feeding bettas freeze dried food

[goldminer]

Considering the ingredient list of Northfin Betta bits for a moment - Kelp, Whole Antarctic Krill Meal, High Omega-3 (DHA) Herring Meal, Whole Sardine Meal, Wheat Flour, Spirulina, Garlic, Astaxanthin (Haematococcus Algae), Calcium Montmorillonite Clay, Vitamin A Acetate, L-Ascorby-2-Polyphospate (Source of Vitamin C), D-Activated Animal-Sterol (D3), DL Alphatocopherol (E), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Choline Chloride, Cobalt Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Selenium, Zinc, Rosemary Extract.

This makes me wonder, have Bettas - a freshwater fish from Asia - really evolved to require Antarctic Krill or rosemary extract in their diet? I highly doubt it. The same goes for Goji berry juice, which I came across in a product recently.

[boomer]

To get the most out of freeze-dried foods, pre-soaking them is key. Try soaking the food in a spoonful of tank water for about 15 minutes before feeding - it makes a big difference.

The value in fish food lies in its composition, not its origin. If a particular substance benefits the fish, its source is irrelevant. Humans often take supplements to fill nutritional gaps, regardless of where those supplements come from. It's all about getting the necessary nutrients, even if they're not naturally found in the fish's preferred food.

[goldminer]

I see what you're saying about humans taking supplements, but let's be realistic here. Science has shown that in most cases, these supplements just end up being a costly waste. You can't just pop a vitamin and expect it to work; you need to know what you're deficient in first, and that requires actual medical testing. Otherwise, buying over-the-counter vitamins is just a pointless expense.

[benthos]

Freeze-dried foods are a no-go for me. The main issue I have is they absorb a lot of water, and inside the fish, this can cause bloating and other serious problems. Flake foods don't have this issue to the same extent, although some people argue pellets are even better in this regard. I've been using a combination of two flake foods and one pellet for years, rotating them to keep things interesting.

I do use frozen foods, but only as treats. They're just not as nutritious as high-quality flake and pellet foods. I give my fish frozen daphnia and bloodworms once a week, usually a couple of hours after water changes. The rest of the week, they get the flake and pellet foods, with one fasting day.

In my opinion, good-quality flake foods like Omega One and New Life Spectrum are the way to go. They're made from whole fish and other wholesome ingredients, with no fillers or additives. These foods are the best choice for most of our fish, and I've seen great results with them.

Reading the abstract of a review paper is like flipping through a book's introduction – it barely scratches the surface. I'd rather you delve deeper into the research, analyze the findings, and then make an informed decision.

Blindly following the advice of renowned experts like brentoe Monks and Jack Wattley is not the solution. There's value in questioning established opinions and seeking knowledge beyond what's already been said. Take advice, yes, but don't be afraid to challenge it – that's how we truly learn and grow.

[duskmist]

I've thoroughly enjoyed this conversation about nutrition, freeze-dried foods, pellets, and flakes. It's been incredibly informative and I feel like I've gained a lot of knowledge just by following along. Thanks to everyone for sharing their insights and experiences.