Betta eating algae wafers

[DaveinSF]

I have a feeding problem that I thought I would never have: my Betta is scavenging the fragments of algae wafers that I am sending to the bottom for my ottos.

I've even tried putting the pellets in at night when the Betta is less active and sleeping. Problem is, most of it is still there the next morning and he is clearly munching on it and keeping the ottos away.

What should I do? I haven't had much feeding success with blanched zucchini or the like. It just starts to grow hair and goes largely untouched. That betta-- that fat little ******* is growing fat on the algae wafers and he even forgoes floating Betta Bio gold pellets in favor of the stuff!

 

[wataugachicken]

maybe get a tank divider and use it at feeding time so the ottos have more of a chance? they'll probably learn to go for the food as soon as you put it in once they realize the betta can't get to it.

 

[PumaWard]

I would suspect that if your otos were too hungry, they would eat all the algae wafers at night. I would continue to feed wafers at night, even less than you have been ( because the otos would eat them all if they were hungry) and not worry if your betta eats a little bit of them.

 

[FisheyLisa]

my betta does this. It isn't left overs either, he is in the pile of cories and loaches. then a frog comes along and jumps in the heap, it's rockin!

I don't feel the waffers hurt the betta. mine eats EVERYTHING that comes in the tank, and spits 1% back. He'd eat the betta balls and waffers at the same time if they fit into his mouth. Point is, the waffers don't harm them and feed a variety, so you know he is getting protein. There are different worms that my catfish eat that the betta also eats. I don't know your other fishes requirements though, sorry. You probably want to feed less because there shouldn't be stuff left from feedings, but don't worry about the betta.

 

[Emg]

Yeah, I've had bettas eat up algae wafers....the little pigs....but, if you have live plants and driftwood in your tank, the otos should be fine on that. I don't worry about my otos at all and they have been thriving in my 29 planted with no help from me whatsoever.

 

[chunkoblue]

Yep, I just dropped an algae wafer in for the first time... Meant to feed the cories, but Butthead the Betta started chompin' away at it! He truly is king of the tank.

 

[echoofformless]

I have never seen otos eat algae wafers.

I have seen bettas stuff themselves silly on them.

 

[NinjaPirate]

Get an algae wafer that is primarily algae and not primarily fish meal.

My ottos don't care for algae wafers unless they have a high algae content (wardleys is a good one).

My bettas generally only eat the algae wafers that list fish meal as the primary ingrediant.

Worth a shot anyway.

 

[echoofformless]

Good ppint - I use Omega One. The first ingredient is spirulina. That is why I bought those over any others.

The SAEs go crazy on them. The otos just never ever seem to notice.

 

[Ulan]

My otos eat algae wafers, the Wardley ones and the Omega One Veggie Rounds, and they prefer the Veggie Rounds if they have the choice. They will eat normal algae or zucchini first, though. The Wardley ones are the favorites of my cories and two of the tetras.