Ornamental Fish Feed in India
In 1950, Ganapati and Chacko classified the fish as surface feeders, column feeders, and bottom feeders. Fishes feed on a wide range of food materials and obtain their nourishment from plants as well as animals and can be divided into three groups based on the ecological zone they occupy for feeding.
This article will help you decode your fish’s type depending on the position they occupy in the water column and the recommended type of ornamental fish feed in India for your fish.
India's inland and coastal waters are home to a wide variety of ornamental fish, including about 400 species from marine habitats and over 195 indigenous species from the North-East and the Western Ghats.
Hence, the species of fish in India are numerous, each requiring a different diet to satisfy their nutritional needs. Hence Intan has come up with manufacturing a large variety of Ornamental Fish Feed in India
What is your fish type and the recommended type of ornamental fish feed in India for your fish:
Surface Feeders
Fish that dwell at the water's surface and primarily consume the food that is present there are known as surface feeders. When the food first enters the aquarium or just begins to sink, that is when the top feeders consume the food. For instance, catla feeding on zooplankton, and silver carp feeds on phytoplankton.
The majority of the fish learn to eat wherever it is offered, but shy fish may choose to wait until food floats into their "safe zone". These fish may require target feeding, which entails feeding them specifically.
Flakes and floating pellet meals are suitable for surface and mid-water feeders since they often hover at the surface for a minute or two before starting to drop to the bottom.
Column Feeders
Fish that reside in the middle layer of the water column or in the middle of the water column are known as mid-water or column feeders. Food is consumed by mid-water feeders as it moves through the water column.
For instance, Rohu feeds on plant matter including decaying vegetation. Soaking dried food or "swishing" them at the surface helps the feed drop a bit faster, making it easier to reach the mid-water feeders.
Slow-Sinking Pellets sink slowly to the bottom, giving enough time for the mid-level fish to feed on them. Hence, both these feed options are great for mid-level feeders.
Bottom Feeders
Fish that reside at the bottom and eat benthic organisms are known as bottom feeders.
For instance, Mrigal feeds on detritus and decaying vegetation, and Common carp on molluscs and chironomids in the bottom mud.
Bottom feeders do best on sinking tablets, wafers, and pellet foods. Fast-sinking pellets are pellets that are heavier and hence fall quickly to the bottom, which is helpful for the bottom-feeding fishes to feed on.
What is the best food for ornamental fishes?
Now that you know more about the type of feeder your fish is and the best type of ornamental fish feed in India suited for your fish, it is also important to keep the tank hygienic and make sure your fish does not overeat.
If uneaten food remains in the aquarium for more than five minutes and the fish seems uninterested in it, it is best to filter the food out to avoid any contamination to your aquarium.
At Intan, we are here to provide you with premium fish feed. 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. 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 you can find us at our nearest outspot.
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.