Summertime Fish Feeding Tips

Among the many joys of owning a pond is the delight of seeing your fish swim to the surface at mealtime. Feeding pond fish is a family-friendly activity, but there are a few things to keep in mind when the weather gets warmer.

Opt for top-quality fish food

Not all fish food is created equal. Research has shown that fish proteins are the most efficiently digested and assimilated by fish. Considering that fish eat other fish in oceans and lakes, this makes perfect sense.

When selecting fish food, check the label for protein sources such as blood meal, fish meal, squid meal, shrimp meal, herring meal, or other aquaculture protein as the primary ingredients. Aquascape Premium Fish Foods feature high-quality fish protein as a leading ingredient.

Follow the 5-minute guideline

Don't feed fish more than they can consume in about 5 minutes. Larger fish might need more food, but generally, they'll eat what they need in that time frame. Overfeeding leads to uneaten food floating into your skimmer, decomposing and potentially upsetting your pond's ecosystem.

Fish can fend for themselves

If you're heading on vacation, don't fret about your fish going hungry. They can sustain themselves by eating algae and beneficial bacteria from the rocks and gravel in your pond. Algae is nutritious, much like spirulina, which has health benefits.

Store fish food correctly

Avoid buying more fish food than you need for one season unless you plan to store large bags in the refrigerator. Freezing damages the fats in the food, compromising fat-soluble vitamins. If your fish food develops an off smell, fuzz, colour change, sticking together, or crumbling, discard it. Poor-quality food can cause problems for your fish, including the growth of aflatoxins, which can be harmful.

Treat your pond fish to summer snacks

While not necessary, it can be enjoyable to treat your fish to a summer snack occasionally. Koi, in particular, enjoy watermelon, orange slices and even peas. Just be mindful of the quantity, especially with peas, as they sink and can accumulate at the pond bottom.

Set a feeding routine

Establishing a regular feeding schedule enhances success. Fish become accustomed to seeing you at the same time each day, and you may even train them to eat from your hand.