Usually the majority of aquarium fish survive on a staple diet consisting mainly of flake food and while this is adequate in most cases they would certainly enjoy the opportunity of having some live fish food or possibly frozen food occasionally. It is natural for fish to eat a diet consisting of a range of foods in the wild, and one food alone cannot give enough variety. Having a nutritious diet is also a must when conditioning fish for breeding.
Live foods will give fish the chance to use their natural instincts because they offer some resistance to being eaten. It is important to watch that all live food is eaten, as worms may escape into the substrate and then die soon afterwards thus polluting the water.
Many types of worms are excellent for fish. However it is wise to be very careful if feeding live worms, as they can be carriers of disease which will devastate an aquarium. Live Tubifex or black worms are best avoided as they are known to be a health risk, if not handled very carefully and thoroughly washed and cultured. Freeze dried Tubifex are an excellent answer to the problem and the fish will love them.
Bloodworms, Flightless Fruit Flies, Silkworms, Phoenix Worms, Daphnia, Brine Shrimp, and Fly Larvae are all sources of great food for fish and culture kits can be purchased to “grow” your own supplies of most of these interesting foods. Silkworms are one of the healthiest insects you can feed to fish as they are low in fat and are a high source of calcium, protein, iron, magnesium and sodium, and vitamin B. Phoenix worms can be purchased in containers, and last for weeks requiring no food or maintenance whatever and are greedily consumed as they are highly appealing to the fish.
You can also cater for the vegetarians with bits of fresh lettuce and spinach, frozen kelp, and frozen or freeze dried algae. It might be quite surprising to see which fish go for it. Veggies are not only good for us they are also good for fish as well. Fresh vegetables will provide vitamins and roughage often lacking in other foods.
Whether it’s live or frozen, it’s a certainty that your fish will enjoy having a range of foods on the daily menu. After all they are not able to source their own food and are totally reliant on what you provide,
Jen Clements is an experienced fish breeder and aquarium specialist. She has a website devoted to providing information and hints for hobbyists. Jen has a FREE e-course “Aquarium Fish Breeding Secrets” that you can get right now at Aquarium Fish Breeding