How to determine amount to feed fish?

[Finthusiast]

I have heard to feed fish as much as they can eat in two minutes, but my fish can eat a lot in two minutes it seems like way too much and I dont want to over feed. I have been feeding him this much (picture) each day just wondering if theres a good rule to approx how many pellets to feed a fish etc. my fish grows to be over 12 inches eventually but right now only 3 inches is this enough food for every day feeding for his size?

 

[Finthusiast]

Here is a video I just took to show he is healthy as can be I sometimes feed little more but not much less than this each day just never been sure if its enough?

 

[A201]

IMO, the pictured pellets look to be a sufficient amount for a daily feeding. As the Mayan grows you'll develope a feel regarding how much to feed.
My fish practically jump out of the tank to feed, so they polish off what food I throw in about 30 seconds. I dont measure out food. If the Mayan starts to look bloated and the water parameters begin to deteriorate then You'll know overfeeding has occured. Btw nice Mayan.

 

[RD.]

IMO feeding fish is part art, part science. As far as how much, the easiest method for the average fish keeper is let your eyes be your guide. If the fish is looking skinny, feed more, if the fish is looking obese, cut back & feed less. This will vary among species, even among fish within the same species, regardless of overall weight, due to the energy expended by the fish in a glass box. So in order to properly meet those energy requirements, and depending on how nutrient dense your food is, or isn't, can cause WIDE variations in what each fish requires for optimum or ideal growth. Commercial vendors clearly have different goals than someone raising a pet fish in a 90 gallon.

Do not feed to satiation as most fish are hard wired to overfeed. (feast/famine)

 

[Finthusiast]

Thank you for the compliment! I think he Is a great fish too, real excited to introduce him to his new 75 gallon home!

 

[Finthusiast]

Thanks RD. that is a perfect explanation for me to read I think I will continue to feed as I have been with once or twice a week ghost shrimps for the live food aspect. And as he grows add more pellets should I get bigger pellets or will these little ones be good for long term as well?
Edit btw this is a beautiful fish I saw you post in that other thread very nice what kind of fish is that?

One of my FH from years past, this one raised in a 90 gallon.


View attachment 1388097

 

[RD.]

That was one of my flowerhorn. You can up the size of pellet size as this fish gains size, just make sure that your fish can easily swallow them, without chewing and making a mess.

 

[Finthusiast]

Ahh that’s an amazing pattern and shape of fish very cool are they hard to care for?

 

[Omrit]

The "as much as they can eat in 2 minutes" advise is kind of insane. Even when I have had feeding accidents like a hand slipping or a flake can falling over the fish have polished nearly all of it off in under a minute.

I would feed the smallest amount that looks reasonable. If the fish starts looking thin then increase it. Underfeeding is far better than overfeeding.

 

[RD.]

It all boils down to species and energy levels. As an example, 2 minutes would not be insane when feeding a school of discus, a species with small mouths that often tends to pick at their food, especially dry food.