Foods and Feeding
Feeding of fish is usually done during the day, and more constantly all
day. However, frequent small feedings during the day are preferable to
one larger daily feeding. the average home aquarist, who is always out
should feed his fish twice a day, morning and evening. If a small noon
feeding can be arranged, that would be much better. Some breeders try to
feed their fish at least four times a day.
The key to winning feeding which results in large healthy fish is
regular feeding of a variety of foods. Here are some suggestions:
Dry food: Different dry foods available for aquarist are almost
overwhelming. Because no major studies of the food needs of aquarium
fish have been made is excellent to purchase two or three varieties of
the best foods on the shelf. Buy fish food prepared by a company
specialising in the preparation of aquarium products. These foods are
specially prepared by practised experts and have been tried and tested
to see that they provide sufficient nourishment. To avoid jaded
appetites that fishes can get, variety is essential and so to
minimise the possibility that a particular brand may not contain enough
of a required but indefinite nutriment.
Live or fresh foods: Almost every tropical fish shop in the
country has available frozen brine shrimp and its availability has been
a boon for both amateur and expert fish keeper. Small pieces are broken
off and dropped into the aquarium, where shrimps are eaten as they
soften and fall away from the main body. This or other fresh food should
be fed at least three times a week in place of a dry food.
Baby Brine Shrimp: This food is best for baby livebearers that
can be fed solely on it for the first three weeks before the unusual
diverse diet is begun. Instructions on the package tell how to hatch
from eggs to baby shrimp, which have the benefit of being hatched into
live
food in a span of 24 hours anytime needed by aquarist.
Daphnia: This can be collected in sloughs or ponds particularly
those near dumps or cattle farms. It is an excellent food for adult
livebearers. Large amounts of this aquatic crustacean should be
available; some may be frozen for use during the winter. It must not be
fed more than two or three times a week.
Tubifex worms: These worms can be found in the mud at the edges
of streams mostly in polluted parts. Most aquarist would say that this
is the best live food available in most areas but that only clean worms
must be used. If first collected the digestive tracts of the worms
are filled with dirt, the collector will wash the worms in fresh water
for few days before selling them to the retailer. These clean worms are
what the aquarist needed.
If there is any doubt about their sanity they should be placed under the
cold tap for a day or before feeding. A knob of clean worms is bright
red in color and when broken up does not release a large mass of
blackish material.
Spinach: If there are no sufficient algae in the aquarium a
occasional light feeding of finely chopped, lightly boiled spinach is
enjoyed by Mollies in particular.
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