For me the loss of snails is a negative and a mystery so far.
I think using snails as an indicator of overfeeding is a good way to evaluate the situation. I keep 3 types of snails in the above tank but they are sort of invisible, meaning not enough food to multiply out of proportions. Where when I had fry, their tanks were always over populated with snails because I overfed of course.
Depending on what type of fish a person has
Most fish I keep are omnivores.
Setting fry and young fish aside, mature fish do not have to eat every day to remain healthy.
I presume that they generally don't, not as much as fry. But what is a mature fish? I've noticed with my livebearers(platies) that they grow for at least the first 3 years. Considering they only live to around 5, that's quite the time. Compare that to longer lived fish. I don't know why people presume that fish magically grow fully in the first few months and then they stop. Most people buy their fish young enough.
See on the picture below the center fish is what a platy looks at around 1-2 years of age. The bottom fish which is partly visible is what they look like at 3-5. They reach to nearly 3 inches and also grow quite a lot girth wise. They poop like plecos and those fish are suggested for small tanks....I know they aren't popular but just giving an example...

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