Fish Food in India - All You Need to Know
Al- Hussaini has categorized fish based on their food preferences and gut content into four groups. The four fundamental food categories under which the fish fall are: carnivores, herbivores, omnivores, and plankton feeders. Each type demands a different diet hence it is necessary to feed each species of fish in a distinctive way with different types of fish food in India. Whether you are a hobbyist or a breeder, this article is to help guide you decide which fish food in India is recommended for your fish based on the category your fish falls under.
The Four Categories and the Recommended Fish Food in India for each:
Carnivores:
Fish that are meat-eaters fall under this category. They typically require live meals. Their enormous mouth and pointed, sharp teeth enable them to tear off big portions of flesh from their prey, which is then consumed whole without being crushed or chewed first. Carnivores have a relatively large stomach that can hold an entire fish and a short digestive tract. Hence, even though they may consume plants, they cannot obtain the same nutrients from them as other fish since their digestive tract is unable to digest vegetable matter. If you are considering keeping a carnivore fish in a community tank, it is important to remember that they are likely to hunt down and devour other fish there due to their feeding style. Some examples of carnivore fish are Arowana and Leopard catfish.
Herbivores:
The herbivore is at the other end of the dietary food chain from carnivores. Although it is occasionally possible to observe herbivores consuming live food, a herbivore's ideal diet consists of plants, algae, and fruits. They lack a normal stomach but instead have a specially designed gut that can digest plant matter. Because they have flat teeth, they may ground food before digesting it. The herbivore must consume enormous amounts of food regularly, at least multiple times each day, since they lack a stomach to store the food they eat. If you are considering keeping a herbivore fish in a community tank, then it is important to remember that they require a much greater frequency of feedings of fruits and vegetables than the other fishes do. Some examples of herbivore fish are pleco and mary fish.
Omnivores:
An omnivore consumes a wide range of animal and vegetable food. Even though omnivores may and will consume plant matter, some grains and plants are indigestible to them. Their teeth and digestive system share some characteristics of both carnivores and herbivores. Fish that are omnivores are the simplest to feed because they will consume both live and flake feeds, as well as everything in between. Omnivores are an excellent option for a communal tank because of this. Some examples of omnivore fish are tiger fish and goldfish.
Plankton Feeders:
Plankton feeders are a distinct group of fishes that only consume plankton. They create an effective filter feeding mechanism for this. These fishes may be herbivorous (feed on phytoplankton), omnivorous (feed on phyto and zoo planktons), or carnivorous (feed on zooplankton only). Some examples of plankton-feeding fish are Catla caatla and Hilsa hilsa.
Since each category of fish has a different physical teeth structure and digestive system, it is incredibly important to know which category your fish falls under and what kind of fish food in India is digestible for your fish. Keeping this in mind will lead to healthy growth in your fish, a longer life span, better colour, and energy in your fish.
India is the world's second-largest producer of fish for aquaculture and the third-largest fish producer overall. About 7% of the world's fish are produced in India. Additionally, the nation is one of the 17 mega-biodiversity-rich countries and is home to more than 10% of the world's fish biodiversity. Hence, the species of fish in India are numerous, each requiring a different diet to satisfy their nutritional needs. There are numerous types of fish food in India, but the ones containing the right amount of nutrients will help your fish live a longer and a healthier life.
At Intan, we are here to provide you with premium ornamental fish food in India. Our feed is tailored to meet the specific needs of each species. We truly believe every feed can spark positive change and create a future promoting quality, resilience, and well-being. To know more about us, check out our Instagram page.