Feeding

[Felicity]

I read on the food packaging to feed several times a day. I really don't want to overfeed--how many is "several" and how much at a time? I've just been feeding once a day at night only enough to be entirely gone within 5 minutes--am I starving my fish? Would they do better with more? So far, I think I've been successful because guppies are very forgiving, but I've added a couple other kinds that may be more sensitive, and I want to be sure they thrive. Help, please.

 

[neilanh]

I thnk you're doing fine. I do the same as you, only once a day (I even skip a day occasionally) and just what they can eat in a few minutes.

 

[Felicity]

Thank-you, Neilanh!

 

[marchmaxima]

Once a day for me too. I stagger the feeding time, but only for my own convenience, not for any other reason.

I also skip a day or two here and there.

 

[FishEggs]

remember that the fish food companies are trying to sell fish food. the more you feed, the quicker it goes, the more you need, the more they sell. i only feed once a day and skip a day once a week.

 

[SpeedEuphoria]

I agree, once a day and skipping a day maybe 2 occasionally

 

[Felicity]

Thanks all--It's good to know I've been doing the right thing--I'll continue as I've been doing.

 

[Got Water?]

I have wondered about feeding and amounts. Are we talking about saltwater or freshwater. (or dose that mater)

 

[Alaris]

You're in the freshwater forums so freshwater.

 

[marchmaxima]

It's a generalised rule, but as with all generalisations there are exceptions and you shold read up on your specific fish's requirements.

For example, I'm looking into Discus. I have read and been advised that when they are juvies they need to be fed small amounts several times a day. So when the time comes, I'll buy a decent auto-feeder to take care of the feeding when I'm not there.

 

[AndrewH]

Fish have very small stomachs and a common cause of death is overfeeding. I usually feed my fish once per day and a very small amount. Every so often I will skip 2-3 days of feeding just because I have learned fasting periods can actually be very healthy for fish.

 

[JohnPaul]

For example, I'm looking into Discus. I have read and been advised that when they are juvies they need to be fed small amounts several times a day.

This is true of many (most?) fry--they are growing so fast, they need to eat several times a day. But for adult fish, I think once a day is usually plenty. (Or, if you prefer, you can do it twice a day but only feed half as much as you otherwise would.)