Saltwater aquarists utilize a wide variety of foods to provide the proper nutrition for the personal mix of fishes and invertebrates they have in their tanks. While some aquarists find that basic flake or pellet foods are adequate, others prefer to mix various foods to give their livestock a more fully balanced vitamin enriched diet. The following food sources are not only good choices for feeding tank inhabitants, but are ideal ingredients for mixing into do-it-yourself food recipes as well.
1. Brine Shrimp
PriceGrabber
Available in freeze dried flakes, time release blocks and cubes and in the egg form, which you can hatch yourself for fresh, live food. Brine shrimp are a natural marine food which provides a healthy dose of protein for almost any critter's diet.
2. Krill
PriceGrabber
Krill is a small marine crustacean, usually found in concentrations in cold arctic waters. This high protein food is considered to be "rich" and should be fed sparingly to tank critters. Available in freeze dried flakes and pellets, this food is used as a supplement to well balanced diet. Krill is rich in astaxanthin which promotes the development of fish's natural pink to orange-red colors.
3. Marine Flakes
PriceGrabber
Most "Marine Flake" foods are considered by their manufacturers to be a complete balanced diet for marine fish, containing all of the necessary proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins & minerals. Many saltwater aquarists use a basic "Marine Flake" as a primary food that they can supplement with other foods for their additional nutrients.
4. Marine Pellets
PriceGrabber
Most "Marine Pellet" foods are considered by their manufacturers to be a complete balanced diet for marine fish, containing all of the necessary proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins & minerals. Many saltwater aquarists use a basic "Marine Pellets" as a primary food that they can supplement with other foods for their additional nutrients.
5. Phytoplankton
PriveGrabber
Most phytoplanktons are sold as a blend of foods which contain essential amino and fatty acids, fiber and high levels of cartenoids. Most phytoplankton produced for the aquarium trade are aqua-cultured and naturally occurring and are of the 5 to 25 micron size, providing a broad range for filter-feeding marine invertebrates. They are also used to supplement and fortify live foods.
6. Plankton
PriceGrabber
Used as a food supplement, freeze-dried plankton is rich in proteins and lipids as well as beta carotene which helps to bring out the vibrant colors of marine animals. Ideal as a treat or supplement for all medium to large marine fish and invertebrates.
7. Seaweed
PriceGrabber
Seaweed is an all natural food for your herbivorous fish to add to a balanced and varied diet. Allows fish to "graze" as they do in the wild within their new habitats. Available as "Nori" in the oriental food section of many stores, seaweed is a popular natural food for most tangs.
