Types of Fish Food: Flakes, Pellets, Frozen, Live and More

A guide to the main forms of aquarium fish food - flakes, floating and sinking pellets, wafers, freeze-dried, frozen, live and gel - and how to match each to a fish's mouth position and size, plus the disease risk of live foods.

Most fishkeepers rely mainly on prepared foods, but the form of the food matters as much as its recipe. The right form should reach the fish where it naturally feeds - at the surface, in mid-water or on the bottom - and be small enough for its mouth. Offering variety, with one staple food supplemented by others, is widely recommended (Merck Veterinary Manual).

Prepared dry foods

Dry foods are available as flakes, pellets, sticks, granules, tablets and wafers, and are manufactured to float or sink depending on the species they are designed for (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0). Flake food is baked to remove moisture, which gives it a long shelf life; it suits surface and mid-water fish, though many bottom dwellers will eat flakes once they settle. Floating pellets and sticks target surface and mid-water fish, while sinking pellets, granules and wafers deliver food to the bottom. Match the size of the food to the size of the fish's mouth.

• Flakes - float then slowly sink; good for surface and mid-water community fish with small mouths.
• Floating pellets and sticks - for surface and mid-water fish with larger mouths.
• Sinking pellets and granules - reach mid-water and bottom feeders.
• Wafers and tablets - sink and hold together for catfish, loaches, plecos and other bottom dwellers; algae wafers add plant matter.
• Freeze-dried (bloodworm, tubifex, brine shrimp) - shelf-stable treats; best soaked before feeding.
• Frozen (bloodworm, Daphnia, brine shrimp) - near-live nutrition and convenient; often used for high-protein feeders such as discus.
• Live (Daphnia, brine shrimp, worms) - the most readily taken food and a strong feeding trigger, but the hardest to source and store.
• Gel foods - bind ingredients into a soft mix, useful for herbivores and fussy or specialist eaters.

Prepared vs live foods

Good prepared foods are formulated to be nutritionally complete, convenient and consistent. Live foods are the most preferred by fish and excellent for conditioning, but they are difficult to obtain, do not keep, and can introduce disease and parasites from their culture into the tank. Frozen and freeze-dried foods are a practical middle ground, delivering much of the appeal of live food in a processed, storable form. Whatever the staple, feeding a variety keeps the diet balanced.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org , www.merckvetmanual.com , www.merckvetmanual.com