How Much, and What, Should I Feed My Fish?
Feeding Aquarium Fish Either too Much or Improperly can Kill Them
Oct 17, 2009
One topic often overlooked in the aquarium hobby is what aquarists feed their pet fish. Often times, people are taking care of every other aspect of the aquarium perfectly, but the tank is a mess and the fish are dying. This could simply be because of what, or how much, is being fed. Here we will discuss how much, and often, fish should be fed, the problems associated with overfeeding, and the types of food that should be fed to aquarium fish.
How Much, and Often, to Feed Fish
The frequency of how often a person should feed his pet fish is up for debate. Some sources say once a day, others say 2-3 times a day. This information is based on the fact that most people overfeed their fish, and the frequency of feeding fish is directly related to the amount fed.
There should never be any food left over after a meal. Flakes or pellets should never be left on the gravel. If you wish to feed your fish 2-3 times a day, which is better, you should only feed as much as the fish can eat in 1-2 minutes. If you wish to feed your fish once a day, feed them as much as they can eat in 4-5 minutes.
Problems of Overfeeding
The biggest problem with over feeding is how the excess food affects water quality. Food that is uneaten and left to sit at the bottom creates an excess of nutrients. These nutrients can make the water cloudy, and also feeds algae. People who have an algae problem in their fish tank notice that it disappears once the amount of food fed is cut back.
Another problem with overfeeding (especially with goldfish), is bloating. When fish eat too much at one time, their stomachs can expand to the point that it pushes against other vital organs, like the swim bladder. The swim bladder is the mechanism that a fish uses to swim upright. When a fish goes belly-up, it often means it has been overfed, and this is affecting its swim bladder. As the food is digested, the problem with the swim bladder may correct itself, or it may not. Once the swim bladder of a fish is permanently damaged, the fish rarely recovers. It is much better to feed the fish the proper amount.
Which Food to Feed
Before you purchase a fish, you should always find out what it eats. Many fish will only eat live or frozen foods. Some fish have poor eyesight, so food has to be placed where they can smell it. Other fish need food that floats on the top, or sinks to the bottom.
A good rule of thumb is that if a fish looks uncommon (knife fish, dragon goby, etc.) its feeding habits are most likely uncommon as well. The staff at your aquarium store should be able to answer any questions you have about which fish food to buy.
A variety of foods should be fed to aquarium fish, such as flakes, pellets, freeze dried, and frozen. The more variety a fish has, the healthier and more disease resistant it will be. Frozen brine shrimp and blood worms are especially good for boosting a fish's immunity.
Flakes and pellets should be preserved naturally, and contain vitamin C and D. These vitamins help induce the brightest color possible in fish. Fish foods that use ethoxyquin to preserve the food should not be purchased, as this preservative is harmful to aquarium fish.
If you take the time to chose a variety of good foods for your fish, and do not overfeed them, then the fish in your tank will be bright, vibrant, and healthy,
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