Hungry fish are happy fish ?

[bhopwood]

A friend and I at work were talking about feeding the tank and came up with two different opinions. I think hungry fish are happy fish and by keeping them a little hungry the waste load is kept in check. On the other side of the break table fat fish are happy fish and larger filters are needed. He uses mech. Filters and I use only use what came from the ocean. Any other opinions on this.

[Jasontkd]

I would not suggest keeping your fish hungry. I also wouldn't say a fat fish is a happy fish. you can keep your fish well fed without overfeeding. and, with the correct amount of LR and maintanence, you shouldn't have a bioload problem.

[Dani]

My fish nip at each other when they are too hungry. My damsel had a bite taken out of her tail.

[wharyat]

I just feed every two days regardless of how hungry they look.

[Junkzoo]

Kinda depends on the fish IMO.
Fish like tangs and angels graze all day in the ocean, so these kinds of fish need food more times during the day, even in small quantities,,they have a short,fast digestive tract, food in/waste out time is fairly quick.
Predatory fish, eels, lions, groupers etc. do not eat every day in the wild, i have learned. they are set up to wait until the opportunity arises to snag a meal.and when they do eat they eat a pretty large meal.
I've seen it in my tanks here, i can feed my Queen Angel every day, many times, and it's always ready for food.My eel and lion will eat ,when hungry, almost as much as they can ingest, only to be uninterested in food if offered to soon over the next few days after a feeding.I could ration their food to give them enuf to be hungry every day, but it seems they rather have it the other way,,eat a lot, and chill for a few,,,,
Kinda works like land animals, the veggie eaters,deer,horses,bovine,most non carnivore birds etc, eat fairly constantly,,,
The carnivores ,lions, and others in the big cat family,snakes,etc, eat a large meal and "chill" while digesting,,,
Hope this helped in way,,,,,

[VWD]

I feed every two or three days, the tangs always swim and pick at the rock and glass all day, Thay don't have to eat everyday to be healty fish, over fed fish are no better off and your tank will pay for it.

[Loverotties]

Yes I feed mine every other day!

[salt creepette]

i feed mine every day (skip a day every once in a while) usually only once a day though. some species are supposed to be fed more often. I avoid buying those and also the ones who need specialized foods. I am simply too lazy; flake and occasional frozen is what mine get! (I do put nori in for the tang daily)

[pnkpanther]

I feed once a day. occasionally i'll leave some veggies in there for them to graze on, but not often.


My fish seem very happy. But then again, i seem to have gluttons, i think could feed them until they died and they wouldnt quit.