Feeding patterns...

[Nanook]

iFrag, since you just joined in December 2009, I don't think you fall into the veteran fishkeeper category Perhaps you have been taking advice from the local fish store guys and what works for you is great, however, I am really looking for some solid guidance from veteran fish keepers and/or fish biologists.

 

[Toddrtrex]

At least twice a day (( on average )) and sometimes 3 times a day. And that doesn't count "snacks" --- which are just a pinch of some Spectrum pellets. Most of my feedings are frozen -- LifeLine's Herbivore mix, Rod's food (( 3 types )) and some prime reef.

There will be times (( weekends mostly )) that I will skip a day, mainly due to me being too busy.

Until a couple of months ago when I sold them, my oldest fish was a pair of Clarkiis that I had for 10 years, and would spawn every 2 weeks or so, they had been doing great on that feeding schedule.

 

[GoingPostal]

I feed every day, mostly frozen mysis, homemade mix, chopped clam, squid, krill, etc. Also algea sheets 4-5 times a week, the trigger loves them but they are in there for the foxface, flake very occansionally and not much on pellets, none of my fish seem to like them, I've been meaning to try NLS though. Got a sample of that gel IO food which seems to be a hit and easier to feed than frozen.

 

[iFrag]

iFrag, since you just joined in December 2009, I don't think you fall into the veteran fishkeeper category Perhaps you have been taking advice from the local fish store guys and what works for you is great, however, I am really looking for some solid guidance from veteran fish keepers and/or fish biologists.

Not everyone with saltwater fish tanks are a member of RC. The reason why I joined was to share my thoughts and also build up on my understandings on how to make my aquarium a better place for the inhabitants and i'm sure that goes for anyone who has an aquarium. You really shouldn't judge people. I have been around since 91(back in the vho era) and if my way of feeding made any offense then SORRY. Its what I gotta do to make my system run in good order.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Ifrag, when you feed more, it increases nitrates? How so? Are the fish not eating the "extra" food? What type of fish do you keep?

 

[Paul B]

It really depends on what type of fish you have and what you are feeding.
Every day my fish get a nice supply of new born brine shrimp, but I have a bunch of tiny gobies and blue striped pipefish so they need that type of food.
Many of my other fish are spawning so they need to be fed a certain type of food which is not flakes. They get live blackworms about every other day. This food is to supply the oil that almost all fish need and it keeps them in breeding condition and from from disease.
I also feed normal things like clams, shrimp and frozen mysis because different fish require different foods. There is an automatic feeder in my tank that adds some pellets and a few flakes for the tangs, only because there is no algae in my tank now and I don't feed them every day. These things are soaked with fish oil.
Some fish like moorish Idols should be fed at least three times a day and mandarins should have pods all day.
Seahorses also should be fed a few times a day, every day.
Some of my fish are 18 years old and most of them live long enough to die of old age.
The tank has been running like this for about 38 years.

 

[Theo1972]

i feed my fish 5x a day but smaller portions, cause i knwo in the wild they eat constantly...no, no one said to feed alot..but more times at smaller portions is how i do it...no nitrates, and its allll consumed. they can even go for more...mind u i make my own fish food.

 

[tibob32]

2-3 times a day. NLS Pellets, frozen mysis
1-2 week cyclopeeze, nori.

I wish I could get my hands on blackworms.

fishes: 2x clowns, 1x sixline, 1x foxface, 1x leopard wrasse. SPS tank

 

[Chelsey]

I am not in the 15 year category, but I've been around for a little while. I generally feed frozen at least once, preferably twice daily. The "thaw list" includes: PE mysis, enriched brine, roe, beefheart, Rod's food, cyclopeeze. Nearly every time I walk by the tank the fish get a pinch of NLS pellets or Formula 2 flake.

 

[jd474]

It really depends on what type of fish you have and what you are feeding.

+1. I'm in the everyday category, w/certain species getting fed up to 3 times (anthias, pipefish, seahorses, etc.). PE mysis and frozen cyclopeeze are daily staples, along with live (enriched) artemia, krill, clam, nori, and occasionally pellets or salmon for a treat.

I believe proper husbandry and feeding (i.e. draining pack juice) does not have any negative impact on water quality.

 

[small alien]

frozen mysis and roe 2 times daily with the flow off for at least 1/2 hour each time. I have dragonets and a pipefish that need time to eat without the food flying all over.