Nearly all fish require 10 amino acids the building blocks of protein , and these can be supplied through protein sources like brine shrimp, bloodworms, silkworms, soybean meal, and naturally occurring insects and worms. Quick answer: Raspberries, shelled peas, carrots, watermelon, broccoli, cheerios, lettuce and citrus fruits. Fish also need carbohydrates to supply prompt energy, though not usually in great supply — koi and goldfish are prone to suffer from liver degeneration , often unbeknownst to the pond keeper, as a result of being fed too many carbohydrates.
Raspberries, wheat germ, shelled peas, watermelon, broccoli greens, citrus fruits, and cheerios in small amounts, as cereal grains are very starchy for fish will provide not only carbohydrates, but other necessary vitamins and fiber as well. Carrots and shelled peas either boiled lightly or ground up can also help enhance the color of your fish, as can spinach and spirulina a species of blue-green algae. Quick answer: Brine shrimp, bloodworms, silkworms, krill, fish oils, soy bean meal.
Lipids, or fats, are the main fuel source for energy metabolism in fish muscles, providing as much as twice the amount of energy as protein or carbohydrates, and contain vital fatty acids. Fish with lipid-deficient diets have been found to experience stunted growth, deformities, and other issues. Linseed oil is one of the best types of oil for fish, as it provides an adequate amount of both linolenic and linoleic acids, the two essential fatty acids needed by many common pond species particularly koi.
Aquatic oils derived from salmon, krill, shrimp etc. Be aware that organisms terrestrial and aquatic alike! This disease has also been found to present itself in fish, turtles, birds, and even domestic dogs and cats for the same reasons. With this in mind, moderate the fat intake of your pond fish and supplement with a bit of vitamin E to ensure proper cellular metabolism of fats and any toxins that may be present in the environment. Healthy fats, including linoleic acids and vitamin E, can be found in high quality pellet feeds , or in supplemental foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, silkworms, krill , or soy bean meal.
Most fish require only small amounts of vitamins and minerals, which can be obtained easily via the food sources already listed fruits, veggies, carbohydrates, and so on , as well as directly from the water itself via osmotic diffusion. To be certain that your fish are meeting all of their dietary needs, it is best to use a high quality pellet feed , though you can provide supplemental feedings now and again of the things listed above, in moderation. Pellet feeds often contain high protein content as well as all of the essential vitamins and minerals that your fish need, so this makes it easy and straightforward to keep track of the exact nutrient types and amounts that your fish are getting.
Utilizing pellet feeds helps ensure that your fish will have a well-rounded diet, and in turn will promote healthy growth, decrease the likelihood of disease, and aid in building a strong immune system.
Some even have added enhancers to improve color, though it has been argued by some that fish color is more so tied to water quality and genetics than diet. Regardless, do your research on pellet feeds to make sure that you choose one s that meets your specific fish requirements.
Also, you may wish to opt for floating pellets as these will help you to monitor how much your fish are eating, and can be easily removed if the pellets are not entirely consumed.
If you have koi, you can also check out our guide to nutrient balanced koi food recipes here! When temperatures fall below 39 o F, stop feeding fish entirely. In the spring, when water temperatures are consistently above 39 o F, resume feeding wheatgerm-based foods. When temperatures are above 50 o F, you may feed your fish any of the TetraPond food diets. Use the TetraPond feeding thermometer to help guide you with food selection. Good quality wheat germ products are formed from easily digestible plant ingredients, enhancing digestion and reducing the time it takes for the nutrients to be absorbed.
Why you should not feed when temperatures are below 39 o F? Fish should only be fed when they are active and looking for food. No food should be offered if the fish are motionless near the bottom of your pond. When water temperatures are below 39 o F, they will not be actively seeking food.
Feeding fish below 39 o F can lead to metabolic disorders. What should I do with my fish in the winter? In most parts of the U. Unless you live in an area where your pond will be exposed to extreme cold, 18 inches depth is sufficient. In extremely cold areas, be sure your pond has areas 24 inches or more of depth.
Koi, Shubunkins and most goldfish survive winter by remaining inactive. Do not feed your fish when water temperatures are below 39 o F. See Fish Care questions about changing the diet during colder months. Use a pond de-icer to keep an area of the pond ice-free to allow for toxic gases to escape the pond.
Some fish, such as fancy goldfish, should be brought indoors during the winter. Check with your local fish dealer for advice on your specific fish. How much and how often should I feed my fish? Fish should be fed one to three times a day during the feeding months, when water temperatures are 39 o F and above.
Rule of thumb: Feed only the amount your fish can consume within five minutes. How can I keep my fish healthy? Maintaining fish in good condition should be the aim of every pond keeper. Pond fish are sensitive to a variety of factors, such as water quality and nutrition, that can weaken immune systems and make them susceptible to disease.
Water quality: Particularly important to water quality, and consequently fish health, are raised pollutant levels i. Ammonia and nitrate levels: Excessive ammonia can have adverse effects on the fish. In most cases, fish will show severe signs of irritation and occasionally reddening on the skin and fins. Raised nitrite levels can be directly toxic to the fish. It leads to irritation of the gill and skin membranes and a reduced ability of blood to transport oxygen. At lower concentrations, fish immunity will be weakened, allowing parasite numbers to increase.
At lower levels, fish are weakened and prone to disease, poor coloration and poor growth. These parasites are a natural part of the environment of the fish. How can I maintain a good pH balance? In a pond containing dense algae or plant growth, pH changes considerably in a hour period. Plants and algae consume the bicarbonates that buffer the pH. At nighttime they respire, producing carbon dioxide which causes the pH to drop.
During the day, they photosynthesize use carbon dioxide and water to produce carbohydrates and oxygen , using up any carbon dioxide and allowing the water to return to its natural pH. Therefore the pH at dawn is likely to be considerably lower than at dusk. Fish will eat more in the summer. Very high temperatures are stressful to fish, and pool oxygen levels will be lower.
When and how much to feed. In nature, wild carp tend to eat in the morning and evening, with a lull during the afternoon. Ornamental pondfish will eat at almost any time during the day, and will be on the lookout for food if you feed at a regular time.
It is probably best to feed during the day, when you can see how much the fish are eating, and avoid feeding late in the evening. When feeding as a supplement to natural foods in the pond, two or three times a week will be ample. In ponds with more fish and fewer plants, daily feeding is in order in the summer, or smaller amounts twice a day.
Only feed what can be taken by the fish in a couple of minutes. Commercial fish foods are concentrated, and if too much is eaten it will pass through the fish only partly digested and then pollute the water. If excess food goes uneaten, net it out to avoid pollution and feed less the next time. It is very rare to find ponds where fish have problems due to shortage of food, but more common to find fish in distress because the pool has been polluted with excess food.
Excess food will also make algae problems worse. If fish unexpectedly go off their food, it might be because they have been scared e. Other reasons include water quality problems, and fish disease. If they continue to avoid food, it is worth testing the water quality, and examining the fish more closely to see if anything is visibly wrong. What to feed. There are many good quality pond fish foods now available. Floating foods are generally the most appropriate.
Pelleted foods tend to be more dense than stick foods, and less volume needs to be fed. Pick a pellet size appropriate to the size of fish in the pond, erring towards the smaller size if in doubt.
0コメント