How to Feed Tropical Fish

Fish food options.

Feeding your fish with nutrients (which are as close, if not identical, to the food they eat in their natural habitat) is crucial to the health of your pets and the success of your fish-keeping hobby.

Fortunately, nowadays, you don't have to go to the wild to collect mosquito larvae or brine shrimp to feed your tropical fish. Different types of highly nutritious fish food are commercially available; all you need to do is understand your fishes' feeding requirements and follow these basic feeding principles.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Assorted fish food

1. Do your homework. Check out your local fish stores to see what types of food are available and if they are ideal for the types of fish you keep. Different fish species have different food and feeding requirements. For example, herbivores require adequate fiber (from plants and algae); carnivores must consume a lot of protein (from meat slivers or small fish); some delicate species thrive only on live insects and worms.

2. Never overfeed. Drop food into the aquarium a little at a time, at regular intervals during the day, instead of releasing one "big meal" into the tank. Fish can only eat as much as their stomachs will allow, and typically, fish stomachs become full within three to five minutes from the time the food is brought into the tank. After that, leftover food will remain suspended in the water and start to decay. Pollution quickly progresses, and the integrity of the aquarium setup promptly deteriorates.

3. Feed them just enough. Be aware that fish can get obese from overfeeding and malnutrition. Give them only the quantity and quality of food that will ensure good health and nutrition. Some species, like catfish and cyclids, are prone to non-stop eating. For these types, food that is too fatty (like Whiteworms) should be given sparingly. Obesity can only lead to health problems.

4. Observe the fish at feeding time.

   Observe the fish at feeding time. Hyperactive fish and fast swimmers will get to the food quicker than the rest; juveniles will be more picky than adults; nocturnals only eat when it's dark; surface feeders will only eat floating food while bottom feeders will only eat sunken food. New fish might be too shy to eat with the rest, and sick ones could ignore the feedings altogether. Make sure that all the fishes are eating properly and adequately, by giving different types of food, feeding at different hours, or segregating fish with peculiar eating habits.

5. Vary the menu. Like humans, fish appreciate variety in their diets. Simulate natural habitats by giving your fish a variety of foods. By alternating or mixing dried or frozen food with live food and greens, you provide a balance of carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals and help promote good health.

Tips & Warnings

• Live or fresh foods are nutritious and preferred by most fishes. Worms, insect larvae, water fleas and brine shrimp are fun to chase and gobble up.

• Introducing live food into your aquarium poses the risk of bringing in disease-carrying bacteria or accompanying predators (leeches and diving beetles). Therefore, always rinse live and fresh food under clean running water to remove dirt and dead ones.

• If possible, culture your own batches of live food to avoid harvesting unwanted predators.

• Scoop out the uneaten live food after each meal because they will eventually die and pollute the water.

Resources

• Aquaria FAQ -- Live Food
• Aquatic Community: Fish Food
• Popular Freshwater Tropical Fish: Feeding Your Fish
• RightPet: Fish