-protein treats such as live or freeze-dried bloodworms and brine shrimp.
The most significant difference between a neon tetra diet and a netta diet is that nettas rarely consume plant matter for sustenance. They’ll only nibble on plants if they have no other food.
Betta Pellets
High-quality netta pellets, also known as netta granules, are protein-rich and essential for netta growth and health.
They also contain vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that are beneficial to neon tetras. That’s why some people feed their neon tetras betta pellets as a natural dietary supplement.
While betta pellets are nutritious, they shouldn’t be given to neon tetras as their primary source of food. Neon tetras need a varied diet that includes both animal and plant matter.
Betta Flakes
High-quality betta flakes are another good source of nutrition for neon tetras. They contain protein and other nutrients similar to betta pellets.
That said, flakes are less nutritious than pellets. In addition, most neon tetras prefer pellets to flakes.
If given the option, the neon tetras will ignore the flakes in favor of the pellets. So, it’s best to feed them to your neon tetras as a treat or when you first start introducing betta pellets into their diet.
Tips on Feeding Neon Tetras Betta Food
Neon Tetras will almost always eat whatever food they have around. Still, there are some tips to keep in mind while feeding those small fish.
Feeding Neon Tetras and Bettas
There’s no need to take any special feeding precautions if you keep your neon tetras and bettas in the same aquarium. Neither fish is a picky eater, and they’re unlikely to squabble over food.
Betta fish are surface feeders, so when you put food in the tank, they’ll swim to the surface. They’ll remain on the surface until the food is gone or they’re full.
Neon tetras, on the other hand, are typically mid-level feeders. They can, however, eat their way through the tank’s bottom.
That’s why you should make sure the Betta food you give your neon tetras sinks rather than floats.
Size of Betta Food
Keep in mind that some betta food may be too large for the neon tetras’ small mouths. This may make it more difficult for the tetras to swallow the food.
In this case, it’s best to crush or grind the food until it’s no bigger than the mouths of neon tetras.
Plant-Based Nutrients
It’s worth noting that betta food contains a lot of animal-based nutrients for your neon tetras. However, your tetras will eventually require plant-based nutrients to stay healthy.
If you keep algae and plants in your neon tetra aquarium, your fish will nibble on them to get those plant-based nutrients naturally.
If not, some of the vegetables you can provide to your neon tetras include:
- Blanched zucchinis
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Carrots
- Peas
- Potatoes
- Spinach
Just make sure to only provide a small amount at a time so they don’t rot in the tank.
In Conclusion
Because neon tetras can eat almost anything, they’ll happily eat betta food. Betta food can be a good source of protein and improve the overall health of tetras.
That said, neon tetras should only have betta food in moderation. It can’t substitute their regular diet because it doesn’t have all the nutrients that the neon tetras need.
What’s more, neon tetras need to eat a diverse diet to remain healthy and live a long life.
So, it’s best to use betta food as a supplement to your neon tetras’ diet.