One of the basic rules of keeping fish is not to over-feed the fish. This is because not only is it unhealthy, it also can produce pollution in the aquarium. It is unwise to feed fish with too much food. In fact, certain fish species even die because of it. The basic guideline an owner needs to follow is to give only enough food at every mealtime that the fish can finish within five minutes.

Most aquarium fish can do well if they are fed a consistent diet of dry flake food. But take note that it is recommended that you provide high-quality food to ensure that your fish is getting all the nutrients it needs. Some fish owners buy several types of food, and they vary this to ensure a balanced diet for the fish.

Catfish and larger fish species do better if they are fed pellet food due to its bulk. Try to offer fresh food or live food from time to time so that the fish will get a nutritionally-complete meal. But remember that the bulk of the diet should consist of freeze-dried food as it contains a lot of protein.

Some fish are classified as “vegetarian”. If this is the case for your fish, you need to purchase food with more vegetable content and minimal protein. The flake foods can be added with frozen and dried food which are all available at most aquarium stores.

If you do decide to go for commercial fish food, take note of the shelf life. If the container looks dusty, it is advised that you look somewhere else. It is better to be safe than feed your fish spoiled food. Within six months, the nutritional value of most commercial will lessen by half.