Aquarium Feeding Guide

Good feeding is about more than simply choosing a high-quality food. The best results come from matching the size, type and presentation of the food to the animals in your aquarium.

Whether you keep a freshwater community, a planted tank, a cichlid setup or a marine reef, fish, corals, shrimps, snails, clams and other invertebrates can have very different nutritional needs and feeding behaviours. A varied approach is often the best way to keep any mixed aquarium healthy and thriving.

As a simple rule, food should be appropriate for the size of the animal's mouth. Nano pellets, fine crumbles and small particles are ideal for small and juvenile fish — think tetras, rasboras, shrimp and fry — while larger pellets and coarser foods are better suited to medium and large fish such as cichlids, larger catfish or bigger marine species. Many dry foods can also be crushed or adjusted to make them easier for smaller fish to eat.

In reef aquariums, remember that not everything feeds in the same way. Some corals and filter-feeding invertebrates benefit from small suspended particles, while larger-polyped corals and some invertebrates can handle larger pieces of food. Clams, sponges, feather dusters and other specialised filter feeders may require appropriately sized planktonic or liquid foods rather than conventional fish food. In freshwater tanks, bottom-dwellers such as corydoras, loaches and plecos often need sinking foods that reach the substrate, while surface feeders and mid-water shoaling fish do better with flakes or pellets that stay higher in the water column for longer.

Watch your livestock and choose foods that encourage their natural feeding behaviour. Grazing species — from marine tangs to freshwater plecos and algae-eating shrimp — may respond well to foods that can be attached to rockwork, glass or driftwood, while active predators, whether a marine lionfish or a freshwater oscar, may prefer larger frozen or live foods. Shy, slow or highly specialised feeders such as dragonets, seahorses, pipefish, wild-caught discus or nervous new arrivals can benefit from smaller, highly palatable foods and careful, targeted feeding.

Using a variety of food types can also help provide a broader nutritional profile and accommodate different feeding strategies within a community aquarium, marine or freshwater.

Some aquarium inhabitants are simply more difficult to feed than others. Newly introduced, nocturnal, territorial or specialised feeders — whether a shy marine mandarin, a nocturnal freshwater catfish or a timid new cichlid — may need extra patience and targeted feeding. Temporarily reducing strong circulation or flow, using a feeding pipette, or feeding close to the animal can help ensure food reaches the intended recipient without simply becoming waste.

For corals and filter feeders, liquid and planktonic foods can be dispersed through the aquarium so that fine particles remain available in the water column. For freshwater fry, shrimp and other small or delicate feeders, similarly fine or liquid foods can help ensure everyone gets a share before larger tankmates clear it up. Concentrated liquid feeds should always be dosed carefully according to the product instructions, as more food is not necessarily better.

Every aquarium is different. Watch what your animals actually eat, how quickly they respond and whether any food is being left behind. Start conservatively, increase quantities only when necessary, and combine suitable foods to meet the needs of the whole aquarium — whatever the mix of species, marine or freshwater.

The right combination of food size, formulation and feeding method can make feeding more effective, reduce waste and help support healthy growth, natural behaviour and vibrant livestock.

A convenient way to deliver food directly onto glass, rockwork or décor. Shots can be particularly useful when you want food to remain in one place, giving fish, shrimp or other slower feeders time to eat — useful in both marine and freshwater setups. If needed, moisten with aquarium water or a suitable liquid feed to rehydrate the food and improve adhesion.

Small, easy-to-eat pellets developed with smaller aquarium inhabitants in mind. They are particularly suitable for small and juvenile fish — including nano freshwater species such as tetras and shrimp — where conventional pellets may be too large.

A practical staple format for medium to large fish, whether marine or freshwater, with different formulations available to suit different dietary requirements. Pellets can also be crushed for fry and juvenile fish.

A versatile fine-textured food format that works well for smaller fish and can be adjusted further by crushing. Crumbles are especially useful where a smaller particle size is needed, such as for fry, nano fish or small shrimp.

Frozen foods provide a versatile way to offer a varied diet and are available in formats suited to different aquarium inhabitants, from small fish and specialised feeders to larger carnivores and herbivores, across both marine and freshwater systems. Variety can be particularly valuable in mixed aquariums with different dietary needs.

Live food offers some of the most natural and enriching feeding available, triggering hunting and foraging behaviours in both marine and freshwater fish. It's especially valuable for conditioning breeding pairs, tempting fussy or newly introduced fish, and supporting specialised feeders such as seahorses, pipefish, puffers and many freshwater fry that may not readily accept prepared foods. Common options include live brine shrimp, daphnia, bloodworm and similar cultures.

Concentrated liquid food suspensions are designed for a variety of reef inhabitants, including SPS corals and other small filter feeders, LPS corals and larger marine invertebrates, as well as soft corals, sponges, clams, feather dusters and other filter feeders. Selected liquid feeds are also suitable for specialised fish such as dragonets, pipefish and seahorses, and can likewise be useful for freshwater fry, shrimp and other small or delicate feeders that benefit from fine, easily dispersed particles.