Basics on Fish Feeding: Stimuli, Habits, and Instincts

As fish are an extremely diverse group, their feeding habits are naturally just as diverse.

Different species are morphologically adapted for different modes of feeding.

Some species have specialized anatomical receptors for tasting and smelling their food. Not all fish have teeth, but if present, these are usually adapted for special functions. Some have mouth parts that are specially modified for unique feeding modes. For example, seahorses have tubular mouths which enable them to feed on zooplankton and other minute food particles.

Common aquarium fish have been selected for rearing partly because of their flexible feeding habits. On the other hand, some species are rarely kept in home aquariums because they require special dietary needs that are mostly found in their natural environment, and are not easily acquired.

Fish Feeding Stimuli

Fish usually locate food through various visual and chemical cues, and their feeding habits can be influenced by natural instincts as well as training.

The development of feeding stimuli is a complex process. It involves factors like security, hunger, the fishes’ state of health food colors, water quality, temperature and illumination.

Fish Feeding Habits

After a fish has located a potential meal, it may examine and taste the food before swallowing it.

Taste is an important factor for many species. It is especially significant for bottom feeders and those living in turbid water.

Fish that have adapted to feeding at the surface may not pursue food which has settled at the bottom. This is due to the buoyancy of the food they are used to eating. Bottom dwellers also may not surface to eat floating food. However, the majority of aquarium fish are less picky.

Many predatory fish can consume prey quickly and regurgitate the food upon finding it unsuitable for eating.

Predatory Fish Feeding Instincts

Predatory fish may use scent or touch to locate their prey. Their feeding instincts are also triggered by the peculiar characteristics of their prey, such as their colors and the electrical impulses they emit.

It is not easy to train predatory fish to eat non-living foods, though it will be easier to so with younger fish as they have yet to develop the habit of eating live food.

How to Train Predatory Fish to Eat Non-living Foods

• Start training newly introduced predatory fish that are currently eating only live foods by continuing to offer them their preferred foods until they are feeding normally, and then reducing the amount offered.
• Next, start feeding them freshly killed food on alternate days. To attract the attention of the fish and encourage them to feed, you may have to simulate the movements of live prey, by dropping the food into water currents at the surface, for instance.
• Later, you can replace the freshly killed food with soft meaty food. If the prepared food is refused, try coating it with the smell of their preferred live food.

Mermaid Highly Recommends: