
Here are a few points on selecting the optimal commercial food for your fish:
- Fresh food only – Pay attention to the expiration date. ...
- Protein-rich foods – Protein-rich foods are ideal for your guppies since they mimic guppies’ natural food. ...
- Veggie pallets – Veggie pallets contain plant and algae-based nutrients, along with calcium, iron, and vitamins B, C, D, and E. ...
What should I Feed my feeder?
If you’re expecting big fish, feed particles such as pellets, casters and corn. If the fishing is going to be tricky, take things steady with groundbait containing a few dead maggots, then up the feed content once the fish arrive. Bigger feeders don’t only come into play at the start of a session.
What do you feed your fish?
If you are looking for a food source, there are a number of very healthy prepared foods, from flakes and pellets to frozen complete diets, and specialty foods. If you do have a fish that really needs live foods, your best option is to set up a breeding program so that you can breed healthy live foods that you raised yourself.
What is a feeder fish for goldfish?
Goldfish Feeder Fish is a new breed of fish designed to feed your goldfish while you’re away, whether it be on vacation or simply at work. These fish are specially-bred with a larger appetite and a slower life cycle to eat more but live longer than other breeds of feeder fish.
What does a bottom feeder fish eat?
The bottom feeder’s primary food source is algae and decaying plant matter (detritus) from fish food to algae to uneaten fish pellets. Some bottom feeders like bristlenose plecos and corydoras can even resort to cannibalism if their usual prey is scarce.

How do you keep feeder fish alive?
Care Taking & TipsCheck the water parameters just as you would your predator tank.Do 50% water changes at least twice a month.Make sure to feed your feeder fish first (gut load) before offering those fish to your predator.More items...
Do I need to feed feeder fish?
Feeder fish need to be fed as often as that specific type of fish would normally be fed. If you have a goldfish that you feed twice per day for two minutes at a time, and all of a sudden you are using goldfish for feeder fish, the amount and time at which you feed them does not change.
How much do you feed feeder fish?
As for how much food to feed, a good rule of thumb is to feed no more than the fish will consume completely in five to ten minutes. 3 When in doubt, underfeed! You can always give them another small feeding if necessary. However, if you overfeed, the uneaten food will produce wastes that can be harmful to the fish.
How do you care for a feeder fish?
Feeder goldfish care is similar to other goldfish species care. They do best in a large tank with some vegetation and an open area for swimming. Keeping the fish in a bowl or small aquarium will cause the feeder goldfish stress. Ensure each feeder goldfish has 20 gallons of water to swim in.
Can feeder fish be kept as pets?
The close proximity and large numbers of fish living together means that diseases and parasites spread quickly. Feeder goldfish are, inherently, less healthy than goldfish that are bred to be pets due to these conditions. They are inexpensive, though, which makes them ideal for people who live feed.
How do I know if my fish is hungry?
How To Tell If Your Fish Is HungryYour fish is digging around the substrate (searching for food).Waiting and the top of the aquarium (for feeding time).Behavior changes (aggression).Noticeable weight/size changes.Slow or sluggish behavior.
Should I feed fish everyday?
For the most part, feeding your fish once or twice a day is sufficient. Some hobbyists even fast their fish one or two days a week to allow them to clear their digestive systems. Larger, more sedentary fish can go longer between meals than smaller, more active fish.
What happens if you accidentally feed your fish too much?
When you overfeed your fish, they produce a lot more waste than they normally would. That waste is what releases ammonia and nitrates into the water, which is of course not good. At the same time, uneaten food that is not removed from the fish tank also begins to decay, thus creating even more ammonia and nitrates.
How long can fish go without being fed?
Healthy adult fish can go for a week or two without feeding. However, young fish don't have the fat stores of adult fish and they cannot go without eating very long. That doesn't mean you should routinely skip feedings, but your fish can safely be left without food over a long holiday weekend.
Do feeder fish need air pump?
The answer is yes. If any of the following are true then you should add an air pump to make absolutely sure that your fish has enough oxygen: What is this? 1) Your water appears very still and your filter isn't causing much surface movement (you may also want to check that your filter is big enough for your tank!)
Why are my feeder fish dying?
There are many reasons why fish in your tank keep dying. A few reasons include stress, incorrect tank setup, overfeeding, diseases, and much more. To a beginner, it could look like your fish died for no reason whatsoever.
Do feeder fish need a heater?
In summary: Goldfish don't need heaters – most of the time. If the conditions of your home or outdoor environment get too cold for either fancy or common Goldfish, you may need a heater. Remember that Goldfish are endothermic, meaning their metabolism is controlled by the external environment.
What kind of bottom feeder can live with a Betta?
Bottom feeder fish like corydoras and plecos can co-exist with a Betta if there are no dominant species in the tank. But it's best to avoid bottom...
What is the best bottom dwelling fish?
The best bottom feeders for a tropical tank are Kuhli Loach, Corydoras Catfish, Plecostomus, and Otocinclus. These fish eat algae and decaying plan...
What do bottom feeder catfish eat?
The scaleless bottom feeders are a diverse group that includes algae eaters, small fish lovers, and even those who prefer prepared food. There is a...
Does shrimp eat fish poop?
Shrimp won't eat fish waste like poop, unfortunately. If they do so by mistake, the shrimp may have mistaken its mimic of food for actual sustenanc...
What do bottom feeders eat in the ocean?
Jellyfish and squid are food sources for deep-sea bottom feeders. This means that when these animals feed, they take up carbon dioxide, preventing...
Do snails really clean fish tanks?
In freshwater aquariums, snails can be an essential part of the ecosystem as long they are chosen for their ability to clean up waste. These gastro...
How do you remove fish poop from aquarium?
Vacuuming the gravel every week will keep your tank cleaner and healthier. Vacuum up all of that fish waste, uneaten food particles, or dead bits f...
How long can fish go without being fed?
The fish tank can go without food for up to three weeks before they start feeling the effects of malnutrition. Avoid leaving your fish tank in this...
How do I make sure all fish get food?
If you're trying to create a more natural environment for your fish, then they must have access and opportunity at every turn. One path of doing th...
How do you feed a middle feeder fish?
There is no set rule on how often you should feed your fish. It depends entirely upon their size and type and the environment they live in. Most mi...
What do bottom feeders like to eat?
What do bottom feeders eat? Bottom-feeding fish is the garbage disposal of your aquarium; Bottom feeders eat anything left at the bottom. The bottom feeder’s primary food source is algae and decaying plant matter (detritus) from fish food to algae to uneaten fish pellets.
How do I make sure my bottom-feeder gets food?
Feeding dry foods across the water surface will help ensure that you have maximum dispersal in your tank.
Can you have too many bottom feeders in your tank?
As long as there are no dominant species in your tank, bottom feeders can co-exist with other fish.
Do bottom feeders eat fish poop?
Fish poop is one of the most significant sources of nutrients for algae to grow. But bottom feeders are not after nutrient-rich food.
Do bottom feeders eat live plants?
Most bottom feeders are herbivores. They’ll only eat decomposing plant matter and algae that have already settled down to the tank bottom.
Commonly Asked Questions about Bottom Feeder Fish Aquarium Care ( FAQ)
Bottom feeder fish like corydoras and plecos can co-exist with a Betta if there are no dominant species in the tank. But it’s best to avoid bottom feeders known for their predatory nature or territorial behavior.
Conclusion
If you have a bottom feeder in your aquarium, they need to be fed. Many people think that “bottom feeders” only eat the algae and other detritus off the tank floor, but this is not true. Bottom feeders also enjoy eating small pieces of food such as flakes or pellets.
Why are feeder fish so overcrowded?
These fish are almost always overcrowded, and this results in a number of problems such as a suppressed immune system and restricted growth . Also, these fish are generally malnourished. Not only does this result in ...
Can you get a ten cent fish?
If you are looking for a pet, don' t look at the feeder fish. It may be tempting to get a ten or twenty cent fish, but that fish will probably be unhealthy and unlikely to survive.
Can you feed a fish a lot of feeder fish?
You could be feeding your fish a lot of feeder fish, and still effectively starving him to death! Further, since their immune systems are suppressed, these fish are often disease -ridden, and one of the best ways to transfer disease from one fish to another is to have a fish eat an ill fish (or a fish that just died from a particular disease).
Can feeder fish infect other fish?
Also, if you are looking to get a fish to add to an existing tank, the feeder fish are prone to be carrying diseases and parasites, which can infect your other fish, not only resulting in the loss of your new fish, but possibly decimation of your entire fish tank.
How many seconds should I feed a fish?
How many seconds should I feed? If you are starting to feed a new pond, start slow with 3 to 5 second feed events twice a day and monitor feeding activity. Work your way up from there. The general rule of thumb is not to feed more than the fish will clean up in 5 to 10 minutes.
When is the best time to feed fish?
Usually sunrise and dusk are the best times to feed fish. This is when fish are most active and are looking for food. It is best not to feed during the hottest parts of the day. And yes, fish will feed in the middle of the night too (great option when you have birds and ducks eating your fish feed).
Appearance and Behavior
Feeder goldfish are available in various colors, including orange, red, white, black, yellow, and blueish grey. Juvenile fish have a dark grey, black, or brown hue, with golden patches on their head. Adults are orange with a gold-and-white appearance.
Feeder Goldfish Care
Feeder goldfish care is similar to other goldfish species care. They do best in a large tank with some vegetation and an open area for swimming. Keeping the fish in a bowl or small aquarium will cause the feeder goldfish stress. Ensure each feeder goldfish has 20 gallons of water to swim in.
Habitat and Tank Requirements
Feeder goldfish live in slow-moving waters with muddy bottoms and vegetation in the wild.
Diet and Feeding
Wild feeder goldfish are omnivores. Omnivores eat plants and meat. Feeder goldfish need a balanced diet of plants and protein to thrive.
Breeding
Breeding feeder goldfish in aquarium tanks is difficult. While most aquarists breed them for use as live food, doing so in a tank is challenging. Invest in a separate breeding tank. A 10–30 gallon tank is ideal.
Should You Get a Feeder Goldfish for Your Aquarium?
Feeder goldfish are brightly colored and hardy, making them an interesting addition to any tank. Remember to quarantine new fish before adding them into a community tank, as feeder goldfish often carry parasites and other contagious diseases.
What to feed a fish when fishing?
What you put in to start depends on the venue and situation. If you’re expecting big fish, feed particles such as pellets, casters and corn. If the fishing is going to be tricky, take things steady with groundbait containing a few dead maggots, then up the feed content once the fish arrive.
What material is best for fishing a feeder?
Using a fluorocarbon hooklength is a big advantage when fishing the feeder. This material is almost invisible in water, a big advantage when the water becomes clearer and fish become wary in winter. This material is also stiff, making it less prone to tangling than mono, and ideal when casting a long way on the feeder.
Why braid for bream fishing?
In cool water, fish don’t move as much and take baits with less aggression.
What is an open end feeder?
Open-end feeders are great when feeding a lot of fine particles that would easily escape from a cage feeder on the way through the water. Finely chopped worms are lethal in an open-end feeder, kept tight and in the key area where you need them on the bottom.
When to use a groundbait for feeder fishing?
Using the right groundbait is essential when open-end feeder fishing on stillwaters. In my eyes, no matter what time of year it is, you need a fishmeal-based groundbait mix. In winter, however, I use a toned-down sweet fishmeal- style mix.
When do fish move out of the water?
When the temperature drops, fish on big open-water lakes naturally move further out. It’s not always the easiest and most comfortable way of fishing, but making the effort to fish further out will pay off when the temperature drops. Fish move into deeper water, and often huddle in the deepest areas of large lakes in the winter.
Is fishing the feeder accurate?
But accuracy is more important than ever in winter. These days, tackle is so good it’s very easy to be accurate too. Most reels come with a line clip, which you can use to make sure you hit the same distance every time.
