A good test is to sprinkle some food in the water and wait for a couple of minutes. If the fish have eaten all the food within that time, you're feeding them enough. If they eat the food in under a minute, add a little more at the next feeding. Similarly, if the fish take longer than two minutes to consume all the food, add a little less the next time around. Fish have small stomachs about the size of their eyes - keep this in mind every time you feed them.
Sometimes it can be difficult to feed your fish less often, especially if they seem hungry. Overfeeding is a big problem and can lead to unhealthy fish. Resist the temptation to feed your fish on a whim and they will be swimming happy for a long time to come.
Overfeeding has the potential to cause problems with your tank as well. Uneaten food breaks down and begins to rot quickly in the warm waters of your aquarium, leading to deteriorating water conditions and premature filter blockage. Overfed fish also produce more waste, exacerbating the problem. The filter then becomes inefficient and maintenance issues are just around the corner.
Don't assume that the scavenger fish in your aquarium will clean up excess food - this never happens because rotting food is always off limits, even for scavengers.
It's important to understand that the amount of food a fish requires (and how often they need to be fed) depends on the species. Every fish is different. For instance, predators eat large amounts at one time and then spend hours or days digesting the food, while omnivores and scavengers are always on the lookout for smaller food particles during daylight hours. Nocturnal fish only eat at night.
Keep in mind that smaller fish need frequent feeding and can't miss a feeding for more than one day. Adult fish with no health problems, however, can last for several days or weeks without eating anything. If you have the money, invest in an automatic fish feeder or purchase holiday feeding blocks. These blocks are designed to dissolve in increments over a long period of time, slowly releasing food into the aquarium.
For most home aquariums, however, the feeding schedule doesn't have to be complicated. Feed in the morning and evening by sprinkling some food on the surface of the water so that all the fish have a chance to eat. The old fashioned alternative is to ask a friend or neighbor to look after your fish when you're away from home.
No comments:
Post a Comment