loach eating betta food

[joitoy]

My dojo loach is such a funny guy.

I've had him for nearly two weeks now I think, and he eats from the bottom like most loaches. I feed them shrimp pieces recently which he loves, and he has fattened up and (maybe my eyes are deceiving me, but seems to have GROWN an inch) since I bought him.

His favorite food is Wardley's Essential Betta food. He'll come to the surface where the danio are eating to get a pellet. The betta food was something I bought for my betta, but they were too big for his mouth, so not to waste it, I gave it to the other fish who LOVE it and cant get enough of it. Their behavior is significantly different than when I feed flakes, and about as enthusiastic as it is when I drop in salad shrimp bits. Like ravenous little sharks. Is it okay to feed them this? I've read somewhere it's sort of iffy to give specialized food to other fish. but their coloring has never been brighter than when I began doing it. the danios fins became deep orange and their gold stripes so pretty. My loach was skinny and emaciated now he has a figure.

[loachmom]

Hi,
I also have a small can of Tetra BettaMin left over from my daughter's betta, who, unfortunately, lived a very short life. Since it is still fresh, I have been offering it occassionally to all my fish for about 4 weeks now. They all like it, loaches included, and all seem to be very healthy.

[Emma Turner]

As long as you are feeding it as part of a good mixed and balanced diet, I can't see any problems with this. We don't have this product over here, so I googled it and it said that it sinks faster than most other Betta foods, so it is going to be much more suitable than other floating foods (which are not so good in quantity for bottom-dwelling fish). Just make sure you give the loaches other foods such as mosquito larvae, brineshrimp, catfish pellets etc etc.

Emma

[joitoy]

I'm having a heck of a time finding brine shrimp since I have numerous fish that would enjoy them.

But I do feed a variety of different foods. He is fond of sinking algae wafers, spinach, and salad shrimp. I haven't seen any catfish pellets yet but when I do I will be getting them.

I love feeding them, he acts hilariously funny when there's food in the tank, it really brightens my day. I'm sorely tempted to move my computer desk to the living room wall so I can watch them all the time.

[loachmom]

Hi joitoy,

I have been feeding TetraMin Tropical Tablets to my fish for some time now. They are especially made for bottom feeders. I have only been able to find them at my lfs, not at Walmart. They are kind of expensive--$10 for a 3.81 oz. can. I break them in pieces when I feed, and they go a long way.