My fish(2 columbian,1 albino rainbow sharks) seemed to eat better at night, so my questions are: Is it OK to only feed them at night? And should I give them a little more food since its only once a day?
Is feeding once a day OK???
- Thread starter fishfood2326
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i found that feeding them during daytime makes them more active as they know when you will feed: with the lights on. When you feed during night, the fish will be hiding during day...
I believe it's a proven fact that the less [often] you feed your fish, the longer it'll live and the healthier it will be.
In fact, skipping a day or two of feeding is beneficial. A lot of predatory fishes are naturally active at night, but in an aquarium setting, most of them won't give a damn about when you throw food in; chances are they'll eat it (day or night).
In fact, skipping a day or two of feeding is beneficial. A lot of predatory fishes are naturally active at night, but in an aquarium setting, most of them won't give a damn about when you throw food in; chances are they'll eat it (day or night).
In my experience, fish in the aquarium that naturally feed at night will almost always adapt to a new daytime feeding routine. I wouldn't think it would be a problem, especially with those fish. I'd also say that it would be fine to feed them just once a day if you decide to keep feeding them at night. I tend to feed my growouts and more active fish more often (maybe twice a day), for your fish I'd think once a day would be plenty.
I feed my fish 2 to 3 times a day, but small portions, seems to keep them happy and less aggressive, it also seems to lessen them being shy because everytime I come around, they think, FOOD! hahaha.
But when they get over 6 inches, I will go to once a day with every 6th day being a fasting day.
But when they get over 6 inches, I will go to once a day with every 6th day being a fasting day.
I think I should be point out that every fish is a little different in regards to feeding.
Some fish naturally graze constantly on small amounts of food while others will only eat once every so often. Most large predators will gorge on a large meal and that'll last them for weeks, so always do the research and observe your fish. If your fish is constantly shifting the substrate such as flagtails and geophagus, it's a clue that they require more feedings per day. If you have something like a datnoid that ambush their prey, then you only have to feed once or every other day. Obviously, fishes that swim around all day long with high metabolisms will require more frequent feedings than those that stalk prey and basically sit all day long (therefore, reserving energy).
However, the general rules of health applies to both humans and fish. Overfeeding can cause health complications, so I always recommend feeding less. That also prevents waste buildup (believe it or not, most water quality problems arise from overfeeding) which may support the growth of unwanted algae and unsightly worms/pests.
Some fish naturally graze constantly on small amounts of food while others will only eat once every so often. Most large predators will gorge on a large meal and that'll last them for weeks, so always do the research and observe your fish. If your fish is constantly shifting the substrate such as flagtails and geophagus, it's a clue that they require more feedings per day. If you have something like a datnoid that ambush their prey, then you only have to feed once or every other day. Obviously, fishes that swim around all day long with high metabolisms will require more frequent feedings than those that stalk prey and basically sit all day long (therefore, reserving energy).
However, the general rules of health applies to both humans and fish. Overfeeding can cause health complications, so I always recommend feeding less. That also prevents waste buildup (believe it or not, most water quality problems arise from overfeeding) which may support the growth of unwanted algae and unsightly worms/pests.