A Guide To Feeding Your Rainbowfish

Feeding Rainbowfish a balanced, varied diet is essential for their vibrant colour, health, and energy. As omnivores, they thrive on high-quality flakes, pellets, and slowly sinking wafers like Intan Bits and Intan Ornamental Fish Wafers, which offer protein-rich, nutrient-dense formulas with colour enhancers like Astaxanthin. Feed adult Rainbowfish 1–2 times a day, and fry more frequently with breeder feeds like Intan B1–B4. Avoid overfeeding, rotate their diet, and monitor behaviour to ensure every fish in the school eats well. With proper nutrition, Rainbowfish stay active, colourful, and easy to care for in any aquarium.

Feeding Rainbowfish the right way is key to keeping them healthy, vibrant, and full of life. Known for their shimmering colours and peaceful nature, these freshwater beauties are a favourite in many aquariums. But what exactly should you feed them, and how often? Let’s dive into the essentials.

What Makes Rainbowfish Unique?

Rainbowfish are small to medium-sized schooling fish native to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. Their vibrant hues only get brighter with proper care and a big part of that is a good diet. Feeding Rainbowfish the right nutrients can dramatically improve their colouration, growth, and overall vitality.

So, What Do Rainbowfish Eat?

Rainbowfish are omnivores. That means they thrive on a mix of both protein and plant-based foods.

Here’s what we recommend when feeding Rainbowfish:

High-Quality Flake or Pellet Food: Choose a specially formulated tropical fish flake or micro pellet. Look for products that list fish meal or shrimp as the first ingredient.

Intan Bits is a slow-sinking, crushable crumble fish food with 43% protein. Made with sustainably sourced Antarctic krill, shrimp and fish meal, it enhances flavour, palatability, and natural colour through Astaxanthin. Its unique blend of crumbled and granulated feed suits all life stages ensuring healthy growth, strong immunity, and high water stability. Perfect for vibrant, thriving ornamental fish.

Intan Ornamental Fish Wafers are small, slowly sinking wafers with 39% protein. Formulated with Antarctic krill, select vegetables, algae, and minerals, this diet supports healthy growth, immunity, and colour enhancement. Enriched with thymol for digestion and Astaxanthin for vibrant hues, it’s a complete, balanced feed for a thriving community tank.

How Often Should You Feed Rainbowfish?

Overfeeding is one of the biggest mistakes aquarists make. Here’s a simple rule to follow:

• Feed them 1–2 times a day
• Only offer food they can consume within 2 minutes
• Remove any uneaten food to keep the water clean
  

Consistency matters when feeding Rainbowfish. They’ll quickly learn your schedule and become more active and engaged at feeding times.

Age and Size Matters

Just like with people, dietary needs can vary based on age and size. Young rainbowfish (fry) need more frequent feeding up to 3 small meals a day. 

Feed the Rainbowfish fry Intan Breeder & Grower Feeds. Starting with B1 to transitioning to B2, B3 and finally B4, These feeds are meant to nourish the fish babies till juvenile or semi-adult stages, perfect for their early stage development. They include high-quality ingredients like Fish Meal, Shrimp Meal & Antarctic Krill. This formulation ensures healthy growth & promotes proper feeding habits from the very start.

Adult fish, on the other hand, do well on a steady twice-a-day schedule. Keep an eye on their bellies; a slight roundness is fine, but bloating is not.

Feeding Tips 

Here are a few tried-and-tested feeding tips:

• Rotate foods: A varied diet = balanced nutrition
• Use feeding rings: Keeps the food in one area and reduces mess
• Observe closely: Watch who’s eating and who’s being shy

Remember, feeding Rainbowfish is more than just tossing food in the tank, it’s an opportunity to bond, observe behaviour, and spot any early signs of illness.

Seasonal Adjustments

During spawning or colder months, their metabolism may change slightly. In warmer months, they’re more active and may need a touch more protein. In winter, reduce feeding a bit, especially if your tank is in a cooler spot.

Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

Overfeeding: Causes water quality issues and fish stress
Feeding only one type of food: Leads to nutritional deficiencies
Ignoring shy eaters: Some rainbowfish might get pushed aside; ensure everyone’s getting a share

Feeding Rainbowfish properly means thinking of the whole school—not just the boldest swimmers at the surface.

Are Rainbowfish easy to care for?

Rainbowfish are stunning, sociable, and full of personality. When fed correctly, they’ll reward you with vibrant colours and graceful, energetic movement across your tank. Feeding Rainbowfish might seem simple, but it’s a daily ritual that can truly enhance their health and your aquarium experience.

So grab the flakes, and enjoy those peaceful feeding moments. Your rainbowfish are counting on you!

At Intan, we are here to provide you with premium fish feed. Our feed is tailored to meet the specific needs of each species. Every feed can spark positive change and create a future promoting quality, resilience, and well-being. We aim to serve the needs of hobbyists and breeders for the best quality of each species’ unique requirements. To know more about us, check out our Instagram page or contact us.

We are not just a brand; we are stewards of the underwater world. We believe in the well-being of our friends and their mental health. Understanding and addressing the stressors that affect fish is not just a concept for us, it's a commitment. Through our dedication to research and innovative products, we aim to ensure that fish everywhere can lead happier, healthier lives.