One of the most important parts of taking care of any pet is making sure that they have food that is suitable for their diet and that they enjoy it. When it comes to fish, they won’t eat the food if they don’t like it so you have to make sure you are getting the right kind of food for your fish that is also going to give them the nutrients they need.
It can be a bit overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to which fish food is the best to buy. However, we’ve gathered the top five fish foods that you should consider purchasing followed by a Buyers Guide and FAQ so you know what to look out for when conducting your own research.
Don’t have time to read the full article? Find out our top pick here:
Our top pick are the TetraMin Plus Tropical Flakes which has a tropical formulation that suits all kinds of fish diets. The highly digestible flake blend is a great choice to use a staple food in your fish’s diet.
The natural shrimp flavor has maximum taste which is also a natural attractant for aquarium fish so you can be assured that they will like the food. The ProCare blend helps to support your fish’s immune system which in turn means that they will have optimal health and a longer life.
So what makes this our winner? These tropical flakes have been made with a clear water formula which means that they won’t cloud your water when used as instructed.
This is highly convenient as you won’t have to worry about cleaning the tank on a daily basis. This specialized fish flake formula is full of high protein which enhances the natural colors in your fish.
TetraMin Plus Tropical Flakes
Our first recommendation is the TetraMin Plus Tropical Flakes which is ideal for those who want to provide their fish with maximum health and a longer life thanks to the ProCare blend that TetraMin has developed.
This food is high in specialized protein that helps to enhance the natural colors in your fish. The natural shrimp flavor is ideal for a variety of species of fish as it is a food that a lot of fish naturally eat whilst also providing maximum flavor.
TetraMin is a brand that many pet owners trust thanks to the premium ingredients that they incorporate into their formulas. The highly digestible flake blend is perfect as the main staple food for any fish’s diet. Another convenient aspect with these food flakes is that they don’t cloud the water if poured in the tank as directed.
Pros:
- Is high in specialized protein that helps to enhance the natural colors in your fish
- Ideal for those who want to provide their fish with maximum health and a longer life thanks to the ProCare blend
- Don’t cloud the water if poured in the tank as directed
Cons:
- Only floats for a short time before sinking
Tetra Goldfish Flakes
Our second selection are the Tetra Goldfish Flakes which are made with a special ProCare formula that meets all the nutritional requirements of cold water fish and stays firm when your fish is ready to eat them.
The ProCare blend is health enhancing and contains a lot of omega 3 fatty acids as well as protein that helps to protect your fish’s digestive system as well as enhancing their natural color.
These goldfish flakes are incredibly convenient as they do not cloud your water and have a scientifically developed blend that can be easily digested, making them perfect for smaller fish.
This food can be fed to fish living in aquariums as well as small outdoor ponds as well. The trace elements help to enhance the natural colors as well as immunostimulants, vitamins and biotin that help to build up your fish’s resistance to disease while optimizing their health and giving them a longer life.
Pros:
- The ProCare blend is health enhancing and contains a lot of omega 3 fatty acids as well as protein that helps to protect your fish’s digestive system as well as enhancing their natural color
- Incredibly convenient as they do not cloud your water and have a scientifically developed blend that can be easily digested, making them perfect for smaller fish
- Immunostimulants, vitamins and biotin that help to build up your fish’s resistance to disease while optimizing their health
Cons:
- Does have a slight odor
API FISH FOOD FLAKES
Our third choice are the API FISH FOOD FLAKES which is specifically designed for smaller fish such as goldfish. Allowing for smaller bites as well as floating on the surface for longer periods of time, these flakes have been specially formulated to ensure that your small fish get all the nutrients they need.
This food contains spirulina that helps to enhance the natural colors of your fish as well as containing garlic as added flavoring. The dried yeast in the flakes contain micronutrients so your fish has a well balanced diet.
With a variety of sizes available, you can select the perfect amount to accommodate the fish you have with ease. These flakes have been designed to be the main staple of your goldfish’s diet and therefore need to be fed twice a day, allowing your fish to consume it within 2 minutes before it sinks.
The special formula means that there is less waste as well as clean water so you don’t have to worry about cleaning the tank on a daily basis.
Pros:
- Contains spirulina that helps to enhance the natural colors of your fish as well as containing garlic as added flavoring
- Variety of sizes available
- The special formula means that there is less waste as well as clean water so you don’t have to worry about cleaning the tank on a daily basis
Cons:
- Has a slight odor
Hikari Tropical Fancy Guppy Fish Food
Our penultimate choice is the Hikari Tropical Fancy Guppy Fish Food which is rich in ingredients that contain natural color enhancers making them ideal if you own colorful fish and want to show off their vibrancy. This food is also key in promoting growth as well as activating the breeding process thanks to the high linolenic acid content.
The food flakes slowly sink meaning that the fish has plenty of time to consume the food while it retains its nutritional content. Ideal for all kinds of guppies and other smaller fish, these food flakes are particularly useful if you own a lot of fish as the nutrients can benefit all kinds of species.
These fish flakes are full of a variety of nutrients including chitosan and stabilized vitamin C which helps to support and maintain a strong immune system.
As guppies have certain nutritional requirements, it’s important that the food can suit their digestive needs. These fish flakes have been through an encapsulation process which prevents any dissipation of the nutrients that guppies need to give you further peace of mind.
Pros:
- Rich in ingredients that contain natural color enhancers
- Key in promoting growth as well as activating the breeding process thanks to the high linolenic acid content
- Full of a variety of nutrients including chitosan and stabilized vitamin C which helps to support and maintain a strong immune system
Cons:
- The packaging has a small opening which can make it difficult to pour food out
Aqueon Cichlid Food Pellets
Our final selection are the Aqueon Cichlid Food Pellets which have been made with premium ingredients such as shrimp to ensure that your fish has the most natural food possible. With a variety of pellet sizes to choose from, you can be assured that your cichlid is getting the perfect sized food for their digestive system.
With a color enhancing formula, these pellets have been made with a blend of marigold, chili powder and astaxanthin. Because these pellets are crammed full of foods that fish are naturally attracted to, you can be sure that all of the pellets will be eaten.
The formula for this food means that the fish will utilize more of what they eat which in turn means that they will create less waste. The water will not become cloudy when the food is fed as instructed, meaning that you needn’t worry about cleaning the tank on a daily basis.
Simply make sure you are feeding your fish enough food that they can consume within two minutes to ensure that the water stays as clean as possible and that the pellets will still retain their nutritional value.
Pros:
- Made with premium ingredients such as shrimp to ensure that your fish has the most natural food possible
- With a color enhancing formula, these pellets have been made with a blend of marigold, chili powder and astaxanthin
- The water will not become cloudy when the food is fed as instructed, meaning that you needn’t worry about cleaning the tank on a daily basis
Cons:
- Can be too large for smaller fish
Best Fish Food – Buyers Guide
When researching which fish food is the best option for you, it’s important to have a look at various options thoroughly to ensure that it is suitable for your fish and that it will fulfil their dietary requirements. Always consider what kind of fish you have, the amount of fish food you need, the nutrients that are in the food and your budget.
Once you’ve thought about these factors and compared them to your own set of criteria and requirements, you’ll be able to make a fully informed decision with complete confidence.
Fish
The first thing that is the most important is the type of fish that you have. Whether you own one kind of fish or an array of different species, it’s important that you are looking for foods that suit that particular species.
If you buy food that is intended for larger fish but actually own a smaller sized fish like a goldfish or guppy, you may find that they can’t eat the food as the pellets may be too large for them to swallow which can be fatal. It’s always best to ensure that you purchase food that is going to enrich their life and prove beneficial to their overall health.
Amount
Another factor that is important is the amount of food that you will be needing. The majority of brands sell their foods with a variety of size options from small pouches to large tubs depending on what kind of fish you have and how many fish you have.
For those who have a lot of the same species of fish, this can save you a lot of time and money by buying in bulk as fish food doesn’t go out of date for a long time.
Nutrients
The next aspect you should look into are the nutrients in the food. Some foods are geared towards a particular diet such as fish that require a higher intake of protein.
There are also foods that can improve the appearance of your fish that enhance the natural colors, which is ideal if you own an array of vibrantly colored fish.
You want to make sure that your fish have a balanced diet so incorporating treats into the mix can be a good thing if done in moderation as well.
Budget
Lastly, always think about your budget. With an array of brands that sell their foods at varying price points, there are quality choices to suit all budgets whether you have the money to splurge or are working with a stricter price point.
It’s important that you are making a decision that suits your fish’s dietary requirements as well as one that doesn’t break your bank account. As you can see from the recommendations in this article, there are plenty of options available to make the selecting process easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can fish not eat?
There are a lot of foods that your fish cannot eat. Scraps of meat can cause a build up of fat around your fish’s heart which can prove fatal as this can affect the live and reproductive organs as well as the heart. Herbivore fish can have a maximum of 3% fat in their system whereas carnivores can have up to 6% so bear this in mind when selecting the appropriate fish foods.
What is natural food for fish?
A lot of fish foods that you come across will include natural foods that fish like to eat such as phytoplankton, zooplankton and annelids. Younger fish tend to prefer feeding on plankton whereas the older they get, the more protein and fat content they will need to promote growth.
