Important Nutrients

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Fish - Nutrition

Important Nutrients

Aside from providing your fish with a habitat as close to nature as possible, your other important responsibility is feeding them the proper kind and the right amount of food. To do this, you need to be knowledgeable about your fish's nutritional requirements. How much you know will determine the health, brilliance and longevity of these pets. The first thing you need to understand is nutrition basics for fish.

Nutrition Elements

What you feed your fish depends on its specific breed and its size and stage of life. Some research may be required for your specific fish. Fish have common nutritional requirements: proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and fiber. However, the following guidelines will get you started with important general information about fish diets.

Proteins - Fish need a good amount of protein. Growing (juvenile) fish need even more protein than their adult counterparts. Carnivorous fish get most of their protein from eating other animals, while herbivorous fish get protein from plants.

Fat - Fat is the major energy source for most fish. Stored in their tissues, unsaturated fat provides energy as well as a storage medium for fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K. If your fish acquires too much fat, however, it can accumulate around and inside internal organs, eventually causing them to malfunction.

Carbohydrates - In general, marine fish require less carbohydrates in their diet than freshwater fish. As a responsible provider, you need to find out the specific carbohydrate needs for your type of fish. For instance, goldfish require a higher carbohydrate diet than tropical fish.

Fiber - Fiber is a necessary dietary component for fish, but no general upper limit for it has been established. Be aware that too much fiber can impede nutrient absorption in your fish's gastrointestinal tract.

Minerals - Fish, like other animals, need minerals. For example, calcium compounds are essential to bone formation. In the wild, most minerals come from natural sources. Your aquarium-raised fish do not have these resources so it's your job to provide what they need.

Vitamins - Vitamins B, C and D are vital to your fish's health and well-being. When you buy commercial fish food, choose one for the particular species of fish you are feeding. Do not make the mistake of thinking any fish food is good for any fish. For example, trout food is inappropriate for Koi (same family as goldfish) because it has too much fat and protein. These substances cannot be completely digested by Koi and the rich trout diet can cause the fatty degeneration of a Koi's internal organs.

What to Feed Your Fish

Whether your fish are carnivores, herbivores or omnivores, the diet you feed them should be varied and nutritionally balanced. The different types of fish food available are described below. Remember you need to find out what particular food and feeding regimens are necessary for your breed of fish to thrive.

Freeze-dried Fish Food - A wide assortment of commercially available freeze-dried fish food is available. These foods contain all the nutritional value of their live food counterparts, with the added benefit of content consistency and disease control. These foods are especially high in the proteins your fish require. Another benefit of the freeze-drying process is the results generally do not resemble the original source (if you're squeamish about live worms and shrimp). Natural foods such as tubifex worms, black mosquito larvae, bloodworms and brine shrimp are packaged as powder or cube bits that can easily be broken up into the right size serving.

Fish Flakes - PETCO carries all sorts of packaged fish flakes for various types of fish, for all different life stages and with various combinations of nutrients. Some brands are designed to enhance color, promote breeding or supplement ailing fish. Again, your knowledge of your fish's particular nutritional requirements will guide you in choosing the right food.

Pellets - Fish food pellets usually float for a while before sinking straight to the bottom. These are good for fish that rise to the surface to eat, like goldfish. Some pellets stay afloat for a while, which allows you to scoop out any particles that haven't been eaten five minutes after you dropped them in the water. These pellets may not be ideal for middle-feeders or very small fish.

Live Food - A host of live foods are available for your carnivores and omnivores, especially juvenile ones. Daphnia, infusoria, mosquito larvae, glassworms, tubifex worms and freshly hatched brine shrimp are the most common. Although live food tends to last longer than flakes and pellets in terms of decaying in the water, you must be careful about introducing dirt and harmful bacteria into your tank when you use this food.

Vegetables - This food is for herbivores and omnivores. Use hand-chopped vegetables like fresh or frozen zucchini, potatoes, peas, and the leaves of spinach, lettuce and Swiss chard. Be sure to feed bite-size pieces and promptly remove uneaten particles. You can temporarily "plant" lettuce leaves in the gravel to look like swaying plants and your herbivores will love them.

What Not To Feed Your Fish

Fish should eat fish food, not people food or other pet food. In addition, you should never feed your fish:

Dried food more than six months old, unless it was stored in a refrigerator it will have lost most of its nutritional value.
Pieces of oily fish species such as salmon, mackerel or herring that can go bad in the tank or foul the water.
Food not formulated for the individual needs of your fish. For example, giving freshwater food to saltwater fish.