Repashy SuperFoods Bottom Scratcher — Invertivore Gel Premix

Repashy SuperFoods Bottom Scratcher — Invertivore Gel PremixRepashy Bottom Scratcher is one of the most carefully formulated specialised foods available for invertivorous aquatic species a meal replacement gel premix designed specifically for fish and invertebrates that naturally feed on aquatic invertebrates in the wild. Where most commercial fish foods rely on fish meal as their primary protein source, Bottom Scratcher takes a fundamentally different approach: all proteins and fats come exclusively from

Repashy Bottom Scratcher is one of the most carefully-formulated specialised foods available for invertivorous aquatic species — a meal replacement gel premix designed specifically for fish and invertebrates that naturally feed on aquatic invertebrates in the wild. Where most commercial fish foods rely on fish meal as their primary protein source, Bottom Scratcher takes a fundamentally different approach: all proteins and fats come exclusively from invertebrate sources, with no fish meal whatsoever. The result is a clean, nutrient-dense formula that genuinely matches what invertivorous species eat naturally — krill, insects, mussels, and squid rather than processed fish trimmings.

What makes Bottom Scratcher particularly worth seeking out is the combination: an authentic invertivore profile (45% protein, 10% fat) paired with the gel-forming versatility that lets you customise feeding format. Mix the powder with boiling water and you have soft gel for immediate feeding; dry the resulting gel and you have slow-release jerky that holds together on the substrate while bottom-dwellers graze naturally. This dual format flexibility, combined with the carefully-selected ingredient list, has made Bottom Scratcher a hobbyist favourite among serious aquarists keeping corydoras, plecos, loaches, freshwater puffers, dwarf crayfish, and caridina/neocaridina shrimp.

For PostPods customers, Bottom Scratcher fits naturally alongside Repashy's terrestrial range (Bug Burger, Morning Wood, Soilent Green) as the specialist option for keepers who also maintain aquatic invertebrate setups — particularly relevant for dart frog enthusiasts running combined terrestrial/aquatic bioactive systems, axolotl keepers, and shrimp breeders.

What Is Bottom Scratcher?

Bottom Scratcher is an "invertivore gel premix" — a precise category that deserves explanation:

Invertivorous species are fish and invertebrates whose natural diet consists primarily of aquatic invertebrates: small crustaceans, insect larvae, worms, molluscs, and similar organisms. Many popular freshwater aquarium species fall into this category — corydoras catfish, kuhli loaches, weather loaches, dwarf crayfish, bumblebee catfish, freshwater puffer fish, and shrimp species. In the wild, these animals don't eat fish meal-based commercial foods; they eat insects, snails, small shrimp, and aquatic invertebrate larvae.

The "gel premix" format means you receive Bottom Scratcher as a fine powder that you reconstitute with boiling water before feeding. This isn't a flaw — it's a feature. Pre-made gel foods spoil quickly in transit and storage. Powder-form premixes have dramatically longer shelf life and let you make exactly as much gel as you need at any given time, ensuring maximum freshness for every feeding.

The invertivore-only formulation is genuinely distinctive. The four largest protein components are Krill Meal, Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal, Mussel Meal, and Squid Meal — followed by a further 40 supporting ingredients including dried brewer's yeast, seaweed, kelp, watermelon, rose hips, hibiscus flower, calendula flower, marigold flower, paprika, turmeric, stinging nettle, garlic, and comprehensive vitamin and mineral additions. No fish meal anywhere in the formula.

Nutritional Profile

• Protein: 45% — high-protein formulation matching invertivore dietary needs
• Fat: 10% — appropriate for active invertivorous species
• Fibre: 12% — supports digestive health
• Primary protein sources: Krill Meal, Insect (Black Soldier Fly Larvae) Meal, Mussel Meal, Squid Meal
• Supporting ingredients: Dried Brewer's Yeast, Dried Seaweed Meal, Lecithin, Dried Kelp, Locust Bean Gum, Taurine, plus 30+ botanical and vitamin additions
• Free from: Fish meal, artificial colours, unnecessary fillers

What Animals Benefit Most from Bottom Scratcher?

Bottom Scratcher is designed for specific invertivorous species. It's particularly well-suited to:

Bottom-dwelling catfish. Corydoras, plecos (particularly omnivorous and carnivorous species), pictus catfish, bumblebee catfish, and similar bottom-feeders thrive on Bottom Scratcher. These fish forage at the substrate level in nature, eating insect larvae and small invertebrates. The gel holds together on the substrate while they graze, mimicking their natural feeding behaviour.

Loaches. Kuhli loaches, clown loaches, weather loaches, and dojo loaches all have invertivorous dietary leanings. Bottom Scratcher's slow-sinking gel matches their feeding patterns and provides nutrition that fish meal-based foods can't match.

Freshwater shrimp. Caridina shrimp (CRS, CBS, Tiger varieties) and Neocaridina shrimp (cherry, blue dream, yellow, etc.) accept Bottom Scratcher readily. The slow-sinking gel format means shrimp can graze at their own pace without competing aggressively with tankmates. The invertebrate-based protein profile suits shrimp dietary needs perfectly.

Dwarf crayfish. Mexican dwarf crayfish and similar small crayfish species thrive on Bottom Scratcher. The substantial protein content supports moulting and growth, while the gel format prevents the rapid water fouling that pellet foods can cause.

Freshwater puffer fish. Many freshwater puffer species (pea puffers, figure 8 puffers, etc.) have specialised invertivore diets that struggle with fish-meal-based foods. Bottom Scratcher provides appropriate nutrition without compromising on protein quality.

Axolotls. Mexican axolotls have invertivorous dietary preferences similar to their fish counterparts. Bottom Scratcher can supplement their primary diet, though axolotls typically need additional whole-prey items for complete nutrition.

Aquarium gobies. Bumblebee gobies, knight gobies, and similar small predatory gobies appreciate Bottom Scratcher's small particle size and invertebrate-based protein.

Why Choose Bottom Scratcher Over Fish-Meal-Based Foods?

The decision to feed Bottom Scratcher versus standard fish meal-based foods comes down to matching the natural diet of invertivorous species:

Authenticity matches nutrition. Wild corydoras don't eat other fish. They eat insect larvae, small worms, and aquatic invertebrates. Fish meal-based foods don't replicate this nutritional profile, which is fine for omnivorous species but suboptimal for genuine invertivores. Bottom Scratcher provides the protein profile these species actually evolved to eat.

Better health outcomes for sensitive species. Many keepers report better long-term health, improved colouration, and more natural behaviour in invertivorous species fed appropriate invertebrate-based diets. While fish meal foods will keep animals alive, they may not optimise welfare and breeding success.

No fish meal means no fishy odour. Gel foods made from fish meal can produce strong odours, particularly during preparation. Bottom Scratcher's invertebrate-based formulation is notably less odorous, making it more pleasant to prepare and feed.

Ideal for specialist breeders. Caridina shrimp breeders, dwarf crayfish keepers, and serious corydoras breeders consistently report better breeding outcomes when feeding appropriate species-specific diets. Bottom Scratcher is part of that specialist approach.

How to Prepare Bottom Scratcher

Bottom Scratcher is straightforward to prepare. You'll need: the powder, boiling water, a heatproof bowl, and either a mould/container for setting or a flat dish for sheet preparation.

As Gel (Standard Preparation)

1. Bring water to a rolling boil (kettle, stove, or microwave all work)
2. Pour boiling water into a heatproof bowl
3. Immediately add powder at a ratio of 1 part powder to 2–3 parts boiling water
4. Stir vigorously until smooth and fully combined (no powder lumps remaining)
5. Pour into a mould, container, or flat dish
6. Allow to cool and set at room temperature — typically 10–20 minutes
7. Once firm, cut into appropriate-sized pieces for your feeders, or shred for shrimp

As Jerky (Slow-Release Format)

1. Prepare gel as above
2. Pour into a deep container or onto a flat dish
3. Once cool and set, cut into ¼ inch (6mm) thick slices of desired size
4. Completely dry in oven or dehydrator at 65°C (150°F) until firm and dry
5. Store in airtight container at room temperature

The jerky format is particularly useful for keeping food available longer in shrimp tanks — the dried slices break down slowly over hours, allowing shrimp to graze continuously rather than competing for a brief feeding window.

Storage and Shelf Life

• Unopened powder: Store in original sealed packaging at room temperature. Long shelf life — check expiry date on packaging.
• Opened powder: Seal the bag tightly and store in a cool, dry place. Use within 12 months for optimal freshness.
• Prepared gel: Treat as fresh food. Seal in container and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Freeze for up to 6 months for longer storage.
• Prepared jerky: Store in airtight container at room temperature for several months once fully dried.

Size Variants — Which Should You Buy?

Bottom Scratcher is available in three sizes:

• 85g (3oz): Trial size — perfect for trying Bottom Scratcher before committing to larger quantities. Makes approximately 250–340g of gel after preparation. Suitable for small aquariums or testing acceptance with picky feeders.
• 170g (6oz): Standard size — the mid-range option that suits most regular feeders. Makes approximately 500–680g of gel. Reasonable balance of cost and supply for most aquariums maintaining 3–6 month feeding regimens.
• 340g (12oz): Value size — bulk option for serious breeders, multi-tank setups, or large aquarium maintenance. Makes approximately 1–1.4kg of gel. Most cost-effective per gram for keepers who feed Bottom Scratcher regularly.

The powder-to-gel ratio means each gram of dry product produces 3–4 grams of finished gel — significantly more feeding volume than the powder weight suggests.

The Repashy SuperFoods Range

Bottom Scratcher is part of the broader Repashy SuperFoods range — a series of specialised gel premixes formulated for specific dietary needs. Other Repashy products you might consider:

• Bug Burger — A complete diet for insects and invertebrates, widely used as supplementary feed for isopods, crickets, and similar invertebrate cultures. Different formulation focused on terrestrial invertebrates.
• Soilent Green — An algae meal replacement gel for fish, shrimp, and tadpoles. Particularly popular with pleco keepers and dart frog breeders. Often paired with Bottom Scratcher for balanced shrimp diets.
• Morning Wood — A calcium-fortified detritivore supplement designed for terrestrial isopods, millipedes, and similar organisms. The terrestrial counterpart to Bottom Scratcher's aquatic focus.

For shrimp keepers, Bottom Scratcher and Soilent Green are commonly used in rotation — Bottom Scratcher providing the invertebrate-based protein and Soilent Green providing algae-based nutrition. This combination gives shrimp the varied diet that supports healthy breeding colonies.

Who Should Buy Bottom Scratcher?

Ideal for:

• Aquarium keepers maintaining invertivorous fish species (corydoras, plecos, loaches, puffers, gobies)
• Caridina and Neocaridina shrimp keepers wanting premium specialist feed
• Dwarf crayfish keepers
• Axolotl keepers seeking supplementary nutrition
• Specialist breeders requiring optimised dietary profiles
• Bioactive setup builders running combined terrestrial/aquatic systems
• Dart frog keepers maintaining shrimp colonies for vivarium ecology
• Keepers wanting to avoid fish meal in their feeding regime

Not ideal for:

• Purely terrestrial isopod setups — try Morning Wood or Bug Burger instead
• Surface-feeding fish (the slow-sinking gel suits bottom-dwellers, not top-feeders)
• Pure herbivorous species — try Soilent Green instead
• Marine aquariums (designed for freshwater applications)

Tips for Optimal Use

Start small with picky feeders. Some fish species need time to recognise Bottom Scratcher as food. Start with small portions and increase gradually as acceptance develops. Most fish accept it readily within a few feedings, but some specialist species may need encouragement.

Match piece size to mouth size. Cut gel pieces appropriately — smaller pieces for shrimp and small fish, larger chunks for axolotls and bigger catfish. Oversized pieces simply go uneaten and foul the water.

Don't overfeed. Bottom Scratcher is dense nutrition. Feed amounts that get consumed within 1–2 hours and remove any uneaten portions. Excess food contributes to water quality problems.

Vary your feeding regime. Bottom Scratcher works best as part of varied feeding rather than the sole food source. Combine with other appropriate foods (live, frozen, or other dry diets) for nutritional variety.

Freeze portions in advance. Once prepared, you can freeze gel portions in small containers or ice cube trays for easy single-feeding access. Defrost as needed rather than preparing fresh each time.

Bottom Scratcher is fundamentally an aquatic product. Unlike Repashy's terrestrial range (Morning Wood, Bug Burger), Bottom Scratcher isn't appropriate for most terrestrial isopod cultures. If you're feeding terrestrial invertebrates, browse our accessories collection for appropriate alternatives.

Why Repashy Quality Matters

Repashy SuperFoods has earned its reputation through careful formulation and ingredient sourcing. Where many commercial fish foods rely on commodity ingredients and processed fish meal, Repashy formulations prioritise species-appropriate nutrition with specific, named ingredients. The Bottom Scratcher formula's commitment to invertebrate-only proteins (no fish meal anywhere in the ingredient list) reflects this philosophy — it's not just marketing positioning but actual ingredient selection.

Practical Fishkeeping magazine's review noted that Repashy "fills a massive gap in the market" by formulating specialist diets for finicky feeders that mainstream food manufacturers have largely ignored. For keepers of corydoras, specialist plecos, freshwater puffers, and breeding shrimp colonies, the difference between commodity food and species-appropriate nutrition is genuinely significant for long-term welfare and breeding success.

Building Your Repashy Range

For comprehensive feeding across your aquatic and terrestrial setups, consider building a complete Repashy range — Bottom Scratcher for invertivorous fish and shrimp, Soilent Green for algae-eating species, Morning Wood for terrestrial isopods needing calcium fortification, and Bug Burger for general invertebrate supplementation. Browse our accessories collection for the full range of Repashy products and other feeding supplies.