My Betta Keeps Eating Algae Wafers

I have had my Betta for a few months now. He's a very curious guy but I think that's starting to cause some problems.
A few days ago I added an otocinclus catfish to the tank because I wanted to add a tank mate and I have a bit of an algae problem.
No problems there, they're not best friends but they tolerate each other just fine. My Betta didn't even chase or charge at the oto once. But when I try to feed the oto I've noticed my Betta gets to it first. Originally I thought he was just pecking at it since he does that with all the little pieces of plant in the tank, but I noticed that he was extremely bloated some time later.
At first I figured he was constipated, stopped feeding the Betta and waited for the bloating to go down. But the second time I put an algae wafer in, I could tell he was actually eating and swallowing.
I'm going to continue not feeding the Betta until he's no longer bloated, and for now I think the oto is fine with the algae in the tank, but I feel bad for it since my Betta is being a bit of a bully without realizing it. Is there some way I can keep the Betta from not eating the algae wafer, or is there something else I can try feeding the oto?

 

Maybe get a breeder net and put the betta in 'time out' until the otto can eat enough?

Or put two wafers in the tank, then take them out once they both eat?

Or just break the wafer into a few pieces. When I had a tangerine lob, I only fed her a quarter wafer each meal. Put two quarters in there.

 

Maybe get a breeder net and put the betta in 'time out' until the otto can eat enough?

Or put two wafers in the tank, then take them out once they both eat?

It might work to put the Betta in time out. The only problem is the oto isn't too keen on eating right away, which is part of the problem of the Betta getting to it first. He's fed in a very specific location, there's a feeding ring in one corner so food can't get away from him.
Would putting the oto in the breeding net until it eats be a better idea? I think the wafers are causing the Betta to be sick, which is why I don't want him to have it. They're the small kind

 

Do you feed the betta before putting the wafer in there? Maybe do that so he isn't hungry for the wafer. It seems like a pain to catch the otto every time you want to feed him.

Bettas are big and easy to catch. Plus, after 10 days of putting them in time out, I feel like they'll start to learn that the wafer isn't theirs hahahaha.

 

Honestly you probably shouldn't have an oto in there in the first place. They need to be in groups of 6 or more and need tanks of 20 gallons or more. If it's just a bit of algae, then either let us help you figure out what's causing it and how to fix it, or just clean it off. Continually putting either fish into a breeder net ever day is just going to stress it out and isn't a good long term solution.

 

Do you feed the betta before putting the wafer in there? Maybe do that so he isn't hungry for the wafer. It seems like a pain to catch the otto every time you want to feed him.

Bettas are big and easy to catch. Plus, after 10 days of putting them in time out, I feel like they'll start to learn that the wafer isn't theirs hahahaha.

The first day I did that, but the oto still didn't get to it's food. And you're right, the Betta would be much easier to catch. I can try getting a breeder net and see how that goes. Hopefully he'll learn.

Honestly you probably shouldn't have an oto in there in the first place. They need to be in groups of 6 or more and need tanks of 20 gallons or more. If it's just a bit of algae, then either let us help you figure out what's causing it and how to fix it, or just clean it off. Continually putting either fish into a breeder net ever day is just going to stress it out and isn't a good long term solution.

I had no idea that otos needed to be in groups. I did research the fish, but that didn't come up at all. The problem is, the store I got it from won't take fish back. Now I'm not sure what to do.

 

I've seen threads like this before, and don't remember anyone coming up with an acceptable answer. Bettas are pigs, and when they figure out something is food just out-peck everybody else for it and eat until they make themselves sick.

I don't know how big your tank is, but Nerite snails are great algae cleaners. I knew mine was always 'lawn mowering' over the glass, but didn't know how effective he was until a couple of days ago when I moved my heater and found a layer of algae I could barely see through- it didn't last long though. He also keeps the gravel, rock, and even plant leaves clean, though he occasionally uproots a plant in doing it.

 

I have a betta in a 10g. I had a pair of mystery snails with him. I fed the snails sinking wafers. It only took a week for the betta to discover the wafers. After a severe session of engorgement where I thought he was going to die, I removed the snails and my betta is alone with nerites now. He wouldn't stop eating their food. The only solution I have is removal.