How often do you feed your fish

[Mudbeaver]

We have different ways to set up tanks, and to do practically everything in this hobby to the point that arguments somtime errupts. In view of the nature of certain type of fish we keep and their different feeding habits i was wondering how people view feeding in general and manage that one. Do you altenate , do the same thing every day, go by species requirement or go by your own schedule, wake up feed the fish go to work , go to bed , and thats it. Let us know.

 

[usmc121581]

I used to feed whenever I would go down stairs and watch the tank, every 2-3 days. But now its every day.

 

[Mudbeaver]

I used to feed whenever I would go down stairs and watch the tank, every 2-3 days. But now its every day.

I'm planing on having anthias in my tank, with other fishes that i use to feed once a day . And i know from reading other threads that the anthias are difficult and seems to need feeding several times a day and to me it seems to be a build up machenism to me if i've ever saw one. So thats why i'm interested. I'm sure they'll survive with once per day feeding.

 

[tanked37]

You should always feed your fish the required amount as they demand per what is recommended for that species of fish. With that being said, your system should be able to handle (ie nutrient export demands) of the amount of food required by the species and number of fish you own. If a fish should be feed a lot (ie file fish maybe), then you should feed it a lot. If your tank can't handle it (algae, cyano, etc problems), then don't get the fish. I don't think feeding every other day or longer etc b/c you want nutrients to be low is the best for the fish. There are NO fish that eat every other day, or less than that. So, how I feed is irrelevant, b/c we have different tanks with different equipment with different fish.

With all that said, honestly 2-3 times per day is a good amount. Anything less, is just that, less than they eat.

 

[Mudbeaver]

You should always feed your fish the required amount as they demand per what is recommended for that species of fish. With that being said, your system should be able to handle (ie nutrient export demands) of the amount of food required by the species and number of fish you own. If a fish should be feed a lot (ie file fish maybe), then you should feed it a lot. If your tank can't handle it (algae, cyano, etc problems), then don't get the fish. I don't think feeding every other day or longer etc b/c you want nutrients to be low is the best for the fish. There are NO fish that eat every other day, or less than that. So, how I feed is irrelevant, b/c we have different tanks with different equipment with different fish.

With all that said, honestly 2-3 times per day is a good amount. Anything less, is just that, less than they eat.

I'm just asking, do you really believe that in nature these fish eat their full belly everyday.?

 

[mbingha]

You should always feed your fish the required amount as they demand per what is recommended for that species of fish. With that being said, your system should be able to handle (ie nutrient export demands) of the amount of food required by the species and number of fish you own. If a fish should be feed a lot (ie file fish maybe), then you should feed it a lot. If your tank can't handle it (algae, cyano, etc problems), then don't get the fish. I don't think feeding every other day or longer etc b/c you want nutrients to be low is the best for the fish. There are NO fish that eat every other day, or less than that. So, how I feed is irrelevant, b/c we have different tanks with different equipment with different fish.

With all that said, honestly 2-3 times per day is a good amount. Anything less, is just that, less than they eat.

It's a big ocean my friend, and there are plenty of fish with a slow metabolism and naturally eat only a couple of times per week. Predator fish such as eels come to mind for one.

 

[Allmost]

it depends on the fish you keep,

if predator, you feed it once a week.

if anthias, you feed it 4 times a day.

so what do you keep ?

in my reef tanks, I feed 2-3 times a day dry food, and 1-2 times a day frozen.

 

[tanked37]

I'm just asking,

Haha, are you just asking? That's just my opinion to you asking and you are still entitled to have yours. I'm ok with you feeding less than that. Sometimes I only feed once per day because I'm gone or something. Do whatever you feel is best for your tank and your fish. That's just what I do.

 

[Mudbeaver]

It's a big ocean my friend, and there are plenty of fish with a slow metabolism and naturally eat only a couple of times per week. Predator fish such as eels come to mind for one.

+1 on that one. Most fish spend more time searching for food than anything else, we pamper too much with food. Thats why you need so much skimming and other denitrifying junk , over feeding is as bad as under feeding. Once a day is healthy in my book, keeps them alert, they eat it all look for it don't spoil it and don't miss it. My 2 cent.

 

[tanked37]

+1 on that one. Most fish spend more time searching for food than anything else, we pamper too much with food. Thats why you need so much skimming and other denitrifying junk , over feeding is as bad as under feeding. Once a day is healthy in my book, keeps them alert, they eat it all look for it don't spoil it and don't miss it. My 2 cent.

Ok, that's great! But you weren't just asking, you had your opinion in which you were searching for confirmation from others.

 

[Mudbeaver]

Haha, are you just asking? That's just my opinion to you asking and you are still entitled to have yours. I'm ok with you feeding less than that. Sometimes I only feed once per day because I'm gone or something. Do whatever you feel is best for your tank and your fish. That's just what I do.

LOl its not because i ask that i don't have an opinion, you do what you must i just don't see the need for my tank. And i see it as over doing it. You have another approach fine lots of people do it your way and its fine. A guy i know goes on vacation for a month and feeds is fishes when comes back. And they're fine. To each is own. That why i've put the poll in . Different ways can stimulate conversation and ideas, if your affraid to see hear or read sorry.

 

[Mudbeaver]

it depends on the fish you keep,

if predator, you feed it once a week.

if anthias, you feed it 4 times a day.

so what do you keep ?

in my reef tanks, I feed 2-3 times a day dry food, and 1-2 times a day frozen.

Thats interesting do all the fish will eat the same stuff or do they have prefferences so you can isolate certain feeding methods. Like for my Tang i know i'll feed him algae which some fish wont go for, and feeding him twice wouldn't be a problem. but feeding another twice a day would be over doing it, thats my problem i'm facing. And can't really see how you go about scheduling these thing. without over doing it.

 

[Allmost]

Thats interesting do all the fish will eat the same stuff or do they have prefferences so you can isolate certain feeding methods. Like for my Tang i know i'll feed him algae which some fish wont go for, and feeding him twice wouldn't be a problem. but feeding another twice a day would be over doing it, thats my problem i'm facing. And can't really see how you go about scheduling these thing. without over doing it.

you feed mix. extra nori for tangs.

all fish eat frozen mysis.

 

[pkane11384]

Every other day I feed my fish. Mostly flake sometimes half a cube of mysis. About once a week I will do a large feeding of Rod's Food for the fish and corals. Usually this is just a day before I do a water change to keep the levels within range

 

[ifringe]

We feed once a day, although if we are trying to get someone out of hiding, we sometimes give a little treat.

 

[ca1ore]

I generally feed four times per day. Sheet of nori in the morning that the tangs, flame angel and dusky wrasse eats (sometimes some of the other fish). Flake/pellets around noon which all the fish will eat. Frozen (Mysis, brine, LRS, etc) then twice in the afternoon and late afternoon that al fish will eat. I have four Bartlett anthias, so the two late feedings are critical.

 

[M.phenax]

I have several tanks, so I feed according to the inhabitants requirements. Some fish are fed twice per day and other only once. My predators get fed once a day or world war III would break out. My bet would would be on trigger being the winner :fish1:

 

[msmith619]

I keep a 120 gallon reef tank (mostly LPS, Zoas, BTA's) and like an assortment of small, colorful dither fish moving around:
2 firefish
2 royal gramma
2 clown cardinals
1 rock beauty angel
2 yellow tail damsels
2 Talbot damsels
I feed three or four times daily but, very small amounts. I think in the Oceans fish feed constantly and rarely feed to full, fat tumies. A cube of Mysis, brine shrimp, Marine Cuisine, or the same amount of Rod's Food will last all day doiing that.
I also usually give a pinch of flakes each morning in case my frozen food is lacking something.
My fish are happy and I love feeding time.

 

[slief]

Once a day to every other day. My tank has been up and running for years and between small shrimp, cardinals breeding, clownfish breeding, pods and algae, I almost don't even need to feed at all as there I have a pretty diverse food chain going on in my tank. There was a time when I went years without feeding and my fish were always happy. I think the only reason I really feed these days is more for my own pleasure and piece of mind.

 

[LazRodriguez]

This is my current livestock minus corals.
I feed Nori in the morning and protein (mysis shrimp or cyclopeze) in the evenings. Fish are doing great.


Blacker Ice Clown
Black Clown
Midas Blenny
2 Yellow Watchman Gobies
Lyretail Anthias
Bengali Cardinal
Green Coris Wrasse
Sailfin Tang
Coral Beauty
Fiji Blue Devil Damsel
Red brittle starfish
Red bubble tip anemone
Mini Carpet anemone
Peppermint Shrimp
Blood Shrimp
Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp
2 Candy Stripped Pistol Shrimp
2 Sexy Shrimp
3 Super Tongan Nassarius Snail
5 Margarita Snails
Assortment of hermits