Feeding your fish live fish food can be a rewarding experience, especially for your fish! Live fish food contains the highest amount of nutrients – which are the key to a healthy, balanced diet. If you’ve never tried using live fish food before you may not know what to look for. Before you make the commitment to creating a live food diet for your fish, learn the basics about live food and …

Feeding your fish live fish food can be a rewarding experience, especially for your fish! In this article you’ll learn about the different types of live fish food available and how you can cultivate some of your own.

As you wander through the aquarium aisle at your local pet store you may be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices in flake foods alone. In addition to flake foods, there are also pellets, granules and wafers, not to mention frozen and freeze-dried foods. If you want to give your fish the best diet you can possibly give them, however, you need to move away from the processed foods and stick to live foods. Live fish food contains the highest amount of nutrients which are the key to a healthy, balanced diet. If you’ve never tried using live fish food before you may not know what to look for. Before you make the commitment to creating a live food diet for your fish, learn the basics about live food and determine the nutritional needs of your fish to ensure that you will be able to meet them.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Live Food

The main benefit associated with live food is the high nutrient content that cannot be matched by processed or even frozen foods. In addition to all of the natural nutrients, live foods can be “gut-loaded” to deliver additional nutrients or enriched with vitamin supplements. Gut-loading is simply the process of feeding live insects like bloodworms or white worms nutritious foods in the hopes of passing those nutrients on to the fish in your tank when they eat the worms. Another benefit of live foods is that they will not decompose in your tank as quickly as processed foods which can have a negative effect on water quality. In addition to keeping the tank environment cleaner, offering your fish live foods is also a great way to simulate their natural habitat and feeding habits.

Though it is true that live foods are much more nutritious than processed foods, they are also more expensive. If you take the health of your aquarium fish seriously, however, and you want them to thrive and grow, then the price may not be an obstacle for you. Another drawback associated with live foods is that they may be more difficult to store and there may also be some work involved in raising the foods. If you choose to give your fish brine shrimp, for example, you may need to hatch the brine shrimp eggs and raise the shrimp to the proper size. Unlike processed foods, live foods cannot be kept in large quantities because they may die, at which point they should not be fed to fish.

Types of Live Fish Food

Brine Shrimp – Newly hatched brine shrimp are a staple in the diet of fry and small fish and most aquarium fish feed readily on adult brine shrimp. The best way to procure live brine shrimp is to hatch them yourself. Brine shrimp eggs can be purchased online or from your local pet store and hatched in a plastic 2-liter bottle. Connect the bottle to an air pump, regulate the temperature around 85° Fahrenheit and add un-iodized salt. Once the eggs have hatched, simply siphon off the brine shrimp and add them to your tank using an eye dropper.

Daphnia – Also known as “water fleas,” daphnia are tiny crustaceans ideal for feeding newly hatched fry. These creatures will not die in the tank and they can be cultured at home in batches of nearly any size. Simply order a starter culture online or by mail and feed the culture using algae scrapings from the main tank, artificial plankton, deactivated yeast or powdered milk. If you live near a body of water known to contain daphnia you can catch your own using a fine net. If you choose to do this, beware that you may also catch parasites and insects you do not want to put in your aquarium.

Bloodworms – Though they are actually mosquito larvae rather than worms, bloodworms are a favorite among many aquarium fish. It is easy to collect your own larvae by setting out a wide-mouthed bucket of water and adding evaporated milk or grass clippings to promote bacteria growth. Once mosquitoes discover the water they will lay eggs and 2 to 3 weeks later you will have a ready supply of larvae. You may also collect larvae from local ponds or lakes.

White Worms – These worms are small, typically around 1 inch in length, and they can be fed to fish that are between 3 and 6 inches long. White worms should be kept in dark containers filled with moist potting soil and fed a diet of milk-soaked bread. In the darkness, these worms will come out of the soil and cover food sources, making it easy to collect them for feeding. It is best to offer white worms to fish using a feeding cone – if you drop them freely into the tank white worms may burrow into the substrate where your fish cannot access them.

Infusoria – These microscopic protozoans are most frequently used in feeding newly hatched fry. Infusoria are naturally found in every freshwater aquarium so it can be easy to raise your own. Establish a culture using water siphoned from the gravel in your main tank and add some kind of plant material. As the plant material breaks down, bacteria will appear and the infusoria will rapidly multiply as they feed on the bacteria.

Feeder Fish – While most fish do not require feeder fish as part of their diet, some larger species like cichlids and piranhas can benefit from eating live fish. The most common types of feeder fish are goldfish and guppies, both of which you are likely to find at your local pet store. Before offering your fish any feeder fish, it is wise to quarantine the fish for some time to ensure that they are not carrying disease or parasites. If you feed your tank inhabitants contaminated feeder fish, they may fall ill themselves.

Tips for Live Food Diets

While you may be able to find some live fish food at your local pet store or online, in most cases it is easier to raise the foods yourself. By raising your own live foods, you’ll not only have a supply on hand whenever you need it, but you can also save money. Culturing your own live foods is also a good way to ensure that the foods you are offering your fish are kept free of disease-causing bacteria.

Feeding your fish live foods can be a rewarding experience, but you may need some extra equipment if you plan to raise your fish on a live food diet. Floating feeder cones are ideal for bloodworms and white worms because the cone floats on the surface of the water and fish may access the worms through holes or slots in the sides of the cone. If you don’t have a feeder cone you can sink a bowl in the bottom of your tank and drop the worms into it to keep them in place until your fish eat them. Some live fish food like brine shrimp, daphnia and infusoria can be infused directly into the tank water without fear of affecting water quality.

In the same way that you wouldn’t feed your children a diet consisting entirely of fast food (if you wanted them to be healthy!), you shouldn’t expect your aquarium fish to thrive on a diet of flake food. While some commercial flake foods are …

If you want healthy, thriving fish it’s important to feed them a variety of healthy fish food. In this article you’ll learn the basics of a healthy diet for your aquarium fish.

In the same way that you wouldn’t feed your children a diet consisting entirely of fast food (if you wanted them to be healthy!), you shouldn’t expect your aquarium fish to thrive on a diet of flake food. While some commercial flake foods are specially formulated for specific types of fish, and many companies offer vitamin- and mineral-enriched formulas, flake foods alone are not enough to fulfill the nutritional needs of your fish. In order to cultivate a healthy, thriving aquarium you need to feed your fish a variety of healthy foods – this includes live, frozen and freeze-dried foods in addition to flake foods. Before you can hope to raise healthy fish, you need to learn the basics of a healthy diet for aquarium fish.

Types of Aquarium Fish Food

Processed – Flakes are the most commonly used processed fish food and they are available in many varieties. Some flake foods are formulated for specific species or groups of fish, such as tropical fish or cichlids, and others are designed to encourage spawning. Some flake foods are even designed to provide your fish with vitamins and minerals to enhance growth and color. Pellets are similar to flakes in that they too are a type of processed fish food. The main difference is that pellets are designed to sink, making them a good food source for bottom feeders. Tablets, or wafers, are also designed to sink and are largely formulated to fulfill the nutritional needs of scavengers and bottom feeders. Processed foods should not be the main component in the diet of aquarium fish, but it can be a useful supplement.

Live – Live fish food may consist of plants in the tank as well as insects, animals or microorganisms that you introduce to the tank as a food source. Live plants, snails and microorganisms that are already present in your tank can provide your fish with a healthy supplemental food source, but they should not make up the majority of their diet. Some of the most popular types of live food include brine shrimp, bloodworms, tubifex worms and white worms. Large species of fish may also be fed feeder fish. However, care should be taken when using feeder fish because if the feeder fish are carrying disease or parasites, it could spread to the other fish in your tank. Live foods are the most nutritious type of food for fish because they still contain all of their natural nutrients.

Frozen – Aside from live foods, frozen fish foods retain the most nutrients among all the various types of aquarium fish food. This is made possible by the fact that frozen foods are not processed – they are simply frozen at the peak of freshness in water or some kind of gelatin to contain the food. There are many types of frozen food available but some of the most common include plankton, shrimp, bloodworms, tubifex worms and squid. It is also possible to find vegetables and algae in frozen form for herbivorous fish. In order to ensure that your fish get all the nutrients they can from frozen food, do not thaw the foods for more than 30 minutes and never use hot water to thaw frozen foods.

Freeze-Dried – Tubifex worms, bloodworms and shrimp are just a few examples of the many types of freeze-dried food available. These foods can be stored at room temperature, making them almost as convenient to use as flakes. The downside to freeze-dried foods, however, is that 50% or more of the nutrients contained in the food are lost during the freeze-drying process. Because they are relatively low in nutrients, freeze-dried foods should only be used to supplement the diet of your fish – they cannot serve as a healthy staple diet. Another thing to keep in mind about freeze-dried foods is that because the moisture has been removed during processing, they will absorb a lot of water and will fill up your fish more than you might realize. For this reason, it is a good idea to moisten freeze-dried foods before you offer them to fish and be especially careful to avoid overfeeding.

What Nutrients Do Fish Need?

The nutritional needs of aquarium fish include protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins and minerals. Protein is essential for healthy growth, but if fish are given too much protein it will simply be broken down into sugars, a process which produces excess ammonia that can affect the water quality in your tank. Aquarium fish glean energy from lipids, or fats, and carbohydrates and some fats provide some of the pigments responsible for red, yellow and green coloration. Vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy bone, tissue and scale growth. A healthy diet for aquarium fish will include all of these components in the ideal proportion.

Healthy Fish Food Tips

When you set out to create a healthy, balanced diet for your fish you need to know what kind of fish you are dealing with. Freshwater aquarium fish may be herbivorous, carnivorous or omnivorous. Once you have determined what type of fish you have in your aquarium, you can begin to design a diet that will fulfill all the nutritional needs of your tank inhabitants. Herbivores require a diet consisting of approximately 15% to 30% protein, 2% to 6% fiber and 1% to 3% fats. Carnivores require a much higher protein content, between 50% and 70%, along with 2% to 4% fiber and 3% to 6% fat. Omnivorous species of fish need a diet composed of about 30% to 40% protein, 3% to 8% fiber and 2% to 5% fats. Because carbohydrates are a major source of energy, the diets of all aquarium fish should contain about 40% carbohydrates. All types of fish can also benefit from being offered fresh vegetables like lettuce, spinach, peas and zucchini.

Once you have determined what type of foods you need to feed your fish and how much to give them, try to establish a weekly routine. Do not give your fish the same combination of foods everyday – try offering them live food one day, frozen the next and flake foods on the third day. If you feed your fish twice a day you may find it easier to offer them vitamin- or mineral-enhanced flake foods for one meal a day then provide another type of food during the second feeding to balance things out. When feeding your fish, keep in mind that you should only be offering as much food as they can consume in 3 to 5 minutes. This will prevent both obesity and the build-up of uneaten fish food along the bottom of your tank

While flake food is perhaps the most commonly used type of fish food, it is not necessarily the healthiest. Some fish food companies produce vitamin- and mineral-enhanced foods, but few novice aquarium hobbyists realize that even these foods are not enough to provide fish with a well-balanced diet. Frozen fish food is one of the most …

Frozen fish food is one of the most nutritious types of food you can give your fish. It’s also great for encouraging an energetic feeding response for finicky eaters. In this article you’ll learn about the different types available and where to find them.

If you are new to the aquarium hobby, you may be unaware that fish food comes in a variety of forms, not just flakes. While flake food is perhaps the most commonly used type of fish food, it is not necessarily the healthiest. Some fish food companies produce vitamin- and mineral-enhanced foods, but few novice aquarium hobbyists realize that even these foods are not enough to provide fish with a well-balanced diet. One of the most nutritious types of fish food is frozen food.

What Is Frozen Fish Food?

Frozen fish food often comes in small cubes which can be dropped into the tank or thawed prior to feeding. As the cubes melt, the food is distributed to hungry fish. Frozen fish foods may contain a variety of ingredients including shrimp, insects and small organisms like daphnia. Before you go out and stock up on frozen fish food for your aquarium it is wise to explore the benefits and disadvantages of this type of food. In order to keep your fish healthy and safe, learn which types of frozen food are best for the fish species you keep.

Frozen fish food is more nutritious than most commercial and freeze-dried foods because fewer nutrients are lost than during freeze-drying and processing. In most cases, frozen fish food comes in individual cubes sold in packages designed to keep the foods fresh. While some hobbyists drop the frozen cubes into their tanks directly, others recommend thawing the cubes first for no more than thirty minutes. The easiest way to do this is to place the cube in a cup of tank water for ten minutes or so, then dump the contents into the tank. If a whole cube is too much for your fish you can chop it into smaller portions and only thaw the amount you intend to use.

Types of Frozen Food

Many fish foods are available in frozen form which makes it easy for aquarium hobbyists to provide their fish with a well-balanced and nutritious diet. One of the most popular types of frozen fish food is brine shrimp. Though adult brine shrimp have relatively little nutritional value, they are often used when conditioning fish for breeding. Cubes of brine shrimp are sometimes supplemented with garlic or plankton to add nutrients. Tubifex worms and bloodworms are also popular varieties of frozen food which most freshwater aquarium fish are eager to eat. Daphnia, or water fleas, are another option in frozen fish food as are Mysis, a type of shrimp high in protein. Cockels and mussels are also high in protein when kept frozen and they can provide your fish with valuable minerals needed for bone growth.

Where to Find Frozen Foods

Many large retail pet stores have a selection of frozen fish foods which is likely to include cubes of brine shrimp, tubifex worms and bloodworms. It may be easier and cheaper, however, to shop online. Reputable sites like Foster and Smith Aquatics and Marine Depot can be considered safe places to shop for frozen fish food. Do not purchase fish food from websites that do not look trustworthy or those that do not provide adequate information about their products. Before buying, make sure the products you are ordering will be shipped properly – the product should remain frozen throughout the entire shipping process in order to retain nutrients and to avoid contamination. Most quality retailers will offer overnight or 2-day shipping. Foods should also be packaged in foam coolers with dry ice or ice packs to keep them frozen.

Benefits and Drawbacks

The main benefit of frozen fish food is that it retains more of its natural nutrients. When commercial and freeze-dried foods are processed, they lose many of their nutrients which makes them good for little more than simply satiating the hunger of your fish. Frozen food, on the other hand, can keep your fish healthier, can give them more energy and it can bring out more vibrant colors in their scales. Not only do your fish benefit from being fed frozen food, you will also be able to enjoy an aquarium full of colorful and active fish. After all, half the fun of keeping an aquarium is seeing your fish thrive and grow!

The most commonly cited drawback of frozen fish food is the higher price. Frozen fish foods are more expensive than flake food and they may also be a little more difficult to find. While most pet stores and large grocery stores carry a supply of flake foods, not all pet stores carry a selection of frozen foods. If you live in a small town or a rural area, your only option may be to purchase frozen fish food through an online retailer. Finding a variety of frozen foods for fish can be easy online but be sure to compare prices between companies before selecting one and do not forget to factor in the shipping costs. In addition to the added cost and effort in finding it, frozen fish food also needs to be kept in the freezer. This type of food cannot be thawed and refrozen and it certainly cannot be left sitting out on your tank stand or cabinet for easy access.

Tips for Frozen Fish Food

If you want your fish to receive the benefits of frozen food but you do not have the extra money to spend on it, consider making your own. Mosquito larvae are nutritious for fish and you can gather them in the summertime for free. Scoop the larvae into an ice cube tray and fill each cube with a little distilled water before freezing it. Simply place one of the frozen cubes in your aquarium and, as it melts, the larvae will be distributed to your fish as a tasty treat. You can also purchase frozen prawns and chop them up into tiny bite-size pieces for fish. Mix the prawns with some garlic to make it more nutritious for your fish and freeze it by following the same procedure.

Once you have made the decision to start using frozen foods you should be aware of a few precautions. Never thaw frozen fish food using hot water – this could result in the loss of valuable nutrients. Once the food has been thawed, never attempt to freeze it again. Re-freezing thawed fish food can result in contamination and your fish could become sick if you feed them contaminated food. The final thing you should be aware of is that even though frozen foods are among the most nutritious, you still need to supplement the diet of your fish with other types of food. Live, flake and freeze-dried foods contain different vitamins, minerals and nutrients than some frozen foods and you need to provide your fish with a combination of all types of fish food to ensure a balanced diet.