Fish Tank Tutor

Fish feeding the right way will make for a fish tank full of happy fish.  It’s not rocket science, but there are also some feeding mistakes you can make that can hurt your fish tank in the long run.  Some basic ideas, including “The Golden Rule”, will ensure your fish are happy and healthily fed.

The Fish Feeding Golden Rule

The golden rule of tropical fish feeding is “Do not over feed your fish”.  You’ll notice this on the back of most types of fish food you purchase off the shelf.  What you might not realize is that extreme over feeding could be very unhealthy for your fish.  Every time you come near the tank you’ll see your fish heading to their normal feeding position.  Don’t mistake this for your fish truly being hungry or under fed.  The reality is that your fish could go days without eating and be just fine.  In their natural environment this is exactly what happens.  In nature, fish eat food when they find it.  This doesn’t always happen twice a day.

How Often Should You Feed Your Fish?

You’ll have to feel your fish out on this one.  The ideal fish feeding frequency varies by fish.  Twice a day is preferred by most fish.  It really goes back to being careful not to over feed.  You could feed you fish more food less often, or less food more often.  You just do not want any food leftover a couple of minutes after feeding. 

Leftovers Are Bad For Your Water

You might not realize the full effects of left over fish food.  Leftover fish food is a very common root of cloudy fish tank water and algae growth.  This is mostly because of the affect it can have on your chemical levels.  Spiking nitrates and weakening pH are just some of the chemical problems that excessive fish feeding can cause.

Fish Feeding Times

Your fish will come to expect the feeding times.  It’s also a good idea to get on a regular feeding schedule to make things easier on you.  It’s just easier to remember if you have a regular schedule of say once in the morning and once at night.  Pick a couple of times a day that work for you and try to stick to it.  Your fish will appreciate this consistency with their feeding times.

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