There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to feed your betta’s tank mates, but every time they get close to an algae wafer, he scares them off and takes bites out of it himself. In this article, you’ll find out why it’s happening and more importantly, what you can do about it!
So keep reading to find out everything you want to know!
Why Is Your Betta Eating The Algae Wafers?
There are a couple of reasons that your betta could be eating algae wafers in the tank. And figuring out why they’re eating them could help you stop it from happening again in the future!
Here are all the different reasons that your betta might be eating algae wafers.
The Main Ingredient Is Fish Meal
If the main ingredient of the algae wafers you are using is fish meal, then your betta is going to be able to smell it. And, of course, if your betta can smell eat, then he’s going to instinctively want to eat it.
You’re Not Feeding Him Enough
Another reason your betta may start trying to eat algae wafers is if he’s not getting enough food. If this is the case, as well as eating algae wafers, you may also notice that he’s eating plants in the tank, and in some cases, he’s even trying to eat the shrimp and snails!
However, this could also simply be due to an aggressive nature.
He’s Just Gutty
And, of course, your betta may just be eating the algae wafers because he’s being greedy. Bettas are known for being greedy fish, so if you notice that he’s eating all the algae wafers in the tank, then this could be the reason as well!
He Doesn’t Want Other Tank Mates To Get It
If your betta sees other fish-eating, Then he may get defensive and territorial and want to eat the algae wafers himself. Fortunately, while you’re not going to be able to change your betta’s personality, there are ways around this!
Are Algae Wafers Bad For Your Betta?
While a small amount of algae wafers shouldn’t be harmful to your betta, eating too many can cause problems such as constipation and swim bladder disease, and if left untreated, these illnesses can eventually become much worse.
How To Stop Your Betta Eating Algae Wafers
The good news is that if your betta is eating their tank mates’ algae wafers, there are plenty of things you can do to stop it from happening.
Feed Your Betta At The Same Time
One of the easiest ways to stop your betta from eating algae wafers is to feed them at the same time you’re feeding their tank mates. To do this, drop the algae wafers on one side of the tank and then feed your betta pellets on the other side of the tank.
This way, you’ll give their tank mates plenty of time to eat the food.
Separate Your Betta
Another technique is to separate your betta from their tank mates while the algae wafers are being eaten.
To do this, you’ll just need to catch them in a net and keep them there until their tank mates have eaten the food. Once the tank mates have eaten, your betta can go back to swimming around freely!
Use An Algae Wafer With Less Fish Meal
If possible, try to look in your local shop for algae wafers that don’t contain fish meals. This way, it’s a lot less likely that your betta will decide they want to eat them! Tetra Algae Wafers are a great choice.
Make Sure You’re Feeding Him Enough
You should also make sure that you’re feeding your betta enough as well. Obviously, if you’re not feeding him enough, then he’s going to want to eat everything in the tank. As a rule of thumb, you should feed them 1 to 2 pellets twice a day and fast them once every couple of weeks.
Wait For Him To Sleep
Another great way to stop your betta from eating the algae wafers is to feed his tank mates once he’s gone to sleep. You normally just need to turn the lights off and wait 30 minutes. Then drop a wafer in or place it near the bottom of the tank, where your bottom feeders will come across it and eat it!
Grind Them Up
Lastly, you can also try grinding them up and putting them in a turkey baster with some of your tank’s water in. Once you’ve done this, dispense the water inside to the very bottom of the tank! This way, it will be too small for your betta to eat, but their tank mates will still be able to find it and eat it!
What To Do If Your Betta Has Eaten Too Many Algae Wafers
If your betta has eaten too many algae wafers, then one of the best things you can do is fast them for a few days to allow all of the algae to pass through. Bettas are carnivores, so any sort of plant-based food can often increase their chance of constipation and other digestive issues.
If you notice that they have digestive issues, then you can also feed them daphnia, which is extremely high in fiber and easy for your betta to digest. Both of these things can help your betta’s digestive tract and get them back to normal!
And you’ll be able to notice that your betta has eaten too many algae wafers if they have the following symptoms:
- Bloating
- Trouble Swimming
- Constipation
- Swim Bladder Disease
Recap
Fortunately, if you’ve noticed that your betta has been eating algae wafers, there are a few different ways to put a stop to it! And if you’ve noticed it affects them negatively, there are also a few different ways to get them feeling good in no time!
If you liked this article, make sure you check out the rest of the website! Otherwise, have a great day!