Feeding (very large) fish only once day?

[Tango451]

If I wanted to cut back on feeding for algae control, phosphate control, nitrate control etc for my reef tank. Is it ok even to feed very large fish 3 full grown purple tangs, 1 full grown vlamingii tang etc only once a day (spectrum pellets and seaweed)?

I usually like feed my fish throughout the day because they are always hungry and try my best to put only the amount they can all eat when I put food in.

I was just wondering about this once a day feeding and if so about how much should I feed them when I do? The last thing I want to do is starve my fish

 

[Moort82]

Are you trying to reduce the amount of algae in the tank by reducing the input or nutrients or to leave the fish hungry so they begin to eat it?
I'd always go from more feedings throughout the day and if you are only feeding once, just split that amount of food into two or more feedings. Basically its not how often you feed that's the problem but how much. Most fish are designed for little and often so large single feeds aren't ideal.

The problem is tangs are poo machines and you have one of the biggest species there. You might be better off just upgrading your skimmer and phos removal rather than letting them go hungry, as competition for food is normally where aggression begins.

 

[o2manyfish]

In my old Fish only tank I kept multiple tangs together and only fed them once a day. The fish were fat and healthy and lived long lives. I didn't have a full grown Vlamingi, but groups of zebrasoma, pairs of nasos, Powder Blue and Hippos were all fat and thick with only a single feeding. Some of the fish I had for over 9 years.

Dave B

 

[anbosu]

They should be fine, but I would improve your nutrient export before you reduced feedings if they are eating all of the food you're providing.