How To Feed Fish Correctly
There are many species of fish in the world. Each of them must respect a specific diet, which is also influenced by the temperature and climate. When it comes to fish nutrition, it is essential to know the nutritional needs of each species.
Feed the fish correctly, based on the species
A fish can be carnivorous, herbivorous or omnivorous, depending on the species. Knowing the habits and nutritional needs of your little fish friends is the first step in providing them with a balanced diet.
Carnivorous fish
Carnivores are generally excellent hunters in their natural habitat . They have a short intestine and feed 1 or 2 times a day. Protein is easily digested and provides prolonged satiety.
They can feed on crustaceans, shellfish, and smaller fish, such as sardines and herring. The main specimens of carnivorous fish are tuna and sharks.
Though they have sharp teeth, carnivorous fish never chew food. In fact, their teeth are used to injure and grab prey. But the food is directly squeezed into the esophagus and swallowed in the stomach.
Herbivorous fish
There are very few strictly herbivorous fish species. These animals feed mainly on indigenous plants of the aquatic flora. They can fish in salt or fresh water.
They have a longer intestine, because vegetables require a prolonged digestive process. They also tend to feed several times a day to satisfy their hunger. The best known herbivorous species are the damsel fish and the salpa.
Omnivorous fish
Many aquarium fish are omnivores. It is an important skill that improves the ability to adapt and, consequently, the chances of surviving. These aquatic animals are opportunists and eat both animal and plant proteins. Their habits basically depend on the habitat to which they are exposed.
They usually eat 2 or 3 times a day, based on the percentage of protein they consume in each meal.
Tips for feeding aquarium fish correctly
Some ways of doing it are essential to avoid making mistakes when choosing the food for aquarium fish. It is essential to know which fish species to have in order to give them an adequate diet. Here then, for you, a series of useful tips that will help you feed your little fish friends well:
Don’t overfeed your fish
Choose a good ready-made feed based on the species of your fish : you will avoid unnecessary risks! But knowing when and how to feed it is just as important.
Overeating and being overweight are risk factors for the health of your fish. In fact, many often die from a disease known as ” fatty liver “.
Most owners offer an exorbitant amount of food. And this is not only dangerous for the weight of the fish. The accumulation of food in the bottom is the most common source of bacterial contamination in home aquariums.
Specialists recommend the following proportion: 0.4 g of feed per day for every 10 g of fish in the aquarium.
Make sure everyone feeds
The method of feeding also varies according to the species. Each fish is anatomically prepared to eat in a different way. Some feed on the surface, others in the center and others in the lower part of the aquarium.
Therefore, it is very important that you pay attention to how your fish are used to eating. It is recommended to observe their habits to ensure that everyone is able to eat adequately.
Provide live food
Commercial dry food is excellent as a base for feeding fish. Among other things, because it contains the appropriate proportions for each species.
However, live food is crucial for the nutrition and digestive and reproductive process of fish. Represents a basic supply of 100% natural protein and fiber.
The ideal is to make a mixture with mosquito larvae, shrimp and worms of the tubifex type . This is a really great mix if you have carnivorous and omnivorous fish.
As for the herbivorous ones, you can give them algae and other aquatic vegetables. Alternatively, it’s a good idea to offer him some lettuce or boiled spinach.
Avoid the accumulation of food
In addition to respecting the daily proportions of food, it is necessary to clean the inside of the aquarium once a month. Provided you have an adequate filter system to keep the water in good condition.
Feeding for fish in winter
If you have a proper heating system installed , you shouldn’t make any changes to your little fish’s diet as winter approaches. Remember that you can feed him 2 to 4 times a day.
Conversely, if you wish to let the fish hibernate, feeding should only be offered once a day. Normally, fish activate the hibernation process when the temperature drops below 10 ° C.
As you have seen, it is not difficult to properly feed the fish in your aquarium. Follow these useful tips carefully so that your little friend always grows and lives in a healthy environment and without risk to his health.
