Can Turtles Eat Betta Fish Food? (Safe?)

Ever caught your turtle eyeing your betta’s dinner and wondered, “Can my shelled buddy munch on betta food without turning into a culinary disaster?” Can turtles really eat betta fish food?

As an occasional treat, Turtles can eat betta fish food. It shouldn’t be treated as regular food because turtles need 39.0% to 46.5%  protein, whereas most Betta fish food has 25% to 30% crude protein on average. So betta fish food can’t provide adequate protein and vitamins.

Now you must be thinking why fish food isn’t enough for turtles? What foods are good for turtles?  Right?  Don’t worry! In this article, you’ll get all the answers to your queries.  Let’s dive in! 

Can Turtles Eat Betta Fish Food? 

Turtles can eat betta fish food but not as the main food. I occasionally feed my turtles with betta fish food when I have no other choices. But I try my best to avoid fish food as much as possible.

Because the nutrition plans of betta fish and turtles are different. According to Petmd, fish pellets contain only 25% of the nutrition for turtles.

So these fish foods can’t provide sufficient nutrition to the turtles because they require more meat, fruit, and vegetables. However, fish food isn’t harmful to turtles but not good for them either.

Is It Safe To Feed Turtles Betta Fish Food Every Day?

It’s not safe to feed turtles betta fish food regularly and that’s why I avoid it. This fish food is full of fish oil, vitamins, and carbohydrates. Moreover, it can be a good seasonal food for turtles.

 Feeding these foods daily can make them weak as they don’t get all the nutrition according to their requirements. You can use this as an occasional treat or substitute food with their basic diet plan. 

How Often Can Turtles Eat Betta Fish Food? 

You can give them fish food twice a week with their regular meal. Make sure they are eating sufficient protein and vitamins. Also, give them betta fish food with more salmon oil, and rice bran. 

It won’t be a good idea to feed turtles these food supplements more than two times a week because it causes weakness and lack of energy sometimes. According to the vets, you should avoid giving betta fish food to turtles frequently. 

can turtles eat fish food?

Turtles can eat fish food, but it should not be the primary component of their diet.

Turtles are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. The specific dietary requirements vary depending on the species of turtle.

For example, aquatic turtles like red-eared sliders might enjoy fish food as part of their diet, but it shouldn’t replace a diet formulated specifically for them, which includes a variety of proteins, vegetables, and supplements to meet their nutritional needs.

Fish food, typically high in protein and designed for fish, may not provide all the necessary nutrients turtles require.

It’s important to feed turtles a balanced diet that might include commercial turtle pellets, leafy greens, and, depending on the species, occasional treats like small fish or insects.

Always ensure the diet is appropriate for the specific type of turtle you have, considering their natural habitat and nutritional requirements.

Why Do Turtles Eat Fish Food?

When the turtles are hungry and not getting enough food source, they can eat any food source that is present in the aquarium. Mostly fish foods are available there. 

As they don’t understand the difference, they eat fish food even though it’s not convenient for them sometimes. If you feed the turtles properly and fill up their regular dietary needs, they’ll stop eating fish food constantly.

In addition to that, their craving for carnivorous food can be the reason they eat fish pellets sometimes. Not only for the aquatic turtles, fish food can be a great supplement for baby turtles as well. 

Are Fish Pellets Good For Turtles?

Though it won’t give them enough protein or proper nutrition, it’s also not even dangerous for them. Suppose it’s taking more time to prepare the turtle food. Meanwhile, their feeding time is running out, so you can feed them fish pellets. 

Turtles can eat some fish pellets once a week if needed. You should avoid feeding them fish pellets often because it can mess up their daily nutrition program. 

Betta fish food lacks enough animal protein. It contains fish oils and omega vitamins that are not suitable for turtles. Turtles require more dead insects, worms, and green vegetables than betta fish.

If you’re giving them fish pellets, make sure you feed a small amount. Keep your eye on your aquarium, fill it up with the turtle pellets whenever it’s empty. 

What Fish Foods Turtles Can Eat?

You already know fish pellets are good for turtles in small amounts. But are all fish foods good for turtles?  They can eat all fish food specialized for betta, goldfish, cichlids, and the ones with 30% to 50% protein.

Because if turtles don’t get enough protein source, it’ll be a waste to feed them fish food. So protein is the biggest part of their diet plan. Ensure it when you feed them fish pellets.

Can Turtles Eat Cichlid Pellets?

Turtles can eat cichlid pellets as they eat other fish foods. Furthermore, you can feed them cichlid sticks often. It won’t make them ill but if they consume them in a large portion that can jumble up their diet. This food contains fat that can cause obesity in turtles.

Cichlid pellets have insect food sources for turtles but a lack of plant-based nutrition can make them ill. Because every nutrition is necessary for turtles.  

Can Turtles Eat Goldfish Food?

Goldfish food is similar to other ones. Most goldfish food includes high protein and carbohydrates with low amounts of fat and minerals. 

You can align goldfish food with animal-based live food, insects, fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, it’s full of vitamins, fish oil, and a great nutrition formula. Unlike cichlid fish food, it comes up with vegetable food sources besides animal-based proteins. 

What Is The Ideal Food Chart For Turtles? 

You should set up the food chart for the turtle after consulting an experienced vet. A good nutrition plan is essential for mature turtles, and also important for baby turtles. 

If they lack vitamins, protein, and carbs, they can be sick over time. Turtle’s food chart depends on size, age, and weight. So while making their food chart, always keep these data in your mind. 

After analyzing different diet plans for my turtles, I’ve got the perfect one that fits their dietary needs and is suggested by the vet. You can mix and match them according to the turtle’s needs and here is the ideal food chart for turtles: 

Food type	Quantity	Feeding time	Benefits
Commercial turtle pellets	Depend on their size	Daily	Ensures balanced nutrition with vitamins and minerals.
Vegetables	Bite-sized portions	Daily	Provides essential dietary fibers
Aquatic plants	As little as possible	Twice in a week	Includes natural rich food source
Fruits	Small portion	Three times a month	For boosting their taste bud
Protein	At least 60%	5 times a week	Promotes growth and better health
Calcium supplements	Depends on age	According to the vet’s recommendations	Good for shell health
Fish food	A small amount of morsels	Twice a week aligned with their live food, fruits, and vegetables.	Works better as an occasional treat

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can betta fish live with turtles?

If you choose calm turtle species and train them not to harm bettas, then you can keep them together. Also, use large tanks, a good filtration system, and arrange hiding space for betta fish. Otherwise, avoid doing it because turtles can eat betta fish. Click here for more details.

Can turtles eat bread? 

Bread isn’t good for turtles because they are processed food that you should avoid for your turtles. Though you can offer them a little bit, it won’t mean anything to them even if they have it. 

Can Betta Fish Eat Turtle Food?

Betta fish can eat turtle food without replacing their fish food.  It can be a good occasional treat for them. But overfeeding turtle food to betta fish can make them sick and lethargic.  

Do Turtles Eat Fish Food In Ponds? 

Turtles eat fish food in ponds when they feel extremely hungry, running out of their food source. But they like eating fish more than fish food. So they eat whatever food sources they get under the water.

Before You Go…

With the experience of raising my turtles, I’ve tried to ensure their better health and perfect diet plan. But do you know what human foods or vegetables are good for turtles? If not, then have a look at my previous articles related to these topics. 

What Vegetables Can Box Turtles Eat?

What Human Foods Can Turtles Eat?