Hungry clownfish

[Bleigh]

How much and how often do you feed your fish? I swear my clownfish always act like they’re starving. I’ve read to feed what they can eat in 5 minutes. I feed them once a day and they eat continuously until it’s gone, even if it takes longer than 5 minutes to finish. Then they zoom around and hit the feeder like they’re still looking for more or are trying to tell me, “hey ma, where’s the mysis?” Isthis normal or should I increase how much and/or how often I’m feeding?

Both clowns are growing and seem super happy. My goby’s body is full and the wrasse gets a “food baby” every time he eats. I swear they’re all pigs.

 

[Cell]

They are getting enough. They could be fed and eat more. Both of these are true.

I like thick, healthy fish so I overfeed a bit. I try to do several smaller feedings per day instead of 1 larger one, as it mimics nature slightly more. I'll also adjust to less food if I see algae catching up.

 

[melanotaenia]

I like to feed more often, in smaller quantities. Most wrasses like to eat multiple times per day in smaller amounts.

 

[tdlawdo]

I feed 3-4 times a day. Some of the more active fish need frequent smaller meals. In the wild I imagine they are grazing all the time. So working from home I can toss a few morsels in even between feedings.

 

[PanchoG]

I feed mine twice a day with dry food and every other day with frozen food. The clowns ear like pigs.

Fish always behave hungry no matter how many times you feed them, it is their nature.

 

[Hemmdog]

I feed 3-4 times a day. Some of the more active fish need frequent smaller meals. In the wild I imagine they are grazing all the time. So working from home I can toss a few morsels in even between feedings.

+1
Minimum of 2x a day for SW fish, their metabolisms are higher than fw fish generally speaking. If you see someone saying you can feed your fish 3x a week and be fine, feel bad for that persons fish then promptly correct them.

 

[Mical]

+1 w/Pancho - I feed pellets twice a day. And they always act hungry. I have 4 clowns (pairs in separate tanks) 2 maroons that are 10 years old & a pair of gold nuggets and all are fat & sassy on twice a day feedings.

 

[Crabby48]

Most animals will eat as much as they can. I find fish no different.

 

[Aquanautical]

Both my clowns and my cat make my friends and family think I'm an animal abuser if they witness feeding time

 

[Dom]

I have a pair that are eating machines. They get 1/2 cube of brine or mysis daily.

 

[Silver14SS]

Most animals will eat as much as they can. I find fish no different.

That's why we have all you can eat buffets!

 

[tdlawdo]

Most animals will eat as much as they can. I find fish no different.

thinking of all the barns i have walked into as a vet that smelled like acetone bc the cows got into the sweet feed and ate themselves to near death and now were so ketotic bc of the protein and overeating.

 

[Crabby48]

That's why we have all you can eat buffets!

I ate my third taco as I read this. I was already full

thinking of all the barns i have walked into as a vet that smelled like acetone bc the cows got into the sweet feed and ate themselves to near death and now were so ketotic bc of the protein and overeating.

Some of our fields had a lot of clover so had to watch the cows. They would find patches of clover then bloat. But yet remarkable smart animal

 

[Phil85]

I feed 2-3 times a day with a combo of various pellets. I think the best gauge is looking at their bellies; if they look sunken then feed more. Excessive algae growth or constantly changing GFO could be a marker of overfeeding.
They're like dogs though - always hungry and eager to eat.

 

[ShepherdTech]

+1 w/Pancho - I feed pellets twice a day. And they always act hungry. I have 4 clowns (pairs in separate tanks) 2 maroons that are 10 years old & a pair of gold nuggets and all are fat & sassy on twice a day feedings.

Do you have pics to share? I have a tiny gold nugget who is waiting for a partner to be found by the LFS. Love maroons!

 

[WMR]

I feed 2 times a day, flakes in the morning, frozen in the evening. Different flake each day, different frozen at night, I rotate the foods daily. Every once in a while, I fast them for a day.

 

[MTBake]

I have an auto feeder that feeds a small amount of pellets 3 times a day. I feed frozen once a day during the week and twice a day on weekends.

 

[ShepherdTech]

I feed my tangs seaweed in the morning, pellets 3 times per day and LRS with garlic and vitachem and selcon in the evening. Have the Apex feeder set to the smallest setting with 4 rotations of the drum.

 

[Tastee]

I have an Occ Clownfish pair, Yellow Tang, Lawnmower Blennie, Sixline Wrasse and Orchid Dottyback and feed once a day generally in the evening. I alternate between pellets and frozen food, mostly Mysis. All happy and healthy.