What is the best food for aquarium fish?

Fish, like any other pet we may have at home, need good nutrition to grow and live healthily in the aquarium. That's why, from the very beginning, it's our responsibility to provide our fish with quality food to ensure they enjoy good health.

It's worth noting that an aquarium can house different types of fish, including tropical, coldwater, marine, or bottom-dwelling fish. Therefore, we'll need to adapt our fish's diet to their needs. If we don't know in advance what type of food is best for them, the best option is to consult a veterinarian or specialist to clear up any doubts. Also, if you're wondering where to buy fish food, you've come to the right place!

Types of fish food

Before selecting the type of food we'll give our fish, we'll need to know the different species we have in our aquarium and what each one eats in its habitat. This way, we'll ensure we're providing the right food . It's also important to keep in mind that the more varied our pet's diet is, the better nutritional quality it will provide. Below is a list of the most common options:

• Live food: This is one of the most natural alternatives. However, you must be careful with the type you buy, as it can also be a source of pathogens and diseases for your fish. This type of food typically includes daphina , a type of small crustacean, mosquito larvae, shrimp, and tubifex (small worms).
• Fresh food: This option consists of items such as small shrimp, mussels, beef heart, chicken, animal offal, or even other fish. These foods can be provided occasionally, as they are of natural origin, and in chopped form, depending on the size of the fish in the aquarium. Also keep in mind that they can contaminate the aquarium, so you'll need to pay special attention to its cleanliness.
• Freeze-dried food: This type of food is an excellent alternative, as it's live food that has undergone a special drying process that allows it to retain all its nutrients while remaining equally appetizing to our aquatic friends. It's also free of pathogens and parasites and a very good source of protein.
• Dry food: This type of food is the most common, as it can be found in virtually all specialty stores. The most common formats are flake food, pellet food, and pellet food. One of their advantages is that they are specifically formulated for each species, so they are highly targeted to a specific type of animal.
• Frozen fish food: Daphnia or tubifex, among others, can be found in pet supply stores. They're the perfect alternative if you don't have live food available. However, before feeding it to your fish, you'll need to thaw it and wait for it to come to room temperature.
• Puree: This type of food is obtained by grinding the food once the different ingredients have been mixed. Before choosing this option, keep in mind that it will dirty and contaminate the water, so you'll need to pay special attention to cleaning and maintaining the aquarium.

If you are looking for some fish food alternatives, such as coldwater fish food, or want to find out the best tropical fish food, at Arquivet you can find several options of different types that can be of great help to you.

How to choose a fish tank?

One of the decisions you'll need to make if you want to keep fish as pets is choosing an aquarium suitable for all of them. While it's true that everything will depend primarily on the space you have at home and the type of fish you want, below are some factors to consider when choosing your aquarium.

• Selecting the correct aquarium size: As we mentioned earlier, depending on the space available at home, you can choose one aquarium or another and adjust the number of fish that will live in it according to its size. It's worth noting that the dimensions of an aquarium are based on the liters of water it holds. Furthermore, and although it may seem strange, larger aquariums are easier to maintain as they help maintain the water level better and require less cleaning. However, you should consider the weight of the aquarium with all the water inside and find a stable location for it.
• Decide on the type of water: There are two types of water: freshwater and saltwater. The elements and accessories you'll need for each type of aquarium will be different, as will the fish that will live inside. It's worth noting, especially if you're just starting out in the world of fishkeeping, that freshwater aquariums are easier to maintain and require a smaller financial investment, making them a good starting point. Later, if you're passionate about this world, you can move on to saltwater aquariums and continue exploring this exciting sector.
• Water temperature: Not all fish thrive in water with the same temperature. You should keep in mind that depending on the water temperature, you may have one type of fish or another. If you want a fish tank with warm water, you'll need a thermostat. In these cases, the temperature is usually maintained at a steady 25 degrees. On the other hand, if you prefer a cold water tank, you won't need a thermostat, but you'll probably need a larger tank because cold water fish tend to be larger than those with warmer temperatures.
• Selecting fish: Aquarium size, water type, and temperature are three key factors that will determine which fish will live in your aquarium. In addition to all of the above, you'll need to consider what species can coexist with each other so that your aquarium is a good place for all of them.
• The financial investment: There are many pet supply stores or online retailers where you can buy all of these items. However, before deciding on one option or another, we recommend comparing prices. When comparing items, consider that they are comparable, meaning that you compare offers that offer the same products. For example, sometimes some fish tanks come with filters and heaters as standard, while others don't, so you'll need to take these factors into consideration. Finally, if you want a professional opinion to advise you throughout this process and help you choose, you can always visit a specialized store.

What should I do with my fish if I go on vacation?

Easter, summer, and Christmas are coming... and we want to take that trip we've always had in mind. We need to unwind and get away from our routine, but having pets means we have a responsibility to them and must provide them with all the necessary care, without our relaxing time affecting their daily lives.

When we have a dog, cat, or rodent, the task is easier, but when it comes to fish, which aren't great travelers and can be extremely difficult to transport, we'll need a plan and some organization to properly care for them while we're away. Below, we provide some tips for caring for your fish while on vacation.

• Fish food on vacation: In case you didn't know, there are solutions on the market that can provide quality food for your fish while you're away. There are specialized foods that last from a weekend to 14 days. It's usually a food block that dissolves in the water, so it works like a fish food dispenser, but not exactly. It provides food continuously. It's a good option because it doesn't pollute the water and our fish will be well-fed during our absence.
• Fish food dispenser: Another alternative is to install a dispenser in your aquarium. With this option, especially if it's a programmable one, you'll simply fill the compartments with food and decide when to feed them. It's a perfect choice for large aquariums.
• Control the water temperature: Fish can tolerate small temperature fluctuations as they are accustomed to cycles. However, especially in summer, where there can be sudden temperature changes, we must take special care. The first option is to place the aquarium in the coolest area of ​​the house. If this isn't possible, we will need someone to help cool the house with the air conditioning, or even, if we can turn on the air conditioning remotely, we can do it ourselves during the trip.
• Install a timer: Fish, like humans, need a day and night cycle, so installing a lighting timer can be a great ally, not only on vacation, but also when you're at home.
• Check your fish's health: This should be done regularly, not just before going on vacation. Monitoring your little ones' physical condition is very important to keep your pets from getting sick.
• Have a fishkeeper: Do everything you can to arrange for someone to care for your fish while you're away. While there are ways to manage this without anyone present, it's always good to have the peace of mind that someone is looking after your fish to handle any eventuality.