TIP from FNM: Fish Food Nutritional Composition

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Feeding

Do not feed the fish more than what they can eat within 2-5 minutes, once/twice a day and when possible, stick to a schedule, this will ensure that your fishes are happy and healthy

Nutritional Composition of Fish Diets

1. Protein

Mainly, fish diets tend to be very high in protein. Foods for fry and fingerlings often exceeds 50% crude protein.
As growth rate decreases and fish age, protein levels in their diet are decreased accordingly.
Protein levels on grow-out diets often approach or exceed 40% crude protein
While maintenance diets may contain as little as 25-35%.

2. Fiber

Small quantities of fiber aids digestion, however they should not be too high
Carnivores are not able to digest fiber well, and hence should not have more than 4% in their diets
To remain healthy, herbivores should have between 5 and 10 percent fiber in their diet

3. Fat

The composition of fat in fish diets should be low.
Even carnivores fish require less than 8% in their diet
Herbivores fish require less than 3%
Excessive fat in diets will lead to accumulation and may damage the liver, and can potentially result in disease and early death
Fish faces difficulties when dieting hard fats such as those in beef
Polyunsaturated fats such as those in brine shrimp are mostly digestible and is useful when conditioning fish for breeding

4. Carbohydrates

Fish do not need large amount of carbohydrates in their diet. Too much of it can prevent proper growth.
The danger of higher percentages of carbohydrate is that it results in reduction in other essential nutrients. This is exceptionally true for young fishes, which requires high levels of protein
Adult fishes can tolerate as much as 40% carbohydrate in their diet without ill effects.
Most of the carbohydrate in fish food is in the form of starches which is used to bind the food and prevent it from rapidly disintegrating in the water.

5. Minerals

It is important for healthy bones, teeth and even scales
The important minerals that fish requires are calcium and phosphorus
They also require small amounts of iron, iodine, sodium, zinc, magnesium, copper, potassium
Calcium is found in hard water while phosphorus is found in live plants
If the tank's environment is soft water and artificial plants are used, fishes should be supplemented with food containing minerals in their diets
Bone or meat meal is a good source of both calcium and phosphorus
Minerals have a long shelf life, and can be found in adequate quantities in good flake foods

6. Vitamins

Unlike minerals, vitamins are not stable in prepared foods
Flake foods have adequate vitamin content initially, but it deteriorates rather quickly
Storing it in the freezer will prolong the vitamin content, but it is best to buy only what you will use within one or two months
Key vitamins which is required for good health are A, D3, E, K, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, H, M and inositol
Important vitamins for normal growth are B1, B2 and B6
An adequate amount of Vitamin B3 is required for good digestion
Vitamin C is also needed for healthy bones and teeth
Key factors in metabolism are both vitamin B5 and M
The reduction in the formation of blood cells due to lack of Vitamin H can cause anaemia
Deformities and stunted growth in young fish can be caused due to lack of Vitamin A
When fish are stressed, there is increased need for Vitamin A
Key factors are Vitamin E and A to maintain fish for top breeding condition
The essential vitamin for fish is Vitamin C, and most species tested are not capable of synthesising their own.

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