Fish Nutrition & Feeding

If you really want to get down to the nitty-gritty details...here are some fishy nutrition facts and some interesting food choices for your aquarium fish!

A month ago I wrote up a list of possible food choices for your fishy friends. Here's a recap of the aforementioned dietary selections along with a few new options.

- Mussels, raw beef heart, daphnia, bloodworms, white worms, small insects
- Glass worms, brine shrimp, fish fry, plankton, earthworms, snails
- Basil (herb), Angelica (herb), Paprika peppers, Carrots,
-Wheat bran, spinach, nettle, borage, spirulina algae, seaweed, soybeans
- Zucchini, cucumbers, romaine lettuce, fine leaved plants, wood (for catfish)



***FEEDING TIPS***

- Feed only a small amount 2-3x daily.
- Feed only the amount that can be consumed within 2 minutes
- Distribute food evening across water surface to ensure all fish can eat their share
- Do not feed anything to fish 1-2x a week to allow them to "fast" and get rid of waste
- Feed a variety of different foods to ensure maximum health and brilliant colors
- Do not feed expired or very old food because it most likely will have no nutrients left.
- Do not keep food in clear plastic bags because when food comes in contact with light, air, water, the vitamins, minerals and nutrients are destroyed.
- Use a gravel vacuum to suck up uneaten food at the bottom


*** Nutrition Chart ***

Vitamin A: benefits vision, growth, protects slime coat, increases fertility// deficiency could result in bleeding eyes or ulcers

Vitamin B1: essential for nervous system functioning // deficiency could result in odd swimming patterns and brain damage

Vitamin B2: digestion, muscle growth, protects slime coat// deficiency could result in ulcers and nervous sytem problems

Vitamin B5: enzyme synthesis //deficiency = gill damage

Vitamin B6: nervous system functioning

Vitamin B12: digestion, red blood cells // deficiency = anemia, growth problems

Vitamin C: immune system, bone growth, body growth

Vitamin D3: regulates calcium & phosphorus, skeletal growth

Vitamin E: fertility hormones, liver functioning

Vitamin H: growth hormones

Vitamin K: heals injuries

Choline: digests fat










Based on the SERA GUIDE "How to Feed your Tropical Fish Naturally"

Signs of a Healthy Fish

Here's what to look for in a healthy tropical fish:

- Swims effortlessly and is as active as it should be.

- Fins are straight and intact (not frayed, clamped close to the body or rotting etc.)

- Clear, smooth eyes that are a normal size


- Bright colors (if it's supposed to be colorful) on body and no discoloration

- Smooth skin/scales, no weird blisters or bumps or scales that protrude like a pinecone

- No ugly white/red/yellow/gray "blemishes" or "specks" on body

- Gills are NOT red/inflamed/protruding

- Belly is full but not about to explode (unless fish is pregnant)

- New fish will actively avoid capture, not be completely lifeless as if it's "giving up"

- Fish should be breathing easily and not gasping through mouth

- Body is straight and spine is not curved

- There's no external injuries, visible parasites/worms, bleeding

- Fish will eagerly seek and DEVOUR food like a little piggy



At the Fish Store...

- Try not to buy fish from tanks where the fish look sluggish and there are dead bodies in them

- If you buy fish of different species, keep them in separate bags so they do not resort to aggression while they crammed into such a tiny bag.

- Observe to see if different nets are used for each tank, or that the net is disinfected after use to prevent cross-contamination.

- Make sure there's plenty of air in the transport bag, and that the air is from the room, not blown through the salesperson's mouth (the air he/she respires has little oxygen)

- Check all fish for signs of illness (see above) before taking them home.

- Inquire about the store's return policy regarding fish/equipment.

- Keep the bag(s) of fish in a dark bag to calm them down (they'll think it's night time)