Fish Diet & Nutrition

Most commercially available fish foods are nutritionally balanced to meet all the dietary needs of aquarium fish. Tropical fish and goldfish have different nutritional requirements, making it important to use the appropriate food for each group. Within groups of fish, food may be needed in varying forms and sizes depending on the life stage of the fish.

A basic flake or floating pellet will normally form the basis of the diet. According to the species kept, this can be supplemented with live, frozen or vegetable foods. Many catfish and loaches will not come to the surface to take floating food, making it necessary to 'send food down' in the form of pellets or tablets. Other types of fish are more specialist in their requirements, and may only take living food such as other fish.

Goldfish may be fed each day over the warmer months and every other day in winter. Pond fish require very little food over winter as their metabolism slows in the lower temperatures. Tropical fish should be fed twice daily.

Overfeeding is a major contributor to poor water quality, which makes it very important to feed the correct amount. The stomach of a fish is not a lot bigger than its eye, which means that only a very small amount of food is generally necessary. At each feeding, the food should be consumed within 1-2 minutes.

Fish may go off their food for a number of reasons. Poor water quality (which is often caused by overfeeding!) is a factor, as well as temperature, disease, the type of food offered, or disturbances such as tapping on glass. Fish can suffer from nutritional diseases if the correct balance of fats, carbohydrates and proteins are not present in their diet.

Storage of food is important to maintain quality. Keep fish food in an airtight container and store in a cool dry place. Discard any food that has not been used after six months.