Saltwater aquarists utilize a wide variety of fish 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 fish foods are adequate, others prefer to mix various foods to give their fish a more fully balanced vitamin enriched diet. The following food sources are not only good choices for feeding captive fish, but are ideal ingredients for mixing into do-it-yourself food recipes as well.
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 fish food. Brine shrimp are a natural marine fish food which provides a healthy dose of protein for almost any critter's diet.
Krill
PriceGrabber
Krill are small marine crustaceans, usually found in concentrations in cold arctic waters. This high protein fish food is considered to be "rich" and should be fed sparingly to fish. Available in freeze dried flakes and pellets, this fish 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.
Marine Flakes
PriceGrabber
Most "Marine Flake" fish 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 fish food that they can supplement with other foods for their additional nutrients.
Marine Pellets
PriceGrabber
Most "Marine Pellet" fish 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 fish food that they can supplement with other foods for their additional nutrients.
Mysis Shrimp
PriceGrabber
High in protein and amino acids, Mysis Shrimp are an excellent food for fish and invertebrates alike. Mysis Shrimp are the preferred food for Seahorses in aquariums. Available in frozen cubes and freeze-dried flakes. Frozen Mysis contains between 4.7% and 10.5% protein, depending upon the manufacturer and the size of the shrimp. Mysis Shrimp fish food flakes contain about 46.0% protein.
Phytoplankton
PriveGrabber
Most phytoplanktons are sold as a blend of fish 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.
Plankton
PriceGrabber
Used as a fish 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.
Seaweed
PriceGrabber
Seaweed is an all natural fish 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 fish food for most tangs.
