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what to feed my fish when out of food

by Warren Boehm Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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14 Things to Feed Your Goldfish When You’re Out of Food

  1. Green, Leafy Vegetables. Goldfish are especially fond of lettuce, kale, and spinach. ...
  2. Peas. Peas are good for a lot of reasons. ...
  3. Sweet Potato. Sweet potatoes are chock-full of beneficial nutrients for both fish and humans. ...
  4. Zucchini. Zucchini is another highly nutritious vegetable. ...
  5. Cucumber. ...
  6. Raspberries. ...
  7. Oranges. ...
  8. Strawberries. ...
  9. Gel Food. ...
  10. Hard-Boiled Egg Yolk. ...

More items...

Cooked vegetables (peas, cauliflower, pumpkin, carrots, etc.), boiled or steamed, are great food alternatives to fish food flakes once in a while for your omnivorous and herbivorous aquarium fish. You can even feed some fish (goldfish and koi in particular) cooked rice or oatmeal.Apr 12, 2021

Full Answer

What can you feed a fish besides fish food?

What Should You Feed Your Fish?

  • Dry Food: Dry food is usually best for herbivore and omnivore fish, as it contains dried algae and plant matter that they need to stay healthy and grow.
  • Freeze-Dried: Planktons, brine shrimps, bloodworms and krill are some of the favorites of omnivore and carnivore fish.
  • Fresh: Just like us, fish prefer fresh food. ...

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What "human" food can I Feed my Fish?

  • Krill
  • Brine shrimps or any shrimp (dried or frozen)
  • Blood worms
  • Small insects
  • Fish flakes
  • Tubifex Worms
  • Larvae of different insects (ideal larvae are of insects that are found close to the fresh waters)

What fish are safe to feed with?

What fish are safe to eat depends on the area your fish is coming from. Fishing areas in the red zone include Cabrillo Pier, Seal Beach, White Point, Pier J, Belmont Pier and Point Vicente as well as the piers in Santa Monica, Venice, Marina Del Rey, Redondo and Hermosa Beach.

How to properly feed your fish?

  • Dry foods. These are the most common types of foods, and can come in various forms including flakes, pellets, tablets, and sticks. ...
  • Frozen foods. ...
  • Live foods. ...
  • You can also supplement your fishes’ diet with vegetables from around your home. ...

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What can I give my fish if I run out of food?

During the first 2 or 3 days without fish food, aquarium fish will eat algae and scavenge for leftovers. After this there are several alternatives such as vegetables (lettuce, cucumber and zucchini) or meat (beef heart, cod or tilapia).

What human food can fish eat?

Green foods are well worth trying, as are some fruits. Blanched lettuce and cooked peas and spinach are enjoyed by most herbivorous fish, while suckermouth catfish like plecs will also happily graze on raw courgette, cucumber and sweet potatoes, even slices of melon!

How long can fish survive without food?

Don't Feed Your Fish As for food, freshwater fish are quite capable of going for several days without a meal. 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.

How can fish go without food?

Large or older fish simply have more body mass and fat reserves they can draw upon. Thus, for example, an adult chocolate cichlid can go significantly longer without fish food than a golden pencilfish.

Is bread good for fish?

Eating bread is bad for fish health because it contains too many carbs and, depending on the bread variety, too much fat for their digestive system to handle properly. Fish require a varied diet of protein and nutrients, which makes bread a bad choice when feeding your fish.

Do fish eat biscuits?

Biscuits are high in carb and sugar. Fish don't need this much of sugars and carbs. So, don't feed any sort of biscuit or cookie to your pet fish, save them for yourself. Biscuit can cause fish constipation and stomach swelling that can lead to other problems as well.

Will my fish be OK without food for 3 days?

Most healthy aquarium fish can go three days to a week without eating. However, it usually isn't recommended to go more a day or two without feeding unless completely necessary.

What happens if I forget to feed my fish?

Fish can go a week or two without a meal without a problem in most cases. Fish in well established tanks can last even longer, since they are eating planaria and other bugs, live plants in planted tanks and almost any fish will try some algae out if its the only thing around.

How do I feed my fish when on holiday?

Automatic feeders are another option; set to dispense a precise amount of food at set times during the day. These are used by many fishkeepers as the usual feeding method, so the holiday period just requires enough food to be placed into the feeder to last the duration of the break.

Can fish survive 4 days without food?

A healthy, grown-up aquarium fish can go from 3 days to 1 whole week, without eating any food. Some fish species can even live for more than 2 weeks without eating. Whether in nature or in an aquarium – an adult fish has sufficient body mass and fat reserves to skip a couple of meals once in a while.

Do fishes sleep?

While fish do not sleep in the same way that land mammals sleep, most fish do rest. Research shows that fish may reduce their activity and metabolism while remaining alert to danger. Some fish float in place, some wedge themselves into a secure spot in the mud or coral, and some even locate a suitable nest.

How do I know my fish are 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.

What can you feed a fish instead of fish food?

So what can you feed your fish instead of fish food in such instances? If your fishes accept plant-matter (most tropical fish do), the best option is to feed them blanched vegetables such as zucchini, lettuce, spinach, cucumber, and kale.

What to do if your fish is meaty?

In case your fish only accepts meaty foods, offer them small pieces of seafood like fish and shrimp. White-fish-fillet, especially from tilapia, cod, and coley, is good, but avoid oily fish as that tends to be a bit too messy. One other alternative, albeit not being a food alternative, is to fast your fish until you can go out for supplies as most ...

What do goldfish eat?

Let me say you goldfish will appreciate almost as they would any other food if you place fresh food in the aquarium, which includes most vegetables that other tropical fish enjoy like zucchini, cucumber, spinach, and peas. As I mentioned before, remember to remove the peas cover before feeding them to your goldfish.

How to soften peas for fish?

First, put the veggies in boiling water for a minute or two and then cold water right after making sure they are sufficiently tender for your fish to consume. I recommend removing any seeds in the greens as well.

Can you feed fish peas?

Peas are an alternative as well, but make sure you pull the cover off before feeding them to your fish. As much, only give your fish one, maybe two peas through the week because too many peas can cause digestive issues in tropical fish.

Can bread kill fish?

Bread is made from wheat and contains yeast and preservatives all of which will cause bloating, constipation, and all sorts of digestive issues, which when not resolved will kill your fish. Be that as it may, a pinch of bread will tide over the most resilient aquarium fish until you get to the store for more fish food.

Can fish tell the difference between dog food and fish food?

I’m convinced that like bread, your fish cannot tell the difference between tiny chunks of dog food and fish food. This means that whatever your reason is for offering your fish dog food, the fish will most likely devour the food to its own detriment.

Alternative Fish Food for Herbivore and Omnivore Aquarium Fish

Similar to human beings, fish have nutritional requirements necessary for healthy growth and survival:

Alternative Fish Food for Carnivore Aquarium Fish

Herbivore and omnivore fish are easier to care for since there are many options of human food to feed them.

How Long Can Fish Survive Without Food?

A grown, healthy fish can survive from four to seven days without a feeding.

Want to Learn More on How to Take Care of Your Fish?

As a fish pet owner, it’s important to educate yourself constantly on how to best care for your fish.

What vegetables can fish eat?

Vegetables, especially green, leafy vegetables, are a fish favorite. Cut lettuce and spinach into tiny pieces so that your fish can eat them easily. Try boiling or blanching the vegetables beforehand to make them easier to digest.

What do carnivorous fish eat?

Carnivorous fish normally eat other fish in the wild. Most fish have a hard time processing fat, so stick with low-fat, or fat-free fish, such as tilapia. Dice the food into small pieces for your fish.

Can cats eat fish food?

Dog and cat food is formulated for our furry pets, not fish! It is usually high in fat, and difficult for fish to digest. They may enjoy eating it, but it will damage their digestive tracts in the long run.

Can fish eat boiled peas?

Most fish will eat boiled peas. In fact, some fish experts recommend feeding fish peas periodically to help prevent constipation. Remove the skins from the peas and break them into small pieces before feeding them to your fish.

Do shrimp like egg yolks?

Small fish and shrimp really enjoy egg yolks. Egg yolks are high in fat, so do not overdo it! Grate a hard-boiled egg yolk and add a few sprinkles to your tank as a special treat.

Can fish go hungry if they are out of fish food?

If you are out of fish food, there is no need for your fish to go hungry! There are plenty of fish food alternatives in your refrigerator, and even in your backyard. Your fish may even enjoy a brief change in diet!

You Can Make Your Own Fish Food For Carnivorous Fish Out Of Worms, Crickets, and Other Insects

Insects offer a good amount of protein which is important for carnivorous fish. They can be grown alongside the system easily or caught by traps. Preparing your own vermicompost or insect trap will make them easily available as a backup food source or to cut down cost of fish food.

Duckweed, Azolla, and Algae Are Suitable Substitutes For Fish Food With Good Protein Content

Some plants provide good protein content like algae, azola, and duckweed. These aquatic plants grow naturally and you could feed them to omnivorous or herbivorous fishes like Tilapia and Koi. Growing your own aquatic plants cuts down the cost of feeding and provides an emergency food source for your fish.

Catfish and Pangasius Are Essentially Bottomfeeders That Essentially Eat Anything Even Chicken Manure

Catfish and fishes from the genus pangasius eat anything, even each other. These are bottom feeders that will survive even without eating for prolonged periods of time. In developing countries, some aquaponics systems grow chickens in a large cage on top of a pond of catfish.

What to feed a fish when you run out of fish food?

Suitable vegetables to feed to your fish include: Cucumber, zucchini, lettuce, spinach, peas (without out skin) or brussels sprouts.

How to feed fish after boiling?

When feeding small fish, try cutting the vegetables in small “bite-sized” pieces. Don’t add it all at once because all uneaten vegetables will start to rot and pollute your water.

How long can a fish go without food?

Fish are resilient animals that can handle some time without food. When you’ve got a well established aquarium your fish can go without food for up to 3 days as there is algae, microfilm and leftover-food for them to feed on.

Why can't fish eat bread?

A lot of people want to feed bread when they have nothing else to feed their fish. Aquarium fish do not handle bread well because it will expand in their stomach. The expanded bread is a risk to the health of your fish as it could cause serious constipation.

Why do fish eat all the food at once?

The reason for this is because most fish can’t handle all the food at once and will loose interest in it after a short while. All the rest will sink to the bottom and start to decompose, posing as a threat to the water quality of your tank.

Can fish eat algae?

This means that you should not have to improvise with all kind of semi-suitable food as long as you can get some food for them the next day. All fish that can eat vegetables are made to digest plant matter and, when hungry, will turn towards eating algae.

Can you feed meat to an aquarium fish?

It’s important to always feed the meat at room temperate. When you take the meat from a fridge, give it enough time to reach room temperature. Whenever you’re dealing with omnivores you can also choose to feed meat. Many smaller aquarium fish are omnivores and love blood-worms, daphnia, black worms, brine-shrimp etc.

What to Feed a Fish When out of Fish Food

It will happen to you. Get the box of fish flakes and give it a shake. Empty.

How Long Fish can Live Between Feedings

If you have to miss a day of feeding your fish, don’t worry, they will be fine. Most fish can survive a day or even two days with no introduced food before eating tank mates or tearing up the vegetation in your plants.

Alternate Herbivore Foods

Herbivore species of fish are the easiest to keep fed because they accept various fruit and vegetable foods. Great options include:

Alternative Omnivore Foods

Good news for you, omnivore fish species are almost as easy to feed as herbivores.

Alternative Carnivore Foods

The main difference between carnivore and omnivore diets is the emphasis on protein and the method of delivery.

What not to use for Fish Food

A good rule of thumb for feeding is to keep base foods or ingredients as natural as possible. Here are a few guidelines on what not to use:

Can Betta Fish Eat Human Food?

You can absolutely feed your Betta fish with human food as long as you remember the following guidelines.

What Human Food Can I Feed My Betta Fish?

As you probably guessed already, most human foods are not suitable for Bettas or any other species of fish. Forget about all types of processed foods as they will not provide your fish with vital nutrients. Instead, processed foods will most likely make your Betta sick.

Can Betta Fish Eat Peas?

The most common human food people feed Bettas with is peas. There are claims that peas are the only suitable vegetable but this is not true and you will learn why soon. As for peas, you need to boil them hard and remove their shells before you attempt to feed your Bettas. Also, remember to cut the peas in the tiniest pieces.

Can Betta Fish Eat Cucumber & Lettuce?

These two widespread vegetables are great for Bettas and fish, in general, as they are easy to digest while incredibly vitamin-rich. Once again, you should always cut them into miniature pieces before you feed your Bettas. Last but not least, do not overdo it with cucumber and lettuce. Give them small amounts and not with every meal.

Can Betta Fish Eat Meat?

Have you ever thought about feeding land-dwelling animal meat to your fish? Obviously, it is an unnatural process that cannot happen in the wild but it is, in fact, allowed. As long as you are certain that the meat has not been treated with dangerous antibiotics or preservatives, you can attempt to feed your Bettas with it.

Can Betta Fish Eat Seafood?

What human food would be more suitable for Bettas than seafood? After all, this is a carnivorous species of fish which means that it eats smaller fish and species in its natural habitat. As long as the seafood is fresh, you can feed it to your Bettas.

Can Betta Fish Eat Rice?

Surprisingly, most fish species love eating rice and Bettas are among those fish. Of course, it is a matter of personal taste but the chances are high that your Betta will accept it and eat it.

1. Green, Leafy Vegetables

Goldfish are especially fond of lettuce, kale, and spinach. Not only do they adore the taste, but it also gives them a surge of vitamins and minerals.

2. Peas

Peas are good for a lot of reasons. They are rich in fiber, which helps with your fish’s digestion. But peas also sink, so your goldfish can feed on the bottom.

3. Sweet Potato

Sweet potatoes are chock-full of beneficial nutrients for both fish and humans. They have high levels of potassium, vitamin C, and beta-carotene. Plus, they have a hint of sweetness your goldfish is sure to love.

4. Zucchini

Zucchini is another highly nutritious vegetable. It’s an excellent source of water-soluble fiber, potassium, folate, and vitamin A.

5. Cucumber

Cucumbers are water-based, delicious veggie choices for your goldfish. They’re stuffed with the antioxidant beta carotene, which boosts immunity.

6. Raspberries

Raspberries are delicious red berries that have tons of vitamin K. They help with bone and blood health. Plus, they’re sweet and tasty, sure to win over the taste buds of your tank inhabitants.

7. Oranges

Yes, your goldfish can have this scrumptious citrus fruit. Goldfish need a healthy helping of vitamin C in their diet, so orange is the perfect choice to boost their levels.

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