Feeding multiple times a day?

[PAXpress]

So I keep hearing feed more often less quantity, for multiple feedings a day... How is anyone able to sustain this? I barely get the time to feed every other day let alone daily or multiple times a day... I feed mainly frozen foods LRS herbivore mysis shrimp emerald diet etc and I do a fairly big feeding for my tanks. I feed manually and try to give my corals a good spot feeding by turning off some or most of the flow and manually feed them... I do have an apex so I could get an AFS and was thinking of doing this but then I worry about the pellet foods and how good they actually are for the fish compared to frozen, and if they will benefit the corals at all or even get to the corals? I was thinking of something like an AFS to do multiple daily feedings and then manually once a week do a good feeding and spot feed the corals then...? I guess I'm asking what you guys do what you recommend for me etc.
Stock list is a few tangs fox faced rabbit fish a chromi, clownfish bubble tip nems a cardinal starry blenny...

 

[cch1321]

I have a modified mini fridge auto feeder that feeds 4 times daily and I manually feed 3 times once I'm home. I have my light cycle synced up to start about when I get home from work.

I feed the corals before the lights come on as I'm leaving to go to work.

With the auto feeder dosing mysis and R.O.E. throughout the day, even if I'm out all day, it still gets them a few feedings.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

 

[PAXpress]

Ya I'm not so sure a mini fridge will work for me... space issues.

 

[sean357]

Think this comes more down to fish selection than anything else - I also feed once a day to every other day. That means no Anthias or other high metabolism low fat storage fish for me (or you)

 

[GimpyFin]

IMO, there's no problems with what you are doing currently. If you're feeding every other day, that's perfectly fine for most fish (Including the ones you have listed.) The only reason I started doing once a day (From every other) is because my mandarin will eat mysis and I just like to keep him well fed. Even then, I still skip days here and there. Corals will get most of what they need from the light, so they're of even less worry than the fish.

 

[PAXpress]

IMO, there's no problems with what you are doing currently. If you're feeding every other day, that's perfectly fine for most fish (Including the ones you have listed.) The only reason I started doing once a day (From every other) is because my mandarin will eat mysis and I just like to keep him well fed. Even then, I still skip days here and there. Corals will get most of what they need from the light, so they're of even less worry than the fish.

I did however want to get some anthias...

 

[GimpyFin]

I did however want to get some anthias...

Not all of them need frequent feedings. I have a bartlett that's been perfectly fine for about 4 years being fed once a day or every other day. I'd still have the other two if he wasn't such a bully.

 

[jda]

I use Ehiem Auto Feeder and New Life Spectrum Pellets for 3x automated feedings. Most days, I add in some Mysis or other frozen.

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

I set up the Eheim auto feeder to do 2 incredibly small servings during the day. I've also mixed in some reef chili and another coral feeder just to broadcast. I also feed frozen every other day, mostly for the anemones. My nitrates are also at 25 so that's fun.

 

[ktownhero]

I use Ehiem Auto Feeder and New Life Spectrum Pellets for 3x automated feedings. Most days, I add in some Mysis or other frozen.

I do exactly the same thing

 

[jacksonpt]

I set up the Eheim auto feeder to do 2 incredibly small servings during the day. I've also mixed in some reef chili and another coral feeder just to broadcast. I also feed frozen every other day, mostly for the anemones. My nitrates are also at 25 so that's fun.

What does "incredibly small servings" mean?

I'd love to get on a smaller/regular feeding schedule with the help of an auto feeder, but I've always worried about over feeding and the subsequent nutrient issues.

 

[PAXpress]

What does "incredibly small servings" mean?

I'd love to get on a smaller/regular feeding schedule with the help of an auto feeder, but I've always worried about over feeding and the subsequent nutrient issues.

This was kind of my worry... I feed what I feel like is a lot but its all at once every other day. I don't ever get the opportunity to feed daily and sometimes there is a multiple day gap where I don't have the chance to feed... Can auto feeders be relied on to keep the fish healthy?

 

[davocean]

For me small feedings are what they can get in about 30 seconds or less, and I also do an eheim auto feeder w/ NLS pellets.

I initially did this for anthia, but later I began to think this really is better for most all of my fish, and seems more natural to eat more than just one gutload a day.

While some people talk of their fish surviving, I still sometimes wonder if their fish are really all they can be health and color wise, I mean sure, your fish will survive being fed nothing but brine once a day, but will they be as colorful and disease resistant compared to a varied diet, and for me multiple feedings just seem best, just keep it to small doses.

The other cool thing for me is if I happen to stay away a night or two I don't even have to think about, they're fed.

 

[PAXpress]

For me small feedings are what they can get in about 30 seconds or less, and I also do an eheim auto feeder w/ NLS pellets.

I initially did this for anthia, but later I began to think this really is better for most all of my fish, and seems more natural to eat more than just one gutload a day.

While some people talk of their fish surviving, I still sometimes wonder if their fish are really all they can be health and color wise, I mean sure, your fish will survive being fed nothing but brine once a day, but will they be as colorful and disease resistant compared to a varied diet, and for me multiple feedings just seem best, just keep it to small doses.

The other cool thing for me is if I happen to stay away a night or two I don't even have to think about, they're fed.

Yes I really just wish there was a simple way to give them good food through an auto feeder... do you feel like with the pellets they are getting ample nutrition?

 

[hogfanreefer]

The problem with multiple very small feedings is some deliberate feeders would likely not get adequate food in tanks with big populations. It's nice that I can hand feed my CBB.

 

[davocean]

Yes I really just wish there was a simple way to give them good food through an auto feeder... do you feel like with the pellets they are getting ample nutrition?

Absolutely, NLS pellets are awesome, and I have some ocean nutrition formula one flakes crushed a little mixed in as well.

Auto feeder hits the surface, my vorts spread that stuff out pretty well, all get their share.

When I come home I have frozen that I give w/ a feeder tube as well, they'll get a couple feedings at night w/ that.

 

[bice0004]

Regarding feeding. I used to be into field trialing English springer spaniels. Food and nutrition were very important for a working dog to stay in top body condition during hunting season and year round field training. My dogs could eat, but I didn't let them eat till their fill. If I left food out or fed too much they would overeat and get fat. When they gained too much weight they would lose their stamina, and similar results would happen if they were too skinny. I learned to feed based off of observing their body condition and I would up my feeding amount during periods of high activity and reduce during low activity times?

So why would fish be any different? They will eat more than they should just like humans and dogs. Why would fish be healthier if they ate 4 times a day but achieved the same body condition of a fish fed every other day. People don't gain health by having numerous frequent meals. If they did, the latest health craze would be to constantly graze without ever eating a meal.

I watch the body condition of my fish and increase or decrease feeding based on those observations. Do fish need daily or multiple feedings a day? Short answer is no. Can you feed frequently sure, but in my opinion the health of your fish is not going to get better unless you were undernourishing them to begin with. Also keep in mind that if you overdo feeding they also may get unhealthy and or your water will be high in nutrients. So in my opinion, the optimum recipe for when and how much to feed should be based off body condition of the fish and nothing more. Just my 2 cents.

 

[jda]

I really don't care for the false equivalencies in fish and dogs. How about we compare them to Giraffes who eat all the time every day... or lions that might only eat ever week or two. None of this works.

I don't care how much anybody feeds their fish - they are yours. However, the vast majority don't do much more than graze and feed all day until they get large enough to spawn. Unless we are talking about the ambush predators, they are not periodic gorgers.

Did you all miss the Body for Life health craze from the 2000s? ...numerous, frequent, smaller meals in that one.

 

[GimpyFin]

I really don't care for the false equivalencies in fish and dogs. How about we compare them to Giraffes who eat all the time every day... or lions that might only eat ever week or two. None of this works.

:lmao:

 

[bice0004]

Analogy was with dogs. Body condition of the fish will tell you if you are feeding enough and if they are healthy, period. That was my point. OP mentioned about hearing that frequent feedings was recommended. Another poster eluded to the fish being healthier if you feed more frequent. I have experienced healthy fish without going to the trouble of multiple frequent feedings and they are thriving.

What do I care if people chase frequent feeding, but to suggest fish are healthier with more, than reference please.