How to Feed Your Fish

In most pet stores there are lots of varieties of fish food to choose from. All fish need certain nutrients for a healthy diet and choosing the right food may not be easy. Not all fish have the same diet either. Some fish are fine with a dry diet of pellets or flakes, while other fish may prefer a live diet of brine or worms. Here are some tips you may find helpful when choosing food and feeding your fish.

Because there are literally thousands of different kinds of fish it is best that you learn as much as possible about your specific types of fish. Each kind of fish has a different diet. Just like any other pet, fish should eat a diet that closely resembles what they would eat in nature in order to prolong life and health. Whether you have goldfish, cichlids, freshwater or tropical fish you should learn about their natural habitat, diet, and life cycle. Learning this information about your fish will not only help you choose the right food but will help you to understand how much to feed them, and when.

Dry Prepared Foods
Most fish owners are familiar with dry fish foods such as pellets and flakes. But, there are literally hundreds of different brands, flavors, and varieties to choose from. Before buying any dry prepared fish food read the label to make sure it is safe for your type of fish. Some fish eat from the top of the water and others eat from the bottom of the tank. The type of fish you are raising makes a huge difference in what type of food you should buy. Some fish owners may actually have to buy several types of fish food if they have more than one kind of fish in their aquarium.

How Much to Feed and When?
Generally speaking, flakes are for top feeders like goldfish, cichlids, and many freshwater fish. Pellets and discs are usually best for bottom feeders. The next issue you have to clear up is how much to feed and how often. Most fish will eat whenever there is food available, but this doesn't mean you should dump a handful of flakes into the aquarium everyday. If you overfeed your fish the uneaten amounts of food will settle at the bottom of the tank and begin to rot. Once the food settles at the bottom of the aquarium it will begin to decay; usually within a week. Rotting food can cause the PH and ammonia levels to get messed up which can be devastating for your fish.

When feeding your fish it is generally best to give them only a small amount at a time. Usually a pinch or two of food is fine for 3-4 fish. If you are not sure how much to feed, begin with a small amount and keep dropping in food slowly until your fish no longer want to eat. Keep track of how much food you put in the tank before the fish stop eating and you will know how much to give them. When feeding flakes to your fish try not to overfeed because excess flakes are extremely hard to get out of water. Extra pellets or discs can be removed with a net pretty easily. If you have excess flakes you will have to let them settle on the bottom and siphon them out later.

Once a day is generally fine for feeding but most fish can go several days without food. When allowing children to feed fish it is best to make sure they are supervised. Children tend to overfeed their fish which causes dangerous imbalances in the water levels that can be deadly for many fish. Simply check the ammonia and PH levels of the aquarium water at least once a week to make sure everything is safe for your fish.

Live Foods
Feeding fish is rather inexpensive and for dry prepared foods you will spend between $10-$20 a year. Although more expensive, live foods are better for some kinds of fish. If you prefer many kinds of fish will do fine on a diet of brine or blood worms. Brine can be purchased either live or frozen. Blood worms are usually sold live in most pet stores. Some types of fish actually eat other fish too. If your fish eat a diet that consists of other fish find out what kind and buy them occasionally as a treat. Frozen brine usually comes in cubes and they stick pretty well to the side of an aquarium. If you drop in a whole cube some fish, especially the bigger ones may eat the entire cube at once which may not be very healthy for them. Sticking it to the side of the tank or using a pair of tongs will help them work for the food instead of just devouring it all at once.

Most fish will eat anytime food is available. If your fish are not eating there is a problem. First check the PH and ammonia levels to make sure they are correct. If the water levels are safe your fish may be sick. Healthy fish always eat. If you cannot remedy the problem on your own you may want to take a water sample to your pet store to have it checked, and if that doesn't provide you with a solution you may want to call a fish specialist. Again, if you are overfeeding your fish may just not be hungry. Try feeding less often and see if that makes a difference in their appetite.