Greedy betta in community tank help

[Mathfish]

Hey there, I recently added a betta named firecracker to my 10 gallon lightly stocked tank. Just 3 ottos and some shrimp. Unfortunately he developed a taste for repashy. I usually leave the repashy there for 8 hours to let everyone graze. I usually feed soilent green 2x a week. The other days I feed algae wafers. Firecracker also gets his own food 1x a day. On a side note he spends his days zipping around the tank and lurking in plants so exercise isn’t an issue.

Should I be worried about my bettas lack of self control? He seems quite happy in this tank and doesn’t bother any of the other residents. I would hate to move him. I’m just worried he will over eat. 

if this is an issue does anyone have any recommendations? 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Hi @Mathfish, welcome to the forum. Overfeeding can be an issue, but thankfully your Betta is getting some fiber to smooth things out lol. What I would suggest being an Oto keeper is that they tend to eat more at night, so how about putting out the repashy after the lights are off. That'll cut back on some of his binging. 🙂 

[Mathfish]

@xXInkedPhoenixX good point! I always see the ottos out during the day, I forgot the were nocturnal. Honestly a little fiber probably would be such a bad idea. I had a rams horn snail problem, and in 2 days my greedy betta ate all of them. I should probably rename him Onaka.

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

😄 Yep a name change or at least a nickname might be in order. 

[Guppysnail]

You could also spread the repashy on things sticks bamboo skewers and rocks. It does not stop my guppies from making pigs of themselves but at least slows the process. I put in in right before lights out as @xXInkedPhoenixXmentioned in all my tanks the spreading slows them enough most is still left by the time I’m done and the room lights are dark. 

[Bunninose83]

I thought my Betta Blu Ray might help my ramshorn pop. Nope he just runs on them like back scratchers. 🤦‍♀️

[Mathfish]

@xXInkedPhoenixX good call feeding at night. I switched breakfast feeding to dinner and worked like a charm. I checked while lights were off. Betta was sleeping and otos were snacking 🙂 

@Guppysnail that would probably be good for enrichment, eating repashy blocks must get boring. 
Will any bamboo skewers do? I’m a little worried about accidentally introducing chemicals to my tank. I tried spreading on rocks a few weeks ago but the repashy fell off and made a mess 

[Mathfish]

@Bunninose83 I think lucked out with my little piggy. But he only eats the little snails any thing bigger than .25cm he ignores 

[Bunninose83]

On 3/6/2022 at 2:54 PM, Mathfish said:

@Bunninose83 I think lucked out with my little piggy. But he only eats the little snails any thing bigger than .25cm he ignores 

Small game only please!😉

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Mathfish I can tell you from experience that the bamboo stick doesn't work I tried. I think it's because they're too smooth. @Guppysnail's version is super cool but admittedly takes far more dedication than I'm willing to dole out 😃 (sorry friend). I think as long as the Otos are eating at night you're golden. 

[Guppysnail]

On 3/6/2022 at 3:49 PM, Mathfish said:

@xXInkedPhoenixX good call feeding at night. I switched breakfast feeding to dinner and worked like a charm. I checked while lights were off. Betta was sleeping and otos were snacking 🙂 

@Guppysnail that would probably be good for enrichment, eating repashy blocks must get boring. 
Will any bamboo skewers do? I’m a little worried about accidentally introducing chemicals to my tank. I tried spreading on rocks a few weeks ago but the repashy fell off and made a mess 

These are what I use broken in half

[Mathfish]

Mini update: I think it’s a territorial thing. He has taken over my rock cave centerpiece. I usually feed on a flat part right outside his “house” . He goes for any and all food in that spot. 
I started feeding the bottom feeders in a glass dish 10” down the road and he hasn’t touched it.