Fish food - which one is the best & how do I choose?

Choosing the correct type of fish food for your fish is important. In order to keep your fish happy and healthy, understanding what your aquatic pets need is the first step.

For example, if you have carnivores and herbivores fishes in one tank, you might need to feed some plant-based and meat-based foods, so everyone gets what they need. Fish enjoy different kinds of food, so even carnivores can benefit from eating some plant matter, and herbivores may occasionally benefit from a little extra protein. A balanced diet will help to promote healthy growth and beautiful coloration of your fish.

Types of Fish Food

• Fish Flakes, a popular option for small to medium-sized fish;

• Pellet, more suitable for larger fish;

• Frozen food, comes in variety of options, such as frozen bloodworm;

• Live food, such as feeder fish, worms and insects.

  
  

  

  Types of Fish Food

  Photo from: Types of Fish Feed: Ultimate Guide to Fish Food - Fish Laboratory

Pros & Cons of Different Types of Fish Food

Fish Flake 

• Advantages: it is easy to store and use. Ingredients are often formulated to ensure the well-being and enhance color of the fish.

• Disadvantages: float around the tank, and uneaten flakes can contaminate the water, leading to water quality problems.

• Example: Tetra Bits Complete, Seachem Tropical Flakes

  
  

Pellet Food 

• Advantages : it is typically more nutritious than flake food and can provide a more balanced diet for your fish. Less messy than flake food, as uneaten pellets can be quickly removed from the water.

• Disadvantages: float around the tank, and uneaten pellet can contaminate the water, leading to water quality problems.

• Example: Hikari Micro Pellets (for small fish), Hikari Food Sticks (floating pellet for carnivorous fish), Hikari Algae Wafers (plant-based)

  
  

Frozen Food

• Advantages: natural food with nutritional value. Easy to store.

• Disadvantages: Need to be store in fridge and defrost before feeding. Easy to deteriorate when left outside.  

  
  

Live Food

• Advantages: Suitable for predatory fish, as it can help maintain their natural behaviour.

• Disadvantages: Expensive and difficult to obtain. Prone to diseases and parasites.

How to Choose the Right Type of Fish Food for Your Fish?

Consider the size and the type of  your fish before purchasing any fish food. The size of the food should be able to fit into your fish’s mouth to prevent choking and ensure proper digestion.

How Often Should You Feed Fish?

Feeding can be done once or twice a day. Prevent overfeeding your fish as it may deteriorate water quality. To avoid this issues, feed a small amount of fish food at a time and monitor your fish so that the fish food can be consume within 5 minutes. The feeding behaviour of the fish must be considered. Some fish have more aggressive feeding behaviour and may require larger or more frequent feedings. Conversely, some fish are shy and prefer smaller or less frequent feedings.