Although there are many aspects to a home aquarium, if you have
good aquarium filtration, the right number of fish in your tank plus
the right nutrition for those aquarium fish, your maintenance requirements
can be reduced and your pet fish will be very happy and healthy.
Nutrition is an area all pet fish owners need to consider when keeping
an aquarium. There are two important reasons:
1. The health of your aquarium fish depends on it.
2. How often and what you feed your pet fish will have significant
impact on biological ecosystem in your aquarium.
Listed below are some of the problems of overfeeding:
- Cloudy water, results in an unpleasant tank to view.
- More fish waste, requiring extra maintenance and work.
- Algae growth, results in an unpleasant tank to view.
- Sick fish, could lead to fish dying and replacement costs.
- Uneaten food, goes straight to waste and creates more work for
you.
Find out how easy it is to feed aquarium fish
properly »
Aquarium fish need nutrients to stay healthy similar to all other
animals:
- Fatty acids (omega 3’s)
- Vitamins & minerals
- Proteins, which contain the essential amino acids
- Carbohydrates & fibre
Find a quality pet fish food and where you can buy it in our product
listing »
Omega 3 fatty acids
Fishmeal is the best source for all essential amino acids and a rich
source of fatty acids including omega 3’s, which play a major role
in aquarium fish development.
Omega 3 fatty acids are both poly-unsaturated fatty acids found primarily
in fishmeal and the fish oil.
Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency signs may include;
- Reduced growth rates and feed efficiency.
- Reduced resistance to bacterial infections.
- Fish distress.
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamins and minerals are needed in varying quantities and are dependant
on the direct needs of the fish.
Vitamins play an important role in relation to growth and health
benefits, better performance of the metabolic functions, and enhanced
immune benefits.
Minerals play an important role in cellular membranes, components
of soft tissues, blood and all structural constituents of bones,
fins and scales. Fish will also absorb dissolved minerals from the
water, either through the gills, fins and oral epithelia.
Proteins and Carbohydrates
Plant extracts play an important role with several plant proteins
and grain by-products used on a regular basis in fish diets. Wheat
contains nutrients essential for fish, and with proper thermal processing
to enhance digestibility, they become a great source product for
energy.