food

[lilmisstrouble]

So was just wondering what u all use to feed your fish? Personally mine get live thingys once a week and flakes the rest of the time and I have algae pellets for some of my chaps tooo...

what about the rest of you?

xx

 

[dwarfgourami]

I feed the livebearers tropical flakes and the corys get ?tabimin tablets. All get the following: bloodworm, brine shrimp, daphnia, peas, spinach, chard, broccoli; about one live food meal a week and one or two veggies. Veggies mainly when we have suitable ones for dinner; I like the idea of the whole family (humans and fish) eating the same thing (and anyway I am too lazy to cook separately).

 

[paulw]

Does it have any detrimental effect if you just feed flakes to the fish?

 

[XKrinXerZ]

I heard that the number one causing home aquarium disease; byouncy problems is caused my long term feeding ur fish flakes. I don't know if its true or not but I think it is cuz i read it in my fish book; The Simple Guide To Freshwater Aquariums

 

[freddyk]

Long term feeding of just flakes will do the job and will not cause problems in itself, but variety is still the best method of feeding.

 

[XKrinXerZ]

really?

 

[FishEnthusiast]

Whether or not it is healthier in the long run, I feed a variety of food. I think about it like this, would I want to eat the same thing, like macaroni and cheese, every day for my entire life? I wouldn't want to, so I don't make my animals either.

 

[dwarfgourami]

Have heard that a diet of tropical flakes only can (though it may not always) cause constipation.
Anyway, I believe a varied diet will give the fish a more interesting life, so keep them happier. Veggies are good for clearing out the system. Also, most things take a little bit more time and effort to eat than flakes- I think the fish benefit from that exertion and become more alert. Tropical flakes would be a bit like eating school dinners every day instead of real food (though I admit the flakes are likely to be more nutritious).
Also, it's fun to think out little treats for them.
And it is quite clear that they get more enthusiastic about their "real" food. There is absolutely no need to don a diving suit and jump into the middle of the ocean - just feed a pea to a bunch of guppies and you've got an authentic feeding frenzy there in your living room!
Should have mentioned that my bloodworms etc arent' actually alive, I buy them jellied in little sachets (tetradelica).

 

[freddyk]

Have heard that a diet of tropical flakes only can (though it may not always) cause constipation

Overfeeding these foods can cause problems. This is dried, condensed food and this needs to be taken into account when the fish are fed. Some food say as much as '5' or '3' minutes on the package. Try a minute, it's usually plenty. Varied diet is ideal, but I like to stress prepared foods are fine for those who can't do it for whatever reasons, and shouldn't feel bad about prepared foods. That's all. Just use it wisely.

 

[@ombomb]

Personally I use flakes (Tetra / Lampeyes / Gouramis) / sinking tablets (Rams / RTBS / Plecs) for two days and then frozen food on the third day. As and when our LFS hhas live food in I'll buy it and use it that day. I've started putting in a bit of cucumber in every so often, i.e. when we've been to the supermarket and actually have some in the fridge.

 

[leafs]

This is a little off topic, but do most of you feed one type of food a day or mix different types in one day? I feed mine a variety of foods but I'm not sure if I should only feed one type each day. I only feed once a day. I'd like to make a schedule so I can make sure they're getting everything they need.

Thanks

 

[freddyk]

Leafs there is no right or wrong. since you feed once per day you can feed different foods every day, or flake food every other day with fresh in between, or flake every day and fresh once per week. I've known people to feed exclusively fresh food and use a vitamin supplement. There are so many ways to do it and none are wrong by any stretch.

I use prepared foods for about half the feedings, and various fresh foods for the other half, with no schedule - whatever I feel at the time.

 

[debiasir]

my crew get flakes every day, and then on occasions they get cucumber slices and peas (they love this) also on the morning of water change i feed them blood worm. Also every other day i drop an algea wafer in the tank for the Plec

 

[leafs]

I guess as long as it's a varied diet, they should do fine. Is there any type of prepared foods that are better than others? There's so many to choose from. Thanks freddyk.

 

[NottoosureN.Z]

When feeding peas or other things like cucumbers how should they be prepared?