Varieties of fish feed to suit different dietary and feeding habits of fishes
Today we are able to keep many different species of fish from various regions all around the world. The world being a vast and ecologically diverse sphere means fish species from different areas will have different dietary patterns, habits and requirements. Within regions you will also have predominantly carnivorous or herbivorous, and preferential bottom, middle and surface feeders. Luckily with today’s scientific knowledge and technology we have many varieties of fish feed to suit almost any species, ranging from pre-formed dried foods to fresh live foods. The food in which you feed to your fish should be as close to or as similar to the foods they would normally consume in their natural habitat to keep them in optimum health. Fish should also be fed with a variety of foods (i.e. dried, frozen, live) to ensure all nutritional requirements are being met, and to provide them with different stimulating flavours and textures.
Varieties of food include:
– Dried Foods: These come in the form of flakes, pellets, granules, sticks, tablets and wafers. Depending on the species you are targeting to feed, these foods can be designed to float at the top for surface feeders, sink slowly through the water column for mid-water feeders, or sink quickly to the floor for bottom feeders.
– Frozen Foods: These are usually presented as frozen into cubes in blister packs or solid blocks in resealable bags for convenience and are available from the freezer section of your local fish shop. Common components include bloodworm, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, daphnia, tubifex worms, squid, vegetable meals and mosquito larvae. A good quality frozen food should be free from parasites, harmful bacteria and odours, and also have retained nutritional and sensorial value.
– Live Foods: The most commonly available live foods sold in fish shops include blackworm, brine shrimp, earthworms, crickets, meal worms, vinegar eels, microworms and feeder fish. Fishes are most eager to eat live foods, however, beware that some of these foods may introduce diseases to your tank.
