Fish food

Various pets exist all over the world. Some people like dogs, and some like cats, and some may like to have tiny (or big) swimming creatures in a tank! This just shows how different people can be from each other.

Almost all pet lovers know how difficult it is to choose the type of food your pet gets. Well, marine pets aren’t an exception. Owners need to identify the kind of fish they have to know what type of food to feed them. Sure, one can go to the store and buy fish food without researching the recommended type of food they need. However, at Pet Food Patrol, we feel it’s a simple thought-process that owners can easily understand.

Different Kinds of Fish Based on Their Diet

Fishes have different types, just like other pet species. Some are top feeders, some are bottom dwellers or also called bottom feeders, some are mid-level swimmers. Their main difference is based on the kind of diet the fish has, whether it is flake food or something similar to vegetation, or dried insects. Others can also be fed with both.

Herbivores

As obvious as it can be, herbivore fishes are those that are on a vegetarian diet. They can be fed with something as simple as fish flakes to something more unique like algae wafers. Owners can also go with fresh food as another option. Adding small-sized vegetables like spinach and green peas can spice up your fish’s diet.

Examples of Herbivore Fishes:

• Plecos
• Pacus
• Silver Dollars
• African Cichlids

Omnivores

Omnivores are the easiest fishes to feed. Since they eat both plants and meat, owners can either feed flakes, pellets, or meat-based food.

Examples of Omnivore Fishes:

• Catfish
• Mollies
• Goldfish

Carnivores

Very few types of fish prefer to eat meat. Meat-based foods can go from frozen shrimp, worms to live worms and feeders.

Examples of Carnivore Fishes:

• Jack Dempsey Cichlids
• Bettas
• Oscars

What Kind of Food Do Fish Eat?

Now that you know what kind of fish eats what, it’s time to discuss the different kinds of food. Choosing one out of these choices might be tricky, but in the end, you’ll know which ones your fish prefer based on their preferences.

Dry Fish Foods

Fish Flakes is the most common choice for aquarium food. However, flakes aren’t the only dry food made available. There are also fish pellets and granules. Some options sink, and some float depending on the type you choose. There is also a specific dry food for a particular fish.

Make sure to supplement dry food with vegetable-like food to keep the fish well-rounded and healthy. Some good options are dried spirulina or nori algae. Have your fish nibble on these once in a while.

Frozen Fish Food

Other fish may prefer frozen rather than dry ones. Frozen options for carnivores include shrimp, plankton, prawn, krill, etc. Herbivores can also have the option to enjoy the frozen treats! Frozen spirulina cubes mostly do the trick for herbivores.

Freeze-Dried Food

Freeze-dried and frozen can be a little confusing. However, freeze-dried fish foods are made by quick-freezing cooked or uncooked food in a vacuum. This option isn’t as nutritious as frozen food as the freeze-drying process can alter the food’s cell structure. However, it can pass as occasional treats for your fish friends.

Live Food

This might be the most attractive and healthy choice for carnivorous fish. This usually includes feeder fish and insects.

Green Foods

Some fish like to nibble on aquarium plants. If you catch your fish doing this, an excellent alternative for them to bite on is vegetables. Owners can try greens like lettuce, zucchini, spinach, and cucumber. Cut out little parts and place them at the side of the aquarium. If left uneaten, make sure you remove it within the day. Fish like plecostomus occasionally like to nibble vegetables.

One can try to feed fish pellet each time, but that doesn’t guarantee the fish to live healthy marine lives in their aquariums. Instead of taking that route, try to test which of these choices your fish likes. And if that sticks, try switching it up every once in a while.

What Is Fish Food Made Of?

High-quality fish food formulas use varied ingredients to give fish the highest amount of nutrition they can get. When shopping for a product, make sure to spot these in the ingredient list:

Protein Sources

• Fish meal
• Earthworms
• Shrimp meal
• Spirulina

Vitamins and Minerals

• Vitamin B3 or Niacin
• Vitamin B2 or Riboflavin
• Vitamin B7 or Biotin
• Vitamins C and E
• Zinc
• Manganese

Excellent fish food will usually include some if not all of these ingredients. Protein is essential to the life of a fish. It’s the nutrient that most aquarium fish need to survive. Ensure that your fish get enough protein every day to keep them strong and healthy.

What Food Is Best For Fish?

There’s no authentic food that is best fit for every fish. Each fish type has different foods that are best for them. Fish like Bettas and Goldfish are very different from each other. Hence each has a different food that is best-fed only for them.

Betta fish food can include live food like bloodworms, which is considered the best option for bettas. Goldfish, on the other hand, have special flakes that are made especially for them. Saltwater and freshwater fish may have similar fish foods. The point is, it’s best to do some research on the kinds of food that are suited for each fish before buying them at the store.

What Food Can Fish Eat Besides Fish Food?

Feeding fish is a straightforward task to do, especially with different kinds of products on the market today. Aquarium fish friends have never been simpler to feed. But, there will be cases where you run out of pellets, wafers, or even fish food flakes. In times like these, you’re going to have to find a suitable alternative for your fish to eat.

Luckily, several human foods are fish-appropriate. Refer to this list for fruit and vegetable alternatives:

Vegetables

Fish love to nibble on plants, no doubt. Whether these are land-existing plants or on water, most fish species love plants. Here are a couple of vegetable alternatives or supplements that you can try with your fish:

• Lettuce
• Zucchini
• Cucumbers
• Carrots
• Peas
• Lima Beans
• Pumpkins
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Potatoes

Feeding your fish plant produce is an excellent practice to do now and then. Whatever vegetable you choose to feed your fish, it must be cleaned thoroughly to remove unwanted dirt and bacteria.

Some fish may like their veggies to be steamed, blanched, or boiled, and it is more appealing to them when done so. A few examples of these veggies are lettuce, carrots, and peas. Fish may find these vegetables’ rigid nature hard to nibble on and should be boiled or steamed beforehand to make it softer for them to eat. Although, zucchinis and cucumbers are fed raw. Removing seeds and the slimy jelly parts should be enough.

Fruits

Fruits aren’t as recommended as vegetables, but few fish-friendly fruits can be used as an alternate meal. A few of them are:

• Bananas
• Apples
• Pears

Before starting to feed fish with these fruits, it must be thoroughly washed. Unwanted particles may stick to the skin and could pose a threat to your fish.

Not all species would be willing to eat fruits. Fruits usually contain acids and sugars, which can contaminate saltwater with large quantities of bacteria and moss, potentially harming your fish. Remember to remove fruits as soon as you notice them be uneaten.

Other Alternate Foods

If your fish aren’t interested in eating fruits or vegetables, then you can try some of these:

• Algae
• Earthworms
• Fish Fillet
• Boiled Rice

Be mindful that earthworms and fish fillets are just food options for carnivores. Small pieces of these can be a good source of proteins and other nutrients. Algae eaters will be pleased if there are any existing algae in the tank. So, if the tank doesn’t seem that dirty, leave some for them to eat. If you’re unsure about these options, consult a vet before doing so. It’s good to be safe than sorry.

As a wise consumer of fish food, remember to keep an eye on brands that suit each fish type. Tropical fish, saltwater fish, freshwater fish, and even bottom feeders eat differently. It’s good to note the specific products that commercial brands make other than naturally occurring foods like vegetables. Unlike human food, fish food companies manufacture food products specifically for fish consumption. These brands offer fish all the nutrition they can get with these treats.