Greedy Betta/hungy Catfish- How To Feed Bottom Feeders?

[Desdemona]

I am not an expert.. so take my suggestion with a "grain of salt" but you might be able to get one of those in the tank fish "houses" and put your betta in there temporarily while the catfish eat. If you feed him in there he might associate it with a positive place verse negative. It might stress him out though so you would have to be cautious of that.

But, might be an idea. This way he is not able to get to the food, but you are not removing him from his water and causing water changing stress.

 

[finmama]

I agree, I would get a floating breeder box and feed him in there. Hiding the food could work, but I'd be afraid he might injure himself trying to get to it.

 

[Wandering]

What about putting the catfish food in a tube so the betta can't get to it? Maybe the large end of a small syphon tube on its side (its clear so you can see them). If you leave the tube attached you could maybe drop the food down it. Or use plumbing pipes with bends to keep the betta out.

 

[onidrase]

My catfish are slow to the Chase too (they're Raphael cats though, not mini moths) my greedy cichlids will eat everything from algae wafers to frozen peas. How I get the food to them (catfish, especially doradidae are nocturnal, remember) is to turn the light off a good time before you go to sleep, and Chuck in the catfish food when all the other fish are resting, before you go to sleep yourself. I wouldn't block the fish with your hand or anything though, thats just a good way to scare the catfish away from the food.

 

[Wandering]

My catfish are slow to the Chase too (they're Raphael cats though, not mini moths) my greedy cichlids will eat everything from algae wafers to frozen peas. How I get the food to them (catfish, especially doradidae are nocturnal, remember) is to turn the light off a good time before you go to sleep, and Chuck in the catfish food when all the other fish are resting, before you go to sleep yourself. I wouldn't block the fish with your hand or anything though, thats just a good way to scare the catfish away from the food.

good point! I have 4 young raphaels currently sharing a tank with some growing on angels. Have you ever seen a dozen hungry 2-3" angels feeding! I put extra sinking food in for the raphaels after lights out twice a week. It works a treat; the raphaels are usually fat for a day or two afterwards.

 

[sona98765]

You could turn off the lights at night and feed the catfish then, since your betta will be asleep, they can get the food
They are nocturnal right?