Tropical fish are fun to own and will thrive in your home.Keeping their tank clean and feeding them properly is part of this.It's not difficult to feed your fish the best kinds of food.If you avoid simple mistakes, you will be able to keep your fish happy.
Step 1: You can find out how your fish eats.
There are different types of fish in the tank.You will need to know their preferred way of feeding because their mouths are designed to approach food in a certain way.Look at the fish's mouth to see where it likes to eat.Surface feeders have mouths that reach up to the water.Hatchetfish and gouramies can be found on the surface.The fish like having their food floating in the air.barbs and tetras have forward-facing mouths and prefer food that sinks from the surface, but not necessarily the floor of the tank.They prefer tablets that can be stuck to the side of the tank, which allows them to eat in full view of you and anyone you want to see your fish.Bottom feeders like to eat food at the bottom of the tank.The catfish are popular bottom feeders.If you have bottom feeders, make sure you get heavier food that will sink to the bottom of the tank.
Step 2: What will your fish eat?
Depending on the kind of food they eat, tropical fish can fit into three different categories.If you don't know what kind of fish you have, check with the pet store or the vet.They are called conjugates.The fish are large and rich in calories.They will most likely have large mouths for tearing their food apart.The other fish in your tank may try to eat smaller fish, so be careful if you have predator fish.There are herbivores.These fish have small stomachs and flat teeth.They want plant and vegetable matter, and you will need to feed them in small amounts.There are omnivores.Most aquarium fish will eat a wide variety of food.They are easier to take care of because of this variety.
Step 3: You should get the right type of food.
Most of the foods available in a pet store will provide your pets with the needed vitamins and minerals.There are many different brands and types of food.The best option for the fish you have is to talk to the pet store.There are dry foods.These are the most common types of food and can be found in a variety of forms.To make sure your fish get enough to eat, you need to use a lot of flakes.Smaller tablets can be found at the bottom of the tank for bottom feeders and scavengers.There are frozen foods.You need to vary them more than with dry foods to make up for deficiencies.Dropping frozen foods into the tank is a great way to store them.The water in the tank is warm enough to thaw out the food in your fish.Foods that have been refrozen should be avoided.Live food.Some fish enjoy chasing food.Large worms like earthworms and mealworms are popular with larger animals.Brine shrimp and krill are small creatures.Most pet stores don't have large supplies of live foods, so you will need to get a separate supplier or be prepared to raise your own.Vegetables from around your home can be used to supplement your fishes diet.Take a small piece of a carrot, potato, or cucumber and place it on the bottom of the tank for your fish to eat.Don't forget to remove what's left the next day.
Step 4: It's a good idea to sprinkle food.
The process of feeding your fish is easy.If you put food in the tank, your fish will go at it.Your fish will finish their food in about 5 minutes.You could leave you with extra food to clean up.An apparatus or accessory can be used to feed your fish.Automatic feeders release food at preset times.You can get rings, tubes, and tongs to help you keep control of food.Before you get a feeding tube or ring, make sure you don't get into fights with your fish.
Step 5: You should feed your fish once a day.
The metabolism of fish is tied to the water temperature in the tank.It will take about 16 to 24 hours for your fish to fully digest their food in your tank.One feeding per day is enough to make sure they get the proper portion and time to digest it.You can feed more than once a day.It should be in smaller portions if you do that.It's a good idea to avoid overfeeding.Eating too much will cause your fish to become bloated, which is the most common mistake people make.The fish will float to the top if they have been overfed.They will make it harder to clean the tank.
Step 6: Don't beg fish.
When your fish are familiar with their environment, they may swim near the surface to beg for food.No matter how cute it is, don't give in.They need to be fed once or twice per day.A hungry fish is a healthy fish.If your fish are underfed, they will look weak and fight each other more often.
Step 7: The tank needs to be cleaned.
All the excess food should be removed from the tank after your fish have eaten.Leftover food won't be eaten.It will be bad for your tank.Make sure your fish tank is clean by getting rid of anything they don't eat.
Step 8: Diversify your food.
You should vary the types of food.More types of foods mean more health benefits.Different foods will keep your fish from getting bored.They won't eat as much if they are bored.Even a once a week treat, like some brine shrimp in addition to flakes, can be a good way to help your fish stay healthy, strong, and colorful.
Step 9: Young fish should be fed more often.
Young fish should be fed more frequently but in smaller meals.If your fish is less than a month old, you may need to give it as many as six meals a day.You will have to watch them more carefully, but give them small portions for their stomachs.
Step 10: Detailed instructions should be left for others.
If other people are going to be taking care of your fish, make sure you know how to feed it.It may be easier for them to divide the food in advance so they don't have to clean it up afterwards.