Having a fish at home as a pet shouldn’t be difficult. With automatic tanks, cleaning the tank isn’t as difficult as it used to be. Some problems new fish owners have are what to feed their fish and how frequently to feed their fish.
Assuming that by pet fish, we’re talking about fish kept in an aquarium, here’s a guide to feeding your pet fish:
Determine the Kind of Food Your Fish Eats
Different fish have certain food they eat, depending on the type of fish. Some fish eat worms, some fish other fish, and some fish are okay being fed with fish feed alone. An excellent way to determine what’s best for your fish is to ask those selling fish feed or from a vet or a fish expert.
How often do I feed my fish?
Again, this varies depending on the fish species. Still, generally, your fish should be okay with being fed once or twice a day, especially if your fish is omnivorous or carnivorous. The reason is that they tend to have larger stomachs. Herbivores may require being fed several tiny bits throughout the day. You may consider getting an aquarium that can sustain plant life so such fish will have access to food whenever they need to.
When should I Feed my Pet fish?
This depends on the nature of your fish. Does it hide from the light, or does it run from light? If your fish is nocturnal, a good habit is to feed it just before turning the lights in the tank off. If you’re feeding it twice a day, feed it at dusk and shortly before dawn.
Once again, consider getting a good timetable from your vet, those who sell fish feed, or from a fish expert.
How much should I feed My Fish?
Well, your fear with rationing should be more on overfeeding than underfeeding. Leftover food can become toxic for your fish. To find out how much your fish eats, put a certain amount of feed into the water. Whatever is left after five minutes is excess. If nothing is left, give the fish more. This would help you gauge how much your fish eats in one seating.
One sign that your fish is hungry is that it literally follows you as much as possible and does so at the water’s surface. Spend some time studying your fish to know how much your fish eats and how often.
Conclusion
The first step in feeding your fish is establishing what kind of fish you have. Ask them at the shop you bought the fish from. If you’re unsure, consult with a fish expert online or physically. You can send a snapshot or even search online for fish that fit the description of your fish.
Once you’ve established the type of fish and what it eats, take some time to discover the right amount of food to feed your fish and how frequently. Note when they’re hungry and take note of excess food.