Table of Contents
What are the differences and types of feeding ornamental fish?
This chapter alone could easily be expanded into an entire book. We only present a few key points here species with respective examples. We will go into more detail on this in future articles.
Dry food for ornamental fish
First you have to distinguish how the shape of the lining is designed. On the one hand there are pellets or flake food. Then there are many types of granules and also a lot of different tabs and tablets. The variety of manufacturers is very extensive and is growing from year to year.
- Flake food: Here you can speak of the classic among fish feeds. This type of food comes in different flake shapes and sizes. Flake food has been used in our domestic aquariums since the beginning. Manufacturers such as Tetra, Sera and JBL can be mentioned here. However, anyone who thinks flake food is flake food is very wrong, because in the meantime a lot of special food has been developed for the respective ornamental fish. Be it for breeding and shaping the splendor of colour, or with special additives and nutrients. Guppy, killifish, betta or cichlids have special requirements and the manufacturers of the different types of flake food have also adjusted to this.
- tablet food: These food tablets, which are available in different sizes, have also been around for a very long time. Quickly sinking and therefore a good type of food, especially for bottom dwellers. The composition is also very diverse here. Be it from plant or organic substances.
- food tablets for long-term feeding is more of a special form of ornamental fish food.
- Granules or pellets: Granulated food has not been around for as long as flake food, but seems to be attracting more and more aquarists. Above all, the property of slow sinking makes this type of food quite interesting for some ornamental fish. Pellets and granules are also available as purely floating feed. Cichlids are usually only fed with granules.
- sticks: Ornamental fish food in the form of sticks also has a more recent history. The main advantage of this type and preparation of the feed is that they do not sink so quickly and stay on the surface for a long time.
- Leaves Lining: This type of dry food is also commercially available in different forms. Dried leaves are offered for shrimp, for example.
On the Ingredients of the respective dry food we do not want to go into detail here, as this would go beyond the scope. However, dry food certainly no longer has the bad reputation it had years ago. The manufacturers create it on the one hand the lining on the respective species of ornamental fish more precisely and the manufacturing processes are also getting better and better. Nutrients, vitamins and good ingredients in dry food are no longer a problem today. Also the raw materials for production keep getting better. However, you should never rely on one type of feed. But more on that later.
Live food for ornamental fish
Let's move on to a next group of feed. live food is indispensable for many types of ornamental fish. Above all, in many species it also serves as a substitute or rather as a change from dry food. Of course, handling, storage and durability are more difficult here. Nevertheless, it has many advantages. Especially when it comes to raising young animals, small animals can be extremely valuable.
But let's get to those Types and varieties of live food in the aquarium.
- mosquito larvae: Let's start with the probably most important representatives. The so-called mosquito larvae. These are available in different colors. Including the red, white and black mosquito larvae. All three species are larvae of different mosquitoes. Be it the mosquitoes, tufted mosquitoes or the dancing mosquitoes. In addition to breeding them yourself, you can also access these animals from pet shops or the online shop.
- Artemia: Especially when it comes to breeding, these small crabs called Artemia are very popular. Also because there are very good systems on the market for growing artemia yourself.
- mealworms: You can also breed mealworms at home. You can also find many instructions on YouTube and Co. These rather larger larvae of the flour beetle are very nutritious for certain fish.
- tubifex: Tubifex has also been found in aquaristics for many years. These little animals also play an important role, especially during rearing. But they are also eaten by live-bearing ornamental fish such as guppy and co. You can also buy these in specialist shops.
- freshwater shrimp: Especially the bream or cichlids are happy about these rather larger animals as tasty additional food.
- enchytraea: These rather small worms can be bred very well at home. Seramis is usually used as a breeding ground. Angelfish as well as other species are happy about this delicious food as a supplement to the dry food types.
- Many other small animals such as hoppers, daphnia, echinacea or bosmids. Here, too, there are plenty of animals that get into the aquarium and serve as additional food.
With all the animals listed here, you have to keep in mind that problems can quickly arise in the aquarium. Anyone handling live food should know exactly what they are doing and read up on the relevant species beforehand.
frozen food
A rather subspecies among the feeding possibilities of the The frozen food represents ornamental fish. This is particularly easy to store and cannot spoil so quickly. Nevertheless, it is possible to offer organic animals and microorganisms to the fish. Simply indispensable for discus and co. Dry food does not provide a balanced diet here. The components of frozen food are very individual and can vary mosquito larvae up to a mix contain everything from different living beings. Here, too, the industry offers a wide range of products.
The advantages are not only in the storability and shelf life, but also in the fact that fewer pathogens are to be expected. The freezing process kills them or prevents them from arising in the first place. The natural feeding must also be mentioned here as a major advantage. Here are a few Examples of frozen food varieties:
- Red mosquito larvae
- Discus mix food
- shrimp food
- water fleas and daphnia
- White mosquito larvae
- Frozen food for catfish
- Artemia
- freshwater shrimp like gammarus
- crayfish
- Malawi feed
- plankton feed
This should only be a small list. In the meantime, many manufacturers have developed mixtures of a wide variety of ingredients. These are then individually tailored to the respective ornamental fish species.
natural lining
The pure natural food should not be forgotten either. For example, shrimp like to eat a wide variety of foods Scroll and plants Catfish, on the other hand, also like to enter piece of cucumber. Of course, snails are also quick health food included. But other fish also like to eat vegetables and other natural products. That's why you should offer Dese Art again and again.
The right food for the respective ornamental fish
No matter what food you buy, it has to go to the respective fish and its eating habits fit. Not only that plays origin of the fish a major role, but also his eating habits. Hunters and robbers have different requirements here than non-predatory fish. Be it in the area of feed intake or in the frequency and quantity of feed. General recommendations can be found in the individual profiles ornamental fish or shrimp. Delivery also plays an important role. So it can happen that certain residents in your aquarium are almost never seen eating and others eat out of your hand. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Studying the profile of the respective ornamental fish
- Where does the resident eat? In which water area?
- The shape of the mouth usually says something about the eating behavior
- When do the fish eat? Afteractive fish have a different eating behavior.
- How often should the fish be fed?
- How much should you feed the fish?
Basic rules when feeding ornamental fish
Some things apply to all ornamental fish and invertebrates alike. No matter which feeding habits have these. Be it food intake or the frequency of food intake.
Variety is the key here. Offer that aquarium fish always offering other types and varieties of feed. Even if they may not be eaten at first. Usually it is because the fish do not know them yet. Over time, however, it may be that these types of food are also accepted. This is where you have to be patient. Give the fish time and always offer something new.
When choosing the feed, you should always take a look at the quality. Be it what the Manufacture or the ingredients concerns. The following things in particular play a major role and should be observed
- Protein: The proportion of protein in the feed should be considered. A distinction is usually made between vegetable and organic proteins.
- Minerals: Pay attention to the trace elements in the feed
- fatty acids: Pay attention to the vegetable oils or other fatty acid suppliers in the feed
- carbohydrates: Above all, without carbohydrates there will never be a staple food. Here you should pay attention to the ingredients, especially in terms of grain.
- Vitamins: This is also an enormously important component of ornamental fish food. Be it vitamin A, B1, B2, B9, C, D or E. A good and balanced diet should contain vitamins
Take your time and carefully analyze the ingredients of the respective feed.
Main food, supplementary food, additional food and treats - the menu
Not every feed serves as staple food and thus can not have the largest share on the Fish menu be. Here you also have to find out what the fish like most and need most.
So make a menu for the fish. This should not only consist of the main food, but should also contain additional valuable supplementary food or one or the other treat.
You should take your time here and ideally write down exactly what fish or what type of fish should be given in a calendar. Especially when you go on vacation.
Off on vacation but what do I do with the aquarium?
How often should I feed?
Especially beginners will be here most mistakes made. Many of our ornamental fish are simply too obese and overfed. Therefore, some species have a rather short life expectancy. Of course, the frequency of feeding also depends on the fish in question. In addition, age also plays a major role. Young fish usually need good and balanced nutrition several times a day, although other fish can do well with a fasting day.
Some species can't and shouldn't do everything at once a day in a single feeding. Here should be multiple prefer smaller amounts be fed. A general recommendation cannot be made here.
how much should i feed
There are also big differences in the amount, which mainly depends on the size of the fish. A 20cm cichlid needs quite a bit more food than a 2cm guppy. However, there are some general rules that apply equally to everyone.
- Only feed as much as can be eaten in a short period of time
- Uneaten fish food polluted the aquarium water heavily
- Better to feed less
- Do one fasting day a week
- Young fish need small amounts several times a day
- Fish often die from obesity
How long can my fish go without food?
Every aquarist has certainly asked himself these questions. An adult, well-fed fish can easily go several days without food. A juvenile of course not. Nevertheless, it is particularly true in the many community aquariums that the fish tend to be overfed. Fish will always ask for food. There is no such thing as being full here.
If you go on vacation, you can let your fish starve for a few days. Even with a dark cure against the algae in the aquarium, there are no problems and mostly all fish survive the multi-day diet.
Questions about feeding and co, then off to the forum