Typically, it can be difficult to tell when a fish is over or underfed. If they’re overfed, usually you won’t notice until they’re overweight, bloated, or constipated. If you notice they’re underfed, it’s likely because they’re already looking sick, thin, and lethargic. To help you avoid unnecessary worry and vet visits, here is a quick guide to how often and how much you should feed your fish.
How Often Should I Feed My Fish?
As a general rule, you can feed your fish up to twice a day. Typically, the more sedentary your fish, the longer you can go between their feeding times. Whereas more active, tiny fish need more consistent meals. For larger fish, you can forgo a day or two of feeding, so they have a chance to pass waste and avoid becoming constipated.
How Much Should I Feed My Fish?
The best rule of thumb is to only feed your fish as much as they can eat in a two to three-minute period. When starting out, add a few pinches at a time and measure how long it takes for them to eat. If it’s under two minutes, you might want to add more. If it’s over three minutes, take a little bit away and measure again next time until the amount of food meets the time frame.
What Should I Not Feed My Fish?
For most, it’s easy to understand what to feed your fish, as food choices are limited to meat or plant bases. But not everyone is aware of what they shouldn’t be feeding their fish. Do not feed your fish any human food, which includes meat scraps, uncooked vegetables, or anything that can be considered a choking hazard. Also, while it may be tempting to give your fish some enrichment by adding in live worms or insects you may find outside, you could be introducing bacteria and diseases you can’t see that may end up wiping out your entire tank.
So, when it comes to how much and how often you should feed your fish, just remember to provide them with the diet the fishmonger suggested for you and only gave them as much as they can eat in a short time frame. If you’re worried about skipping a meal or feeding them too much, you can add or skip a meal if necessary, as long as it’s only once in a while. One extra or less meal, once in a while, won’t hurt your fish.
