what to feed reef fish

What Do You Feed a Reef Tank?

• Dry Foods. Everyone knows flake food! The goldfish have been munching on that for years! Your marine aquarium is no...
• Powdered Foods. Powdered foods are more aimed at your corals and invertebrates, the filter feeders. ... Just like your...
• Liquid Foods. Liquid food usually come in 3 forms of food type. Phytoplankton, Zooplankton or a...

Full Answer

What should I Feed my Fish?

Lastly, it is often recommended that you feed your fish a combination of store-bought fish food and homemade fish food to increase the variety of nutrients and feedings. 2. DARK LEAFY GREENS

What is the best fish for reefs?

No fish can be considered 100% reef safe. That’s also true for many invertebrates. Reef-compatible fish and invertebrates are plentiful but obviously care must be taken to choose fish that will be a good fit with your corals. Also, hardy fish over more difficult to care for fish are preferred. Let’s run down the top ten list of fish to consider.

What are some reef-safe saltwater fish?

Reef-safe saltwater fish are coral-friendly and may also actually be beneficial to your reef tank. This list features some of the most recommended and popular saltwater reef-safe fish. Most are peaceful and beginner-friendly although exceptions are noted. 10. Yellow Tang The quintessential saltwater fish, the Yellow Tang ( Zebrasoma flavescens ).

Can you put lionfish in a reef tank?

Lionfish are very popular and gorgeous saltwater fish that works well in a FOWLR aquarium. Like many of the previously mentioned fish, they should be avoided in the reef aquarium because of their size and the fact that they will consume smaller fish and inverts. What does it mean if a fish is not reef-safe?

How often should I feed reef fish?

Feeding your fish a little bit of food several times per day is closer to the way they eat in the wild than feeding them a bunch of food every 2 or 3 days. Most fish (even sharks) will only eat what they need to survive.

How do I feed my fish in a reef tank?

5:267:16How & What to FEED YOUR FISH - Beginner Saltwater Budget AquariumYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's even free on orders a hundred dollars or more after fifty minutes break up the food with yourMoreIt's even free on orders a hundred dollars or more after fifty minutes break up the food with your finger or fork. Then dump in a little bit of food into your tank and observe.

What is the best food to feed marine fish?

Foods for Saltwater Fish and Invertebrates01 of 07. Brine Shrimp. ... 02 of 07. Krill. ... 03 of 07. Marine Flakes and Pellets. ... 04 of 07. Mysis Shrimp. ... 05 of 07. Phytoplankton. ... 06 of 07. Plankton. ... 07 of 07. Seaweed.

What do salt water fish like to eat?

Most herbivorous saltwater fish will eat macroalgae and microalgae, although some species prefer specific types—from red, green, brown and blue algae. In comparison, carnivorous saltwater fish usually eat a diet of shrimp, plankton and other small crustaceans.

How often do clownfish need to be fed?

Things to remember when feeding your clownfish: Feed small amounts two to three times daily, no more than your fish will eat in 1 to 2 minutes.

When should I feed my reef tank?

2:495:46How to FEED a Saltwater Tank Properly - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI. Usually try to aim for around 50% when it comes to flake and pellets. I like to feed a smallMoreI. Usually try to aim for around 50% when it comes to flake and pellets. I like to feed a small quantity of each firstly in the morning on alternate days.

What live food can I feed my saltwater fish?

5 Nutrient packed live foods for the reef aquariumRotifers.Copepods.Brine shrimp.Black Worms.

Do saltwater fish eat lettuce?

There is a wide variety of vegetables that fish do very well on. There is a wide variety of vegetables that fish do very well on. Regular lettuce is not one of them, and just as we eat it on weight-reduction diets because it has very few calories, it also provides very little nutrition to fish.

Do saltwater fish eat fruit?

Vegetables and Fruit You can feed your fish blanched vegetables such as zucchini, peas, lettuce, and spinach. Vegetables are full of the minerals and vitamins that herbivorous fish need. You can also feed your fish small amounts of fruit including apples and pears.

How many times a day should you feed your saltwater fish?

With this fact in mind, most fishes will thrive when fed small portions two to three times a day and will soon learn to come and beg from their owner. Healthy fish should always be hungry and all food should be consumed within a few minutes of being added to the tank.

What do you feed clownfish?

Clownfish are omnivorous and they primarily feed on small zooplankton from the water column, such as copepods and tunicate larvae, with a portion of their diet coming from algae. In their natural environment, they feed on undigested food from their host anemones.

Can saltwater fish eat tropical flakes?

Marine flakes are designed for the diet of saltwater fish, while tropical flakes are suited for freshwater fish such as Angelfish, Tetras, Rasboras, Barbs and Guppies. Even popular Goldfish have their own specific flake food.

How do you spot feed fish?

1:112:38Using Julian's Thing to Target Feed Fish and Corals - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith food rather than just empty. Water once it's thawed draw the syringe back to fill it. And thenMoreWith food rather than just empty. Water once it's thawed draw the syringe back to fill it. And then feed as you desire. You can see here it even works with the jumbo.

How many times a day should I feed my saltwater fish?

two to three times a dayWith this fact in mind, most fishes will thrive when fed small portions two to three times a day and will soon learn to come and beg from their owner. Healthy fish should always be hungry and all food should be consumed within a few minutes of being added to the tank.

How do you feed a clownfish?

However, since they are omnivores, you need to provide them with a large variety of food items to fulfill their nutritional needs. Give your aquarium-raised Clownfish lots of marine fish pellets, live foods such as shrimps, frozen food blends, and fresh or frozen vegetables.

Can you feed corals fish food?

It's important to offer a variety of foods to find one or more that your coral will accept. This can include diced small fish, thawed frozen plankton, phytoplankton, krill, pieces of shrimp, squid, or clams. These are also known as octopus foods and many saltwater aquarists believe this simplifies coral feeding.

Herbivores

Herbivorous reef fish feed on the algae which grows on and throughout the reef ecosystem. Algae is found on reefs in the form of turf algae or macroalgae, along with microscopic planktonic algae.

Carnivores

Carnivorous fish have many different prey items and many different hunting strategies have developed in the multitude of species which hunt on the reef.

Omnivores

There aren’t many purely detritivorous fish found on coral reefs. Omnivores however are quite common. A coral reef is a real battleground, with almost every animal having an array of predators, and facing a constant fight to find food.

Conclusion

Hopefully this article has given you some interesting information about the feeding behaviors of reef fish.

Feeding Tools

There are a variety of aquarium feeding tools that are predominately designed to assist in efficient food delivery and minimize food waste. While you probably won't need everything on the list, you will quickly learn that a few of these tools will be invaluable to your feeding success.

Best Practices

Consider the needs of your fish and accommodate their nutritional needs and feeding habits.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is the process of defrosting your frozen foods using RO/DI water then straining out the liquid before feeding. This will rinse away some of the extra waste (nitrate and phosphate) before the food goes into your tank.

Recommended Weekly Feeding Schedule

Alternate frozen foods and flakes or pellets. Adjust the frequency each day based on the type of fish you have. Don't forget to offer seaweed alongside your daily feeding at least 2-3 days per week for your tangs, blennies, and other herbivores.

The BIG Mistake

Do not think that you can get away with one type of food and/or approach to feeding your entire tank. Different fish have different needs and all fish will require a variety of nutrient sources to thrive in your aquarium.

Food Soaks

These are liquid supplements used to soak your fish food and add nutritional value. Mostly in the way of fat, amino acids, and vitamins.

Recommended Nitrate & Phosphate Test Kits

We recommend testing nitrate and phosphate at least 1-2 times per week to monitor your tank's nutrients.

What to feed a fish with pellets?

Pellet food tends to sink but it would still be a good habit to submerge your fingers when feeding to prevent some from floating. Pellets can be used to feed LPS corals, fish, and even your refugium . I’ve observed all kinds of creatures eat pellet food, such as bristleworms and even my mandarins. Avoid overdosing your tank with pellets, as these can end up polluting the water. Again, don’t pour it into your tank or set it on the edge as you may dump the container into the water accidentally.

How to feed fish with flake food?

Never pour the food into your tank, as an accident may occur which will dump excessive amounts of flake food into the water polluting the tank. It is better to take a pinch of food, and submerge your fingers in the water while releasing the food in the current. This will allow your fish to eat without gulping down air trying to eat from the surface. Keep in mind that flake foods are known to add to phosphate issues, so if your tank suffers from nuisance algae, it would be better to reduce the amount of flake food feedings.

How to feed corals?

Using nets or the top of a 2-liter bottle can work nicely. If you plan to leave the dome over the coral for more than one hour, drill small holes in it or cut slits so that current can flow through the feeding dome to avoid stagnated water / oxygen depravation.

How to feed anemones?

Target-feed livestock at the right time of day or night. Anemones are easier to feed at night because the fish are at rest. Feed them small chunks of meaty foods, nothing larger than a lima bean. Anemones should not have to expel waste (a blob of slimed food) if they are fed properly every 3 days. Too much food will simply be rejected, so why do it?

What is the best food for coral polyps?

Liquid foods are available and usually designed to feed filter feeders such as sponges and feather dusters. However, in recent years various plankton-based foods have come to market allow us to target corals, fish fry, as well as the pods in our system. LiquidLife BioPlankton and CoralPlankton is one such food that is kept in the freezer and yet stays in liquid form and can be fed to the tank late at night when coral polyp extension is at its greatest. Knowing your system’s total volume of water is very important because that is how you’ll determine how much food to dose. Too much will pollute the system, and not enough will prove ineffective with poor results.

What to feed tang fish?

Be sure to wash these foods well to remove any pesticides that may poison your fish. Some are using broccoli to feed tangs, and blanch the florets in boiling water for 15 to 20 seconds to kill any parasites before offering this now-tender food to their fish. Fresh vegetables can be secured to a piece of rock with rubber bands or clipped to the glass with a food clip.

Why do you pour food into a fish tank?

Pouring in quite a bit of food into your tank at one time usually assures that all your fish will get a meal vs. feeding in smaller amounts. The more active / aggressive fish will get the majority of the food and timid ones will miss out if you feed in tiny portions.

What is a neon blue goby?

These vibrant blue fish are quite small yet beautiful. A Neon Blue Goby ( Elactinus oceanops) is a great addition to a nano reef tank. They should be kept alone or as a mated pair. Otherwise, they will become aggressive toward other Neon Blue Gobies.

What is a starry blenny?

It’s a great utilitarian fish for a reef tank.

Why is my seahorse not reef safe?

A seahorse is a good example of this. Seahorses need low flow and safe items to hold on to. Reef tanks generally have higher flow and most coral is somewhat aggressive and could easily harm the seahorse.

What is the most popular fish?

The Clownfish ( Amphiprion ocellaris or Amphiprion percula) is probably the most popular fish, and for good reason. It is super hardy and has a very frisky personality. Reminds me of a puppy version of a fish. Not to mention the amazing symbiotic relationship they have with anemones. You can’t go wrong with one of these little guys.

What is the best snail to clean up a reef?

Cerith Snail. This tiny little guy has a huge appetite for detritus, fish food, fish waste, and algae. A handful of these active scavengers is not only reef safe but a highly recommended member of a clean-up crew. 9. Turbo Snail. This large snail is a super algae grazer. It also earns it’s name as a turbo.

What do orchid dottybacks eat?

This beautiful and active purple/lavender fish darts in and out of rock work, feeding on pests such as bristle worms. The Orchid Dottyback ( Pseudochromis fridmani) is aggressive toward other Pseudochromis. It is also prone to jumping so a top should be added to your aquarium.

What is the best way to keep a schooling fish?

This schooling fish is best kept in small groups. Caves and outcroppings are ideal as they tend to be rather sedentary. Banggai Cardinalfish ( Pterapogon kauderni) do not like strong light so providing some shaded area is important to give them refuge.

What is spirulina powder?

A favorite additive for homemade fish food, spirulina powder is composed of cyanobacteria. It is rich in amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Also, the natural pigment can help captive fish show their best and bright colors.

What do aquarium alga eaters eat?

Although these fish may still eat meat proteins occasionally, the majority of their diet will consist of plant matter. In general, it is recommended that they get 60 percent plant matter ad 40 percent animal matter in their diet.

What do aquarium fish eat?

Most aquarium fish for sale are omnivorous. These fish will readily eat both plant and animal matter and both should be regularly fed for continued health. In general, though, omnivores normally like plant matter, thus animal proteins are typically limited to at least 20 – 40 percent of their diet.

Why is it called the nutrient bomb?

It is called the nutrient bomb because of the variety of ingredients, providing a lot of nutrients for your fish to stay healthy and happy.

How long does it take to make fish food without cooking?

If you need a fish food right now, then this easy to make recipe can be made within 30 minutes without cooking.

What vegetables can I add to fish?

Oranges, pears, carrots, peas, apples, zucchini, and broccoli are just some of the great addition to homemade fish food.

Why are fish flakes flaky?

In addition, the dry flakes that you purchase for your fish from local shops undergo many treatments. This is the reason why they are flaky and have a longer life span. Plus, there will always be chemical preservatives present in the fish food. However, making your own fish food at home, you’ll know that it is healthy and fresh.

Feeding Tools

Best Practices

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Weekly Feeding Schedule

The Big Mistake

Food Soaks

Recommended Nitrate & Phosphate Test Kits