How often to feed the fish, 1 time per day, 2 times a day, 1 time per day... What do many novice aquarists often ask? The key to determining the frequency of feeding is the growth needs of the fish. Just like a person's growth: infants, adolescents, adults, ornamental fish also have similar stages:
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Let's make an analogy here:
Analogy of the growth stage of fish
Roughly divide the growth stages of the fish. The feeding frequency at each stage is also similar to that of human eating.
First of all, the juvenile fish, ornamental fish whether fetal or oviparous, just took off are collectively referred to as juvenile fish
At this time, young fish are like babies, and we all know that babies need to be breastfed multiple times a day, because babies have a fast metabolism and need a lot of nutrients to grow their bodies.
Juvenile fish
The same is true for juvenile fish, which in nature survive by preying on various microorganisms, algae or other foods provided by their parents in the water body, and eat for an unlimited time and eat when hungry.
In the closed and clean fish tank, the water body basically does not contain edible microorganisms, and the protein worms are not counted, and can only survive on the food provided by the owner: shrimp, water fleas, red worms and so on.
The juvenile stage is a key period for shaping the size and physical fitness of the fish, and the feeding frequency must be high enough, at least 3 times a day to meet the growth needs of juvenile fish. At this stage, feeding is based on feeding, so that the juvenile fish can eat as much as possible, and eat until the stomach is round and rolling.
Feed until the belly is round and rolling
There are malnourished children living there are malnourished fish, and the reasoning is consistent. Juvenile fish have gone from being hungry for snacks to becoming old men who are only old and have a long body but do not grow or grow slowly.
The old man fish, skilled in life skills, but not long
Pressed and adult stages
Immediately after the last video, the fish enter the press period, just like people enter the adolescent period. It is still in the stage of physical development and needs a wealth of nutrients to meet the needs of growth.
It is possible to feed fish in the pressurized stage according to the frequency of 1 time in the morning and 1 time in the evening, or 3 times in the morning, middle and evening.
To sum up: just as the growth of the human body begins in infancy and basically ends before adulthood. The rapid growth of the fish's body begins with the juvenile fish, and by the end of the pressure into the fish, the size of the body is basically fixed. The juvenile stage and the press-formation period are the key periods for cultivating the body shape of the fish, and if they are missed, they are missed and can no longer be reversed. Just as a person is an adult, no matter how well he eats, he will not grow up.
Stingrays feed
Once it enters the adult stage, the sexual maturity of the fish is gradually stabilized. At this time, even if the fish appetite is still very good, there are still many feedings, and the size of the fish will only be wider and longer, that is, fat. As for whether the fish are overweight and healthy, I will not comment on it.
The adult stage is recommended to feed once a day, and as the fish gets older, the metabolism of the fish becomes slower and slower, and it is possible to feed once every 2 or 3 days.
Some aqua friends say that their own fish are not fed long, most likely because the actual age of the fish is already an adult fish, and the body shape has been fixed.
What needs to be noted here is that the age of the fish ≠ the size of the individual, and it is not uncommon for the son to be taller than the father. It is very normal for many pressed adult fish to be larger than adult fish, which in addition to the invisible genetic problem, the most important thing is that the juvenile fish to the cultivation period of the pressed adult fish, the fish get sufficient nutrients and growth space.
The effect of water temperature, water quality, and water body on feeding
In addition to the growth needs of fish, the main factors such as water temperature, water quality and water body are determined by the frequency of feeding.
Water temperature is the most direct nutrient factor for fish metabolism, for example, koi at 10 degrees water temperature, fish food from intake to excretion takes about 19 hours. At 25 degrees Celsius, it takes less than 1 hour. The right temperature can indeed make the fish digest better, and feeding in time can make the fish grow faster. Many koi are fed very differently in winter than in summer, and temperature is the most important factor.
Water quality, stable pH, ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, nitrate within a reasonable range, dissolved oxygen is enough, healthy fish appetite will be more vigorous, growth is faster.
The larger the water body, the greater the space for the fish to move, and naturally it can eat more and longer, and the fish's desire to eat is stronger. Pond fish are often larger than tank fish. At the Fuzhou Goldfish Base, pond-raised large-bodied goldfish are everywhere, while in the family tanks there are very few. In addition to the large water body, the pond is also rich in algae green moss, and the activity and feeding of goldfish are basically unrestricted.
Fish pond real shot
Actual shooting Fuzhou Lanshou
Of course, there are other factors that affect the feeding of fish, and this is not going to continue to be developed here. The above analysis is only a reference for everyone, and I hope that everyone will be flexible in looking at their own fish.
Finally, by the way:
Fish in nature eat nuts
Fish in nature, rich food sources will not starve to death, leaves, nuts, moss, green algae, all kinds of aquatic plankton, bugs, etc. can eat, but domestic fish, living in clean water, even if it is an adult fish, it is not recommended to be hungry for a long time, long-term not feeding, fish can only continue to consume body reserves, sooner or later will run out of oil, malnutrition and death. It is said that fish will not starve to death, we must first look at various conditions of dependence, use our brains, and have a degree in everything, it is only a matter of time.