what to feed school fish

Feed them tiny foods like crushed-up krill flakes and Easy Fry and Small Fish Food to keep them happy and healthy. A school of ember tetras swimming in a planted aquarium is a jaw-dropping sight to behold. As with all schooling fish, make sure to get a group of at least six to ten fish (all from the same species) for your aquarium.

Full Answer

What kind of food can I Feed my Fish?

Most people think of fish foods as flakes, pellets, and wafers, but you can also feed frozen, freeze-dried, gel, or live foods to provide more nutritional variety for your fish. Some frequently asked questions we get about the diets of specific aquarium fish include:

What is the best feeding program for my fish?

Here are some tips to help provide the best possible feeding program for your fish: Herbivorous fish tend to forage throughout the day because it takes a lot more plant material to satisfy their nutritional needs than the amount of meat protein for carnivores. Omnivorous fish have it best because they have many more options for suitable food items.

What is the best freshwater schooling fish for beginners?

The best freshwater schooling fish for beginners are Tetras. Tetras are small fish that are best suited for beginners due to the following reasons: There are many different peaceful species full of color that will enhance the look of your aquarium. You can find them in any chain or local fish store.

Can I feed frozen food to my aquarium fish?

Uneaten food will quickly pollute your aquarium. When feeding frozen foods, dispense food a little at a time using a turkey baster or large syringe to make sure everyone gets some. Drop a little food at the surface for top feeders and gently squirt some lower into the water column for mid-water and bottom feeders.

Why do you feed small fish in a pond?

What is feeding a pond?

What to feed bluegills?

What is the purpose of vibratory feeders?

What is the best food for catfish?

Do feed mills make fish food?

Can catfish eat bread?

See more

How often should I feed my schooling fish?

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 is the best food to feed fish?

Best Fish Foods ReviewedZoo Med Spirulina 20 Flakes. ... Omega One Freshwater Flakes. ... Fluval Bug Bites Cichlid Formula (Pellets. ... Omega One Super Color Veggie Kelp Floating Pellets. ... Fluval Hagen Vegetarian Pellets. ... Omega One Veggie Rounds. ... Repashy SuperGreen Gel Food. ... Hikari Bio-Pure Freeze Dried Spirulina Brine Shrimp Cubes.More items...•

What do you feed juvenile fish?

2:275:44How to Feed and Care for Baby Fish in an Aquarium - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo common foods that are fed to buy your fish is obviously live baby brine shrimp you can get thatMoreSo common foods that are fed to buy your fish is obviously live baby brine shrimp you can get that frozen as well vinegar worms and crush flakes and things like that.

What household foods can you feed fish?

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.

Is it better to feed fish flakes or pellets?

High quality pellets will usually contain more nutritional value than high quality flakes. Fish pellets make it easy to judge and measure exactly how much food you are feeding your fish, which helps to avoid both underfeeding and overfeeding.

What can fish not eat?

Insecticide fumes, paint fumes, cleaning products, tobacco smoke and even cooking oils are common household poisons that are harmful if they get into your fish tanks. When you reach into your aquariums, chemical residues on your skin can dissolve in the water and poison your fish.

Is egg yolk good for fish?

Egg yolk per se is highly nutritious - perhaps more so than egg white. However, as a diet for very young fish its high energy-protein ratio could result in inadequate intake of protein necessary for maximum growth.

Is egg yolk good for fish fry?

Take a few ounces out of the jar for each fry feeding, and replace it with treated freshwater. Egg yolk: Egg yolk is a power-packed food that is easy to make into preparation for newly hatched fry.

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.

How long can fishes go without food?

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.

Can u feed fish bread?

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.

Can fish eat boiled egg?

3:3010:47FEEDING my fish with HARD BOILED EGG - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOr don't have darkness you don't have live food you can use hard-boiled egg as your alternative. ButMoreOr don't have darkness you don't have live food you can use hard-boiled egg as your alternative. But be careful because this food can also be the cause of the death of the fry.

What is the best source of protein for fish?

Fresh tuna has the most protein per gram of any of the seafood on this list. With 30.7g of protein, fresh tuna has the most protein by weight and is atop the list of commercially available high protein fish.

How do you know when 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.

How can I fatten up my fish?

The best way I have found to fatten up a new fish is to feed them a lot, LOL. When I add a new fish I feed 3-4 times per day. For tangs and other algea eaters including angels etc, keep some kind of nori or other seaweed available for them.

What protein can I feed my fish?

Carnivores require 40-55%. The protein source must contain all essential amino acids for the fish to live. The best source of these for fish is animal protein, specifically fish meal. Fish meal is any leftover fish scraps from processing fish into other products, mostly for human and cat consumption.

How to feed a fish?

Flakes and some pellet foods typically linger at the surface for a minute or two before beginning a slow descent to the bottom, making them good choices for surface and mid-water feeders. Soaking dried foods or "swishing" them at the surface will help them drop faster for mid-water feeders. Most , and other bottom feeders do best on sinking tablets, wafers and pellet foods.

What do fish eat?

It's important to know what your fish eat in nature and feed accordingly. Are they herbivores, carnivores or omnivores? Most aquarists keep a variety of species in their aquariums, so offering a combination of different foods is best. For example, livebearers are largely herbivores, while tetras are more carnivorous. If you keep both types of fish in your aquarium, as many aquarists do, alternate feedings of meat protein and plant-based foods to keep everyone happy and healthy. Variety is important regardless of what types of fish you keep, as even carnivores benefit from some plant matter in their diet, and vice versa.

How to tell if a fish is overfeeding?

The term “overfeeding” means feeding more food than your fish needs or wants to eat in one feeding. Even hobbyists who only feed once a day or every other day can be guilty of overfeeding if the food is not completely consumed in less than 2 or 3 minutes. Here are some tell-tale signs of overfeeding: 1 Uneaten food remains in the aquarium after 5 minutes, but the fish show no interest in it. In extreme cases, a fuzzy or cottony white fungus may begin to grow on the bottom or on decorations and plants. 2 Aquarium water is cloudy or hazy and has a foul odor to it. Foam or froth may be present on the surface. 3 Filter media becomes clogged in a matter of days after cleaning. 4 Excessive algae growth. Even with proper filtration and water changes, nitrate and phosphate accumulation from heavy feeding can contribute to excessive algae growth. 5 Ammonia or nitrite levels are elevated. 6 Chronically high nitrates or low pH.

How to reduce food per feeding in aquarium?

If your aquarium shows signs of overfeeding, siphon out any uneaten food, lightly vacuum the substrate and reduce the amount of food per feeding by 50%.

How long does it take for fish to overfeed?

Even hobbyists who only feed once a day or every other day can be guilty of overfeeding if the food is not completely consumed in less than 2 or 3 minutes. Here are some tell-tale signs of overfeeding: Uneaten food remains in the aquarium after 5 minutes, but the fish show no interest in it.

How to feed frozen food to turkey?

When feeding frozen foods, dispense food a little at a time using a turkey baster or large syringe to make sure everyone gets some. Drop a little food at the surface for top feeders and gently squirt some lower into the water column for mid-water and bottom feeders.

What fish have higher metabolic rates?

Small active fish like danios and newly hatched fry have higher metabolic rates and should be fed frequently, especially when kept at warmer temperatures. Water temperature regulates fishes’ metabolisms and influences how often and how much they need to be fed.

What is the tightest schooling fish?

Temperament: Semi-Aggressive. Tiger Barbs are one of the tightest schooling freshwater fish. They tend to remain in formation at the top of the tank. Not having them in a school is a recipe for disaster in most community tanks. Keep at least six of them, and I’d recommend ten or more for the best results.

What fish to use for a larger planted tank?

Tiger Barbs are an excellent option for decorating larger planted tanks. The real challenge in their care is about tank mates, and beginners may have trouble. As a single species in a tank, however, they quickly become one of the easiest fish to care for in addition to my favorite schooling species. 2. Zebra Danios.

How many gallons of water should I feed a rummy?

They do best in groups of six or more, but I recommend beginning in at least a 30 gallon with 10 if you want to see them in action.

What is the hardest fish to raise?

Discuses are one of the hardest and most rewarding freshwater fish to raise. They’re large, expensive, and rather fragile. They’re the ultimate test of your freshwater aquarist abilities, so tread with caution unless you’re sure you’re up to the challenge. 5.

How many gallons of water do you need to keep a school of discus?

The big one is making sure the fish are all similar in size. Fin nipping and bullying may become an issue for significantly smaller fish. A minimum of 55 gallons is required to keep a school of Discus.

Can betta splendens be used in cichlid tanks?

Long fins are a no-go. A fish like Betta splendens will be torn up in no time.

What Are Schooling Fish?

Schooling fish are large groups of fish that stick together for a variety of reasons. Technically, schooling is when these groups all swim in the same direction. Most of the time, they are shoaling (or sticking together for social reasons).

Why do fish go to school?

Being in a school presents a wide array of benefits for every fish. For example, schools protect fish from being eaten by much larger predators. A group of dozens or even hundreds of fish will deter a predator from attacking them, instead going on to attack a fish swimming all alone.

Why do dadio fish jump out of their tank?

Therefore, it is very important to fix a tightly-fitted hood to the top of your aquarium. Dadio are quite sensitive to poor water quality and any quick changes in water chemistry.

How many fish shoal in a lifetime?

About 1/4 of all fish species will shoal all their lives, while about 1/2 will shoal for only a portion of their lives. Usually, smaller fish participate in schools, though larger fish will sometimes school together as well.

Why do fish nip at other fish?

These fish tend to grow bored very easily, so they may start to nip at the fins of other fish around them to entertain themselves.

How much should a male fish to female ratio be?

To prevent this, you should keep the correct ratio of males to females: about 1:2 respectively. This will reduce their territorial instincts and boost their more docile nature.

What fish can you mate with in a tank?

The best tank mates for these fish include other similarly-sized rainbowfish, characins, danios, barbs, and catfish such as Corydoras.

How Often Do You Feed Fish?

Most fish are fine with being fed once a day, but you can also choose to feed them two smaller meals a day for more enjoyment. Growing babies and slow grazers often need access to constant food, so you may need to feed them three to five tiny meals each day or a long-lasting food like Repashy gel food that doesn’t break down as quickly in water.

What do betta fish eat?

What do betta fish eat? Bettas prefer a more carnivorous diet that’s high in protein. They also have upturned mouths that are well-suited for eating floating foods like betta pellets or freeze-dried foods from the surface of the water. However, they will also readily eat frozen and live foods. See our collection of betta foods for examples of what we feed our bettas.

How Do You Know If You Are Underfeeding Fish?

So if you are feeding your fish plenty of food but they cannot seem to gain weight, they may need some antiparasitic or deworming medication to rid them of any unwanted hitchhikers .

How Long Can Fish Go Without Food?

If you are planning on traveling out of town or going on vacation, you may not need to worry. Adult fish can often go one week without any food, depending on their size, metabolism, and the water temperature. However, if you have a tankful of newborn fry that require constant feedings, it may be best to set up an automatic fish food feeder or find a pet sitter who can take care of their needs.

Why Are My Fish Always Hungry?

In the wild, fish are not always lucky enough to find food every day, so if they come upon a source of nutrients, they gobble down as much as possible in case they can’t find anything to consume the next day. Therefore, these opportunistic eaters constantly act as though they are starving, even if you just fed them 15 minutes ago.

How long should I feed my fish after the aquarium lights are off?

Most fish are awake during the daytime, so pick a fish feeding time that is at least 10 to 15 minutes after the aquarium light turns on. That way everyone is awake, alert, and ready to eat. However, if you have nocturnal species like kuhli loaches or plecos, make sure to feed them after the aquarium lights have turned off for the day.

Is fasting good for fish?

Is fasting good for fish? As mentioned before, it depends on the fish. Some people choose to skip one or two days of feeding to ensure that overfeeding doesn’t become an issue and cause health issues. In fact, large predatory fish may only need to eat a few times a week. Nano fish and baby fry, on the other hand, have smaller stomachs and generally need to eat more frequently.

What Fish Are Schooling Fish?

A few fish that like to live in schools are Danios, Barbs, and Tetras. Below we’ve provided a detailed list of the best schooling fish for your freshwater tanks.

What Is The Best Freshwater Schooling Fish For Beginners?

The best freshwater schooling fish for beginners are Tetras . Tetras are small fish that are best suited for beginners due to the following reasons:

How many Harlequins are there in a school?

The Harlequin Rasboras are a popular schooling freshwater fish due to their peaceful temperament and ease of care. Typically, they do excellent in schools of 6-8 fish. It is recommended that they are grouped with smaller Fish. The dazzling and stunning colors will attract the bigger Fish a little too much. As a result, your Harlequins may be under threat.

What is the most popular fish in the world?

The Neon Tetra is one of the most popular species among fish keepers due to its attractive colors and ease of care. They are the most-selling tropical Fish in the world and the second most expensive freshwater Fish sold in the world, only after the humble goldfish.

Why do schooling fish look good?

The reason schooling fish look so good in aquariums is because they help bring distinction, activity, and color to the aquarium. Typically, schooling fish are shy in isolation, but when surrounded by other Fish of their kind, their real persona stands out.

What makes schooling fish so interesting?

One aspect that makes schooling fish remarkably interesting to watch is their beauty. The way they move so close to each other while maintaining perfect rhythm is mind-blowing. It feels as if every Fish is being controlled by one mind simultaneously. The hive-mind mentality is at play.

Why do fish form schools?

The first reason why Fish tends to form schools is for protection against other predatory species.

What to feed a schooling fish in a nano tank?

Feed them tiny foods like crushed-up krill flakes and Easy Fry and Small Fish Food to keep them happy and healthy.

What is the tightest schooling fish?

Put a large school of cardinal tetras in a planted tank filled with greenery, and you won’t be able to pull your eyes away. 2. Rummy Nose Tetras. This very popular species is known as one of the tightest schooling fish in the aquarium hobby because the fish tend to all face the same direction while swimming together.

What is a school of Tetras swimming in?

A school of ember tetras swimming in a planted aquarium is a jaw-dropping sight to behold.

How to feed a fish?

The simplest option for feeding is to use vacation feeders. They are available in 2-day (weekend), 7-day, and 14-day sizes. There are two basic types: one where the food is embedded in a calcium block, and the other style has the food in a gel. In each case, the block gradually dissolves in the water, releasing food particles for the fish to eat. Feeder blocks have several benefits, including: 1 Supplies food to your fish while you are away for up to 14 days 2 Dissolves slowly and releases food periodically as the block gradually dissolves (although the calcium block will dissolve faster in soft, acid water than it will in hard, basic water) 3 Includes natural ingredients to meet nutritional requirements of all aquarium fish 4 Do not use in a fish bowl or a non-filtered or non-aerated aquarium, as water circulation is required to dissolve the block 5 The gel blocks may work better in some water conditions as the gel block is plaster-free and does not cloud water

How many days can you feed a fish?

The simplest option for feeding is to use vacation feeders. They are available in 2-day (weekend), 7-day, and 14-day sizes. There are two basic types: one where the food is embedded in a calcium block, and the other style has the food in a gel. In each case, the block gradually dissolves in the water, releasing food particles for the fish to eat.

What to do with fish while you're away?

Are you traveling for the holidays or planning to go on a vacation soon? What will you do with your fish while you're away? Fortunately, there are several easy options to feed your fish during holiday and vacation periods: you can find a fish sitter; use commercial vacation feeders available through your fish store; or you can purchase an automatic fish feeder, which can be used on a daily basis anyway. A final option is to simply let your fish go unfed while you are gone. (Before you faint at that option, read on!)

What to do if your fish is sick?

Another important factor is the physical condition of your fish. Just before leaving on your holiday or vacation, examine them to ensure that none of them appear to be sick. If you notice any abnormalities, consult a fish shop or an aquatic veterinarian before leaving. Otherwise, you risk coming home to an aquarium of sick or dying fish.

How does an automatic fish feeder work?

Automatic feeders come in electric plug-in models and battery operated models. They have timers that can be set to dispense the proper amount of food one or more times per day. The opening in the food holding dispenser can be adjusted to deliver a certain amount of food at each feeding. These are great to use anytime, and if you have it before you go on vacation, you can adjust the timing and dispensed food quantity to feed the fish correctly every day. As long as the food dispenser is full before you leave, and holds enough food to dispense for the duration you will be gone, these work great for feeding your fish while you are away. Some of the best automatic fish feeders are:

How to feed fish the week before leaving?

As you feed your fish the week before you leave, place the same amount of food in one of the pill compartments. By the end of the week, you will have the next week's feedings all prepared for your helper. All they have to do is open the dispenser each day and put the food in that day's compartment into the aquarium.

What temperature should an aquarium be?

If the holiday is during the cold time of year, be sure your aquarium heater is working and don't turn your house temperature down too low. Tropical fish prefer water temperatures from about 74-78 degrees Fahrenheit, and do not do well below water temperature of 65 degrees.

What is a good fish to shoale?

Shoaling can be a very fun way to add color, texture, and life to your saltwater reef aquarium. The Blue-Green Chromis is our favorite reef-safe saltwater schooling fish because they are affordable, easy to care for, and beautiful to watch. Just expect them to potentially kill one another off after they have been in your tank for many years.

What is the best saltwater fish to keep in a saltwater tank?

Based on these three factors, the Blue-Green Chromis is one of the best reef-safe schooling saltwater fish to select for your saltwater tank.

What color cardinals go well with shrimp?

Nice, brightly colored cardinals will always go well with your shrimp. They are a good middle ground between colorful and drab as they sport red as well as black colors. The reason they’re often used is because of their peaceful nature. In the wild, cardinals tend to exist in groups that consist of around 20 or more individuals at the same time. Pairing a group of cardinals with your shrimp will help to create that same look and feel in your aquarium.

Can you school shrimp in saltwater?

Keeping schooling fish and shrimp in a saltwater tank is not as easy as it sounds. There are many factors that need to be accounted for, including the size of the tank, the quality of your water, what type of filter you have, how often you clean your tank, and so much more.

Is it safe to school saltwater fish?

If you have a reef tank, there are a variety of reef-safe schooling saltwater fish you can choose from . Schooling or shoaling saltwater fish are a great choice because they tend to be peaceful and offer a very scenic appearance inside the tank. When they all move together, they add a lot of life and texture to the water.

Is it safe to school blue green chromis?

Whether you select the Blue-Green Chromis or one of the other reef safe schooling fish on our list, make sure to research the fish type thoroughly. Schooling fish tend to be peaceful, meaning that they can be killed off by more aggressive breeds. Research your fish breeds to learn the best fish pairings and tank environments.

Where do fish hide in the tank?

Once these fish are in their tank, they like to swim at the top of the tank. When they’re not swimming, they also like to hide in rocks and other water foliage , especially when it is nighttime. Because of these two behavioral features, it’s best to have a larger tank with a lot of rocks for them to hide in.

Why do you feed small fish in a pond?

For your pond, feeding the small fish makes sense because they are your up and coming stars, the freshman team, if you will. Feeding the medium size critters sets the table for those fish to be the junior varsity, on their way to the big time.

What is feeding a pond?

Feeding is one part of managing a pond, to learn more about Pond Management check out another great article by Bob Lusk, Managing your Pond. A thoughtful feeding program involves taking care of different sizes of different species in their own niches in your pond.

What to feed bluegills?

If you want to feed small bluegills and get them on the fast track to giant sizes, feed them AquaMax 500. That’s a fish meal-based, high protein feed designed to give young fish an advantage and expedite their growth rates far beyond the offerings of Mother Nature in your pond.

What is the purpose of vibratory feeders?

In the shallow areas, adjacent to bluegill spawning beds, there are vibratory feeders, designed to dispense tiny feed for newly hatched fish. Peripherally, there are directional feeders which throw AquaMax 600, targeting larger bluegill and small feed-trained bass.

What is the best food for catfish?

Are catfish your bag? Feed a grain-based feed. That’s one of the “omnivore” diets Purina offers. Feeding just for fun? Game Fish Chow is a good choice, because it’s got multiple particle sizes.

Do feed mills make fish food?

Quite a few feed mills make fish food. Those are good quality products, but it’s our job to figure out what will help you meet your goals. A few years ago, people would buy day-old bread and feed it to their catfish.

Can catfish eat bread?

Then, when it was time to eat said catfish, their texture was mushy and they had a different taste than we might expect. Bread isn’t designed for fish. Choose the best feed for the situation.