4 Reasons Why Betta Fish Spits Food Out (+ How To Fix)

Betta fishes are one of the most popular choices among aquarists. The main reason is their breathtaking looks, their majestic swims, and obviously, the sense of relaxation one gets watching them swim.

Perhaps you might want to look into some of the difficulties that come with being a fish parent to a Betta. A Betta fish spitting out bubbles or food is one such problem.

Generally, the most common reason behind a Betta fish spitting out their food is because they’ve simply eaten too much. When it comes to food, Betta fish have a reputation for being greedy. However, other reasons may include large portion size, parasite infection, or a constipated Betta fish.

If your Betta fish also spits out pellets, and you want to know the solution, you have come to the right place. Below, you will find some common queries and some plausible explanations for this behavior.

So, buckle up and get ready.

Reasons Why Betta Fish Vomits

When it comes to food, betta fish seems to be the greediest. They eat more food then they can possibly digest. Understandably, you would be anxious if your Betta were spitting out his food. However, in many cases, this is not a cause for concern.

why does my betta fish spit out bubbles

We have compiled a list of all the possible reasons behind your Betta fish puking. Here they are:

1. You Are Serving Large Portion Sizes

This is most common reasons behind the Betta fish spitting out food. The size of the stomach of your Betta fish is as small as its eye. Obviously, this means they cannot digest a lot of food.

Being greedy, they will try to gulp every pellet and end up overeating. However, food will quickly swell up in their mouth and they can feel that it is impossible for them to push it down. And this is when bettas choose to spit out food.

Moreover, some food pellets might be larger than the size of their stomach, so spitting it out is certainly the best thing for them.  

If you want to avoid such situations, make sure you give small portions of food and carefully selected food pellets to your Betta fish.

2. Your Betta Fish Has Digestive Problems

Fishes can also have digestive issues, and the Betta is not spared as well.

Food spitting is very common, and the most common digestive issue that causes this is constipation. If the Betta fish has been suffering from constipation, it cannot eat any more food. It might try to eat but due to being constipated it may end up vomitting.

Now, how do you figure out if your Betta is constipated? One way is to keep track of its defecation schedules.

Some symptoms of constipation include a swollen body, scales sticking out, and a bloated belly. The initial stages of constipation should not worry you, but you should take some action if it continues for days. 

3. You Have A Young Betta

If you bought a Betta fish recently, it might be too young. Young Betta fish don’t have robust digestive systems. If you feed them pellets and flakes, there’s a good probability they’re not used to digesting this type of food.

What you can feed an adult Betta might not be a good option for a young one.

For easy digestion, young Bettas should only be fed light food.

Try experimenting with different food brands. Once you find an acceptable variety, you can gradually expand your horizons by experimenting with other pellets and flakes.

4. There May Be Parasites Living in Your Betta’s Stomach

Although it’s uncommon, Bettas might get parasites in their gut. These parasites can prevent your Betta from eating properly. Even when the Betta is hungry, it might not be able to swallow food and will instead vomit it out.

If you think your fish has an infected stomach, keep it in a separate tank so it doesn’t transfer the infection to other fish. Another sign of parasite infection is difficulty swimming. In this circumstance, it’s best to call a veterinarian to ensure that the matter is handled properly and that the Betta is dewormed. You can also use products like Imagitarium Parasite Remedy to get rid of the parasites.

When Is Betta Fish Throwing Up A Serious Cause of Concern?

If your Betta fish starts spitting up food, it’s usually nothing to be concerned about. It is most likely because the food is too large for the fish.

Bettas are beautiful fish, but sometimes their beautiful colors disguise signs of sickness. If you notice your Betta has not been eating well, is staying in one spot for too long, or has clamped fins it could be an indication of a parasite infection or constipation.

What Should I Do if My Betta Fish Throws Up?

You now know why your Betta fish is throwing up food, so you must be wondering what you can do to help it. Here’s a quick list:

  • Pre-soaking the dry food and bloodworms will help the Betta easily digest food.
  • Ask the store owner if the Betta is young before buying. If it is, then adjust its food according to its diet.
  • In case it has parasites, consult the doctor and get some medicines for its treatment.

Wrapping Up

All fishes need care. Likewise, Betta fishes need proper care and treatment.

If your Betta fish is having any problems, try to deal with it quickly. All the problems in our list are treatable. Select the right size and type of food, keep track of their activities, and clean the tank properly.

If your fish doesn’t eat food for more than 10 minutes, remove the food. If you leave it to decay, it will turn into toxic nitrates that can disturb your Betta’s home.

Further Reading

https://pethelpful.com/fish-aquariums/diseases-of-a-Betta-fish

https://pets.webmd.com/what-do-betta-fish-eat#1