Choosing the right aquarium fish food is a key element in maintaining happy and healthy tropical fish. With the variety of aquarium fish foods available this is often a daunting and complicated task. Here are some factors to keep in mind when deciding on what types of tropical fish foods to purchase.
Dietary Requirements
The first thing to consider is the dietary needs of the tropical fish you're keeping. Some fish only eat plants (herbivores), others only eat animal based foods (carnivores) while many others are omnivores and eat both plants and animal based foods. It is critical that you match the type of food that you feed to the type of fish you keep so please do some research to determine their dietary needs. Are you keeping herbivores, carnivores, omnivores or some of each?
Feeding Preferences
Learn where and when your fish like to eat. Most tropical fish are top feeders that like to eat at or or near the surface of your aquarium or pond but some are bottom feeders and like to rummage around the bottom to feed. You'll want to purchase floating foods for those that eat at the surface and sinking type foods for those that like to forage around the bottom. In addition, while most fish eat during the day some are nocturnal and should be fed when the lights are off.
Variety
Now that you know what your fish like to eat as well as where and when they like to do so, be sure to feed them a variety of different types of foods to keep them interested in eating and to ensure they are getting a well balanced, nutritional diet. Science has proven that eating foods from a variety of sources creates a healthier diet, since each food contributes different nutrients and possible health advantages. A combination of dry, frozen and fresh/live foods will ensure they get the variety they need. It is also a good idea to add a good vitamin and garlic supplement.
Keep it Fresh
Fish foods have a relatively short shelf life and start to lose their nutritional value as soon as you open them. We recommend only keeping on hand what you can use in a couple of weeks. If you purchase foods in greater quantities be sure to store the excess in a cool dark place, ideally in a refrigerator or freezer to prolong its self life and preserve the vitamins levels.