Butterflies and Dwarf Angels Feeding Frequency

[FlyPenFly]

I have a copperband butterfly that eats great. He likes everything frozen.

I also have a Potter's Angelfish who has been very reef safe and eats mysis.

I've been feeding two cubes a day, one in the morning, one at night.

I've been thinking about reducing my feeding to once a day but I'm worried about health by doing that.

Thoughts for these sensitive fish?

 

[maikoa02]

Still feed 2x/day but feed 1/2 cubes instead of whole.

 

[Ambition]

IMO most fish that we keep should be fed at least three times per day. Some can do with less and others with much more. In the wild, most fish are accustomed to feeding throughout the day as they come across food and typically it isn't a ton at once. The exceptions can be found when looking at predators like lionfish, eels, scorpionfish, etc. which don't eat every day (and typically get fed 3-4c per week). It doesn't always mean feeding more, but feeding more often. Between the two fish mentioned I would break the cube into three to four pieces and feed them three to four times per day. Depending on how many other fish you have, you may need more than just one cube.

 

[accordsirh22]

^ this

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

If those are your only two fish, you need to feed less.

Most fish seem to adapt and do just fine on two feedings per day. I wouldn't drop it to one. As other note, fish in the wild tend to eat multiple times during the day and might appreciate more frequent, smaller meals, but that doesn't seem to be necessary. Fish in the wild expend more energy.

 

[FlyPenFly]

I have some others including some clowns and wrasses but I have a decent pod population. I think I might try to do the half cubes.

 

[caribfan]

Just out of curiosity, why do you want to reduce feedings? I'm assuming it is to help with Nutrient management? Which foods are you feeding? Perhaps changing to a cleaner better quality food would allow you to feed the same amount with better nutrient management. For my money, feeding time is one of the most enjoyable parts of keeping fish.