How To Get Betta To Stop Eating Shrimp Pellets?

HI all, so, I got Peony yesterday (Yes, I named her peony. ) And I also got ghost shrimp, they get along perfectly fine, but every time I try to feed the shrimp their pellets, Peony swoops in and grabs it and then carries it around like a trophy for about three to five minutes. Then eventually she looses it in a plant or something, and one of my shrimp FINALLY find it. It’s quiet annoying. Does anyone know a way to stop this? I don’t think it’s a good idea to feed her every time I want to feed the shrimp.. It might not be possible, but if anyone has any suggestions they are greatly appreciated.

 

Feed both the shrimp and betta at the same time; use two hands. First, distract her by hovering your hand with food on one end of the tank, while sinking the shrimp pellets on the other.

 

Should I actually feed her or just ‘tease’ her? Also, she stole the pellet that the biggest shrimp in my tank had, and now whenever the shrimp see her they all back up. :/ I had to push another pellet VERY close to a shrimp in order to get one to eat it. And she’s looking through the sand now. Every time she sees a small pebble she trys to eat it.. I think I’ll try your idea though next time I feed them though!

 

Yes, feed her. But if she still steals the shrimp pellets, and thus overeats, then I’d consider moving her or the shrimp to another tank. Overfeeding is a underrated problem.

 

Hm. Well, I don’t really have another tank at the moment, and I think overfeeding might become an issue... but I’m planning on moving her into a ten gallon in the middle of July... if it still happens then I’ll move the shrimp into my current tank.