How much to feed your tropical fish.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ต.ค. 2024
- One of the most common mistakes fishkeepers make is overfeeding.
In this video I've laid out some tips and tricks to help you avoid falling into this trap as well as some solutions to try and battle it if you do.
More to come in the future with product reviews, fish info and general aquarium goodness.
Let me know in the comments if there is anything you would like me to cover.
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#feedingfish #tropicalfish #fishfood
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![เปิดใจ "อาจารย์เบียร์ คนตื่นธรรม" อดีตเคยสุดทุกทาง ถ้าใช้หนี้หมดไปบวชแน่ l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IxeE0xVhy08/mqdefault.jpg)
I feed my fish when they are good. If they are naughty, they are sent to bed with an empty belly...
Hmmmm now everything makes sense on why all your fish are nothing but skin and bones 😂
🤣🤣🤣 I wondered why they all behaved so well when I visited.
I wouldn't want to be a fish in your.... wait actually I would, your tanks are awesome.
@@Stendo_4PF not true mike. They are always good so always get fed :) ...although I'm an every other day feeding guy.
@@MDFishTanks Lolol i know I know. Just joking. I’ve probably watched every video on your channel so I know all about your feeding routine
You're becoming my favourite fish expert on you tube. Very informative and well explained.
That's amazingly kind of you! ❤️❤️❤️
I've found that in my community tank, it's best to feed the flake food first, and about 10-15 seconds later I'll throw in the broken up wafer or pellets for the bottom feeders. Otherwise my tetras just grab the pellets and swim around with them in their mouths if I put them in first lol, and the poor corys get nothing 😅.
That's a great idea! ❤️❤️❤️
Same with my Kuhli loaches
Just as an aside, I think you're doing really well with your videos. Practical, helpful information. You have your own way of presenting and it's just fine.
I used to own and maintain 35 rental tanks for different shops and restaurants. We had installed 2 or 3 small auto feeders for flake or pellet but we made it so that the staff got to feed usually frozen food every day. The feeding was marked in Sharpie on the foil for ease. This kept the tanks and fish healthier while still engaging the staff and allowing interactions with the fish. Everyone had their favorite fish. Worked great.
Your advice is spot on! I've been in the hobby for decades and long before Google and TH-cam. I think I've learned more in the past couple years than ever before. The biggest thing I stress to people is it's your tank so you have to decide. Choices in the hobby can seen overwhelming from food, filtration, fish selection, tank size, CO2 or not, maintenance methods, plants, and the list goes on. I realize it can be almost impossible to decide for new hobbyists, but I would hate someone telling me what I can or cannot do with my tank. Just like the food examples today, pick a path and know you can always change if you wish. Really jealous I don't live anywhere near a real fish store such as your location. Please continue providing all the great content! Much love and respect from the US!!
I tend toward well-cycled, heavily-planted, understocked tanks, and I only feed them a few times a week. I like to change up the food I offer. If they aren’t scrambling to eat, they aren’t working the way they’d have to in the wild. Whenever possible, I like a shrimp cleanup crew, just like using springtails and isopods in a vivarium. You’re a legend, Matt. Best advice anyone could ever offer is that you can always add more.
Shouldnt change up too much.. not like that in wild...
Great video. My tip for feeding frozen foods: rinse the food after it’s defrosted, and especially do not add the water the food defrosted in to your tank. It is full of phosphates and can lead to bad algae situations!
Is this a thing? How are you separating the food from the water?
Absolutely spot on! I've found different brands of frozen seem to be dirtier than others but it's always a good idea to use a fine net to wash your frozen out in.
*mind blown* 🤯
@@Koristhegamer I'm sure we all have our ways. I like to pop an aquarium only tea strainer on top of a mug, plop the frozen food into the strainer, and pour boiling water over it. I fill until the water goes up into the strainer and then wait a while. All you're left with when you lift the strainer out is the food.
This seems a bit of a myth honestly. Someone on a Dutch aquarium forum tested this and the result was on a 100 litre aquarium a dose of 0.016mg/l PO4 daily from one cube of Cyclops also daily. Something a planted aquarium can handle easily. In a plantless aquarium it might add up over time, but not with the required water changes.
On top of that, PO4 is no root cause for algae in planted tanks. People have tanks with 5 ppm without algae (3 times what's advised)
Great video Matt. Here's my humble top 5 tips from across the pond for your viewers (and you too if you'll accept them!): 1. In a 7 day feeding cycle, if your species allows for it, build in one FULL day of fasting. For example I do not feed my Oranda goldfish on Sundays. It allows the fish to fully vent out their digestive systems, AND perhaops just as important, it allows my filters a full day of rest as well. 2. Always watch your fish eat - always. Feeding is when you can get an idea of their overall visual health of your fish and also tell if how much you are feeding is enough, not enough or just right. 3. Use the best fish food you can buy (like Matt said in the video) this includes frozen and market shrimp and seafood. 4. Do NOT rely on carbon or chemical means to keep your tank water clear. If your water is yellow or smelly - you are overfeeding or overstocked or both. Simply reduce your feeding amounts, and INCREASE your water change schedule - ditch the carbon - it's unnecessary. 5. BONUS TIP: I've found in my 40 years of fishkeeping that good ceramic media should make up 90 percent of your filters capacity. **Note: sponges should be kept to the actual INTAKE of the filter so it can be removed and rinsed regularly. The remaining 10 percent of accessible filter media should be the floss you can get at any home craft store that is used to stuff dolls or pillows - super cheap and works just as good as any carbon you can buy to keep you tank spotless - change this floss every 2-4 days - if you are changing it more often you are overfeeding. BONUS BONUS TIP Finally - keep a bottle API Aqua Clear on hand. For new set ups that are cloudy because of substrate (NOT BACTERIA BLOOM) - this stuff flat out works. If you ever want to get your tank SUPER crispy when guest come over, this stuff will work hard for you. I don't use it often at all, but when I do, WOW!
Great ideas! The key to fish keeping is you're constantly learning, then developing these things to what works for you!
@@FishShopMatt Bingo! It's science & art.
@@FishShopMatt Thank you!!
Great advice here. One point, I do prefer lava rock over ceramic media. It is cheap and just seems to last forever in a canister filter.
I'm also a massive fan of Seachem Pristine, which does a similar job supporting maintenance and adding that extra level of crispness.
@@andreashessler838 Thanks! Lava rock is cheaper you're right. I always worry about the lava rock leaching iron or whatnot into the water. Plus, it seems everything always turns orangy brown and lots of lava rock dust. But I do like lava rock.
Best tip there. DO not clean filters in tap water! Thanks Matt
You can. Just rinse in dechlorinted or old water...
@@barry1122 I think the point was the chlorine will negatively affect the healthy bacteria in the filter. The filter only needs to be rinsed out, not scrubbed til it's perfectly clean.
As a complete novice I’m really enjoying your videos ,just brilliantly explaining everything so easy to take info on board, great presenter👏🏻
Why haven't I thought of actually measuring food? Brilliant! Basic information but SO helpful. I've been feeding every other day over the last few months and it's really helped.
Another good one, sir! 👏
Thank you ❤️
One thing I took from this was to not feed big in one sitting, but to space it out a little more. That's advice that I'll definitely process. Thanks
Thank you ❤️❤️❤️
Where has the Ummm gone 🤔 😂!! Boom Matt is on fire 🔥 very good video and can see you doing very well on TH-cam Matt,I will have to pop up soon ,been a long time since I visited the shop 👍
Thank you buddy! Yeah definitely pop up would be good to catch up!
@@FishShopMatt 100%
i love that stingray trying to eat the go pro lol
Matt, I'm so glad you started making videos. I love watching MD, but now I get more content to watch. Don't tell MD, but yours are just as good as his. Love what you do, Matt. Please keep the awesome videos coming. Very helpful. I need more...
How apt that I sit back to watch my inhabitants go wild for tubifex stuck to the glass and this is the first video in my recommended list when I open the app.
It's like TH-cam knew! ❤️❤️❤️
Great information Matt,
The scoop idea is an excellent pro-tip and I will make sure to add that to my daily regimen. Love your tips and work. Keep up the great tips and work.
Very Respectfully,
Carlos.
Finally, a vid somewhere that covers this subject that isn't put in take-out what's left. Thx.
Only recently I decided to build my first (tiny) tank/box, and I just want to say that yours and MD's channel is helping a lot!
Also I have a vague idea about tiny fish needs tiny amount of food, but have no idea just how tiny that amount is gonna be 😂😂
I ran across this video five months after it was posted - and I appreciate it so much! I’ve been keeping fish around 36 years and the one thing I never feel I have a handle on is how much and how often to feed the fish. I appreciate the tips and advice. I’ll try the measured cup method and maybe I’ll report back. Thanks for the advice. Next time I cross the Atlantic I’ll drop in for a visit.
I used to keep 3 tanks, 29 gal, 10 gal, 5 gal. I was very stingy on food, and it worked well. I fed 2 or three times a day, but small amounts so not much made it to the bottom. I had excellent plant growth and threw away lots of foxtail every two weeks, had valisneria carpeting the bottom, and no disease. I had snails, and whenever one crawled onto a large flat rock, I crushed him with a wooden dowel stick and the fish ate him. Fresh protein bonus, and controlled snail population. They never seemed to figure it out and kept getting on the rock!
I have always struggled with high nitrates 40ppm + and sometimes much higher. I just cannot seem to lower them. I have a heaviky planted tank (260litres) with an oase biomaster 600 and is well aerated . Well yes the tank is overstocked but everything is healthy. I do feed quite a bit and i think my mum feeds the tank during the day whilst im at school. My maintenance schedule isnt that consistent but i try to do a water change once every 2 weeks. So i think ill cut down feeding as you said here to try and combat it. Thanks👍
Hey. I feed a large variety of foods to my Guppies twice a day, first feed when the lights are turned on & second feed when I change lights to sunset mode. They bag 24hrs a day though lol. Little cuties 🐟💕
Had a little trip over to maidenhead aquatics in Belfast yesterday 😊lovely little day out beautiful garden centre and a coffee shop thank god I was busting to use the toilet 😁👍 had a nice coffee and a raspberry ruffle then a nice walk around the garden centre all kinds of great stuff 💯👍 came home with 2 neon blue gobeys and 2 orange killifish they have settled in to ther new home and are doing great 👍, smashing day out ☺❤
Awwww that's great to hear you had a good day out and got some awesome fish! ❤️
I'm thinking this weekend I'm binge watching Fish Shop Matt... Just so enjoy your videos while watching my tanks and fish... Cheers 🍻 👏
You are really good at explaining and it's so generous of you to share all this knowledge you have!
Love that you show us in practical ways (measurement cups, images of filters and actual feedings etc).
I have been struggeling with how much to feed my fishes. Will try to feed small, but two times a day now. Thanks!
Listen here sir, filter cleaning day is the best part of tank ownership.. ummm just kidding hahah awesome video extremely helpful!
Thank you buddy, I'm glad you like filter cleaning day your tank must be spotless hahaha.
Thank you for the visual with numbers of fish and example of feed quantities.
Top video! Great watch, just gutted your not my local fish shop. Amazing selection of everything 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you! ❤️❤️❤️
Perfect timing of this video…. My husband has been telling me off for over feeding our fish, watched this and I’m definitely over feeding 😬. Loving your channel.
Excellent video. I'm definitely over feeding. MD sent me 🇺🇸
Wow, even though I don’t keep fish, I watched the whole video and found it super interesting.
I wish you all the best for your channel, have fun and enjoy yourself.
A bunch of greetings from Cologne/Germany. ☀️
Hello! 👋 Thank you for the kind words! Glad you found it interesting.
Grüße in die alte Heimat aus dem Bergischen Land
I love how the bottle says feed as much as your fish can eat in 3 minutes
Carrying buckets is my workout 😂
Hi Matt, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I really enjoy your videos. Greetings from South Africa.
The thumbnail though. Are we not gonna talk about that? No hamburgers and pizza for my fish ?...? My fish will be wanting a word Matt! 🤣
Great vid & thanks for sharing! I'll cut the burger, fries & pizza up in small bite sizes for them.😛
I've heard if you cut it up small they do very well on fast food 🤣
@@FishShopMatt Good to know! 🤣
I'm Trying to Watch Matt But My Eyes keep going to the background to the show going on in that tank 😍 But I did hear you Matt Great Video and Info!
Thank you, yeah I was totally distracted by the rays when I was editing!
love the videos matt can we get a video of the tanks that you own in your personal collection
Yeah got a plan for one in the near future hopefully, unfortunately I spend more time in the shop than at home at the moment. Hahaha
That was a great video! It answered questions I’ve had a while. THANK YOU!
Thanks so much for doing these tips and tricks my grandson has just started fish keeping and he is now addicted to Fish shop Matt .I have goldfish who throw pebbles at the glass when they want food so yes I over feed thanks again keep up the great content
Hahaha thank you! ❤️
I like this type of video please do more
Will do, thank you! ❤️
hi Matt, how would you moderate frozen foods? for example how much would one cube of frozen blood worms feed? love the videos and keep it up!
It's a tricky question, but I would defrost a cube in a little bowl and then feed it slowly over an hour or so and see how much your tank will eat.
I will try and do a video on it in the future.
I've enjoyed it, I have a small 80 by 60 inch aquarium with nine fish and some shrimp so i feed the little ones every other day.
Wow that was interesting Matt, I have really over fed as I have a lot of brown and green algae, but I’m stripping my 4 foot out and start again. Thank you ❤❤❤
Had an opposite issue with my tank years ago. Was feeding all the fish variety of food, not too much, so never issues with algae. But was wondering why my plecos never grow like in other peoples tanks. I was underfeeding them! Adding a bit more algae tablets made massive difference in their growth. Lots more poo, I must admit, but I had a big external filter and not too many fish, so it was fine.
That scoop idea is top notch! Definitely will be using it. Thank you!
This is an excellent video, thanks!
Thank you ❤️
Great video Matt. I wish there was something like this when I started out. Perhaps you could do more beginners videos covering the basics e.g. cycling, acclimating, ferts, algae control, lighting levels, etc. etc.
Great video Matt! I wish Maidenhead Aquatics was in the US, I would love to visit the shop
Thank you. Maybe one day, never say never.
Great informative video. One thing I have seen on other channels is people that have a lot aquariums raise their own live food cultures. What are the pros and cons of doing this?
Thank you for showing us the brand names of your fish food. I also use the Bug Bites brand! I want to take care of my pets so I don’t feed the cats Friskies, or my fish Tetra brand. Great idea by posting the names of the fish so we at home can learn more. Don’t worry about saying “umm” because it’s charming and makes you human. Greetings from “almost” Chicago, Illinois, USA!
Good info, thanks. I think I'm doing OK, am feeding my 12 Neon Tetras a few microgranules each per day.
Thank you for the video. Fun to watch. I don’t even keep fish! 😂🤣😂
Very helpful video,I'm feeding way too much
more on this Matt!!! great video!!! love it amd listening to u.
Thank you ❤️
Great to see a demonstration! Seen so many vids in the past where they say ‘a pinch’ - what does that mean?! 😂. Good vid thanks
That's great to hear, thank you! ❤️
Another winner!!! Great info -- thanks again! Loving your channel, Matt! -- (from a chronic over-feeder!)
Matt. This is awesome. More beginner tips.
I would love to see how you do a waterchange. I am very tired of carrying buckets.
Keep making indepth helpful videos on certain products and what they do? Maybe like 3 different ones in a video and definitely need some od ball products!
Awesome will try my best! ❤️
Yes Matt new video again a video with a lot of information for beginners and the more experienced.
Thank you I hope to pass on as much knowledge and ultimately help people succeed.
I swear by baby brine shrimp, especially when raising fry but all adult species love em too!
I have watched all your videos
Thank you ❤️❤️❤️
Fantastic video. Giving me second thoughts about how to feed the fish over the day.
Glad it was informative for you. ❤️❤️❤️
Great informative video. Thank you ✌️
Thank you! ❤️
Top video again Matt! Weird you uploaded this, was thinking to myself do I over feed? Then your video popped up… must be a sign 🤣👍 keep up the good work mate and keep them videos coming! 😁
Great video again, Matt, loving it!
Mat, really glad I’ve stumbled on your channel, this is exactly what I’ve been looking for. Awesome video, keep up the good work Brother. The Beard is strong
Thank you buddy, very kind of you to say! ❤️
Great tips Matt and you are a youtuber now
🤣🤣🤣 suppose I am! ❤️
I have those exact severums they have a beautiful pink at the top of their dorsal fin ... and i have those massive angels too
Great video. I learned a lot , mostly that I am over feeding my tank! Lol
Using the little spoon is a great tool to keep that in check. All of the comments here are informative. You have created a wonderful space for conversation.
Great video Matt. I also use a spoon to control amount of food.
Thanks for the tip about using something like a measuring cup! Such a simple idea, which I am definitely using from now on 👍
🐟🦀🐚🐢🦐🐌
I just want to thank you for the great information. I am new to the hobby and am having a hard time getting good help my my fish shops here in Canada. Thank you!
Well done, Matt.
☺️ thanks for sharing another video Matt.
Thank you! ❤️
Hi mat, could you do a review on a free standing ponds please.
Young Matt you are indeed *"The Beard of Knowledge"* and the Sage to MD's Onion 😂😂 Do you have any advise or guidance for us budding fish keepers who are not fortunate enough to live in an area with the now legendary "Magic West Country Water"? other than to move there😀? are there reliable ways to recreate a similar water chemistry without huge expense?
😂😂😂 thank you ❤️ there are some things you can do I will try to video it in depth at a later date.
But have a look at using seachem equilibrium and r.o water. One of my colleagues swears by this method.
@@FishShopMatt Thank you
The content the internet needs. One for the Algorithm.
One more for the algorithm! ❤️❤️❤️
awesome video...
Thank you! ❤️
Thanks, Matt. A video on filter maintenance would be great!!
Great video and deffinetly added to the data bank. can we get a video on filters and servicing then?
I will absolutely do a video on this at some point.
Excellent video Matt.
Another banging video Matt! I barely heard even one um 😂👍 thanks for the tips! Yeah I used to feed way to much! Now it’s barely a pinch a day of omega one super color flakes and two to three hikari mini algae wafers! Can’t wait for the next video mate!
I helpful and informative video. Thank you.
Great tips, thank you !!
Thank you❤️
We’ve gone from a small amount twice a day to a reasonable amount once every other day and a treat of frozen brine shrimp once a week. As well as but bites and algae wafers once a week. There staple food has been micro pellets.
Great video ! Following you from MD FISH TANKS. You guys give us soo much good & useful info. I live in FL in the U.S.A. I have betta fish right now but have kept a community tank, goldfish, & a koi pond in the last 25 years, off & on. Introduced my kids to fishkeeping & now my grandson too ! Looking forward to more great videos. Welcome to TH-cam Matt !
🐟🐠🐡
Thanks, Matt!
I’ve been guilty of over feeding but this was a helpful reminder to keep it little and often if necessary I try to offer a lot of options and frozen constantly ❤️🌸
Everyone is guilty at some point.
Loved it mate!!!! live foods are good for protein, variety and take a little longer to digest so in-between feeding times can be extended. Making sure your fish can clear the items within 5 minutes is key to not having any bad parameter spikes. Im kinda lucky that having heavily planted tanks also help break down fish waste quickly in those hard to see areas. Great content again, loved the little never clean your sponge media under the tap
Thank you buddy very kind! Agree with you totally! ❤️❤️❤️
Great video 😊
I allwas go after food without so much corn.
Quiet honestly love your videos :)
I needed this video. Hopefully it will sort my algae out. Cheers matt
Fingers crossed! ❤️
Thank you for a great video
I thought I had lots of fish in my planted 250L tank but just doing a count I only have 35 and honestly I thought that I’m starting to over stock 😂,
I feed once daily with a quarter algae wafer sometimes half I just put a pinch in compared to you and MD my pinch is small and the large pieces are gone within under a minute with the exception of the wafer, that’s in there for my Corey’s and shrimp. Sometimes I miss a day, I would be interested in what you and others do when you go on holiday, personally I feed mine up with a little more than usual then leave them alone, rightfully or wrongfully. Great video again Matt keep them coming. Cheers. Steve.
A very good idea for a vid! Liked it! Definitely covering cleaning products/ cleaning tips and what works/ what doesnt would be a good idea for a future vid!
I would really reinforce that it 100% depends on your specific tank, its inhabitants, how it is planted and how it is filtered- AND how it evolves as time goes on. Mostly I feed every other day but some times I feed daily. I certainly dont see the need to feed multiple times a day!
(Now for the essay...) My tanks are all heavily planted nanos and not heavily stocked, with internal filters and minimal maintenance, usually once a month. All have gravel under the sand for additional bio filtration- my tetra tank actually has a tonne of spare bionoodles as the base layer in the raised back section coz thats what I had on hand at the time 😂 They all have shrimp which helps with algae and biofilm clean up, the tetra tank also has a few ottos and a greedy bristlenose, my paludarium has a heap of shrimp (started as my shrimp breeder tank) with a school of pygmy cories and a small bristlenose and my tiny quarantine tank currently has some quarantining guppies but usually only houses shrimp (its too small for fish long term IMO). All three take different amounts of food, based on the conditions at the time. The tetra tank used to get an algae wafer a few times a week as top up coz theres enough surfaces in the tank for the inhabitants to get algae from- but since my algae issue has righted itself and Mrs Bristlenose is bigger, she gets an algae wafer most (not all) feeding sessions. I alter between a granule and flake food for the tetra and its a small pinch since its a nano based on the number of fish and how much I see them eat. The shrimp paludarium never used to get fed much each feeding session coz theres so many biofilm surfaces, but now theres more shrimp and I notice they nom the food quite quickly they get fed more- but some sessions they get a small amount, others a larger amount, plus they also get indian almond leaves. I also vary which food they get/ what amounts ( between algae wafers, shrimp pellets and bottom feeder pellets). The small quarantine tank is the same- when theres quarantining fish, a bit of either granule or flake food with less shrimp pellets since the shrimp will help clean up any dropped food. ATM I have a heavily pregnant guppy, so I am feeding small amounts daily to make sure she is getting the food she needs for her developing young- and when it has quarantining fish the filter gets cleaned more regularly. When its only shrimp the bioload is minimal and needs less maintenance- and even so I've never had that filter be particularly dirty. I've not fed live/ frozen food coz til now I only had one small tank of tetra so it wasn't worth getting the food (defrosting one block or even half a block would definitely overfeed the tank!) but since I'm about to get another tank running with guppies, it will be worth it :) I'm also gonna get another brand/ type of food to add since both my granules and flakes are half full, and that'll vary what they get. Also I have a test kit to keep an eye on things- but more importantly is just checking the tanks and knowing what is normal behaviour of the inhabitants and conditions, and what is not so you can get to any issues quickly.
Oh- another point- if you have shrimp make sure your fish food is shrimp safe! Some fish foods contain copper.
BTW I'm a novice at fish keeping, only been doing it just over a year so this is just what I've learnt over that year and watching youtube vids (Thanks MD!)/ researching. I did previously keep tetra years ago and I KNOW I overfed that tank- plus it wasnt planted. ALWAYS had algae issues! Now, my two shrimp tanks are always clean, minimal algae, minimal maintenance, and my tetra tank had issues coz I think I overdid the nutrients when I rescaped, had spikes, had fish deaths, had more nutrients and algae... you get the picture. It's now balanced/ fixed, healthy plants, healthy fish, and I monitor it more closely.
Wonderful video, loving this!
Thank you ❤️
Thanks mate nice video👍
Definitely put in half as much food the next time! 😂