Is It Okay to Give Your Aquarium Fish Vegetables?

Not all aquatic species have the same metabolism or nutritional needs. Just like the rest of families and genus in the Animal Kingdom, some fish are herbivorous while others are carnivorous. Most tropical fish are omnivorous, which means they’ll eat just about anything. This makes them particularly resilient and easier to keep in freshwater or reef tank aquariums. Though you can get the nutritious fish food you need from a trusted aquarium supplier like Aquatic Warehouse, popular aquarium species also enjoy eating vegetables from time to time. Some like veggies more than others, and in many cases they’ll benefit from the rich mineral and fibrous contents of produce grown on land.

Herbivorous Fish

Bottom dwellers such as Plecostomus are scavenger species that mostly feed on the plant-based detritus of fish food flakes. Plecos are also helpful because they love feeding on algae and nibbling on aquatic plants, but some are pickier than others when it comes to their nutrition. Bristlenose plecos may get bored of only eating algae, so they’re excellent candidates for vegetable meals. To this effect, finely chopped lettuce, kale, and seaweed that can fall to the bottom is highly recommended.

Carnivorous Fish

In the wild, discus are voracious predators, but they adapt easily to aquarium tanks by dialing down their aggression. Discus won’t kill aquarium mates unless they happen to be very hungry and their prey is very tiny. Fish food flakes with larvae, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, bloodworms, and insects are all discus need to survive, but occasional feedings of vegetables can intensify the coloring of their scales. Since discus grind their food, they’ll enjoy munching on frozen peas that thaw in the tank water before reaching the bottom.

Omnivorous Fish

The most resilient and friendly species such as goldfish, guppies, tetras, danios, mollies, and rainbow sharks will eat anything. The main ingredients of fish food flakes are often plant-based, which means aquarists can feel free to put their fish on vegetarian diets from time to time. Try to keep spinach away from aquariums because this vegetable tends to have higher levels of oxidants that may interfere with water chemistry. Something else to keep in mind is that starchy vegetables such as potatoes may not sit well with the digestive functions of some species, so stay away from these.

Preparing Vegetables for Your Aquarium

Focus on vegetables that are rich in minerals and fiber. Pumpkin is the best vegetable for either freshwater or saltwater fish. Make sure it’s as ripe as it can be before chopping it up into tiny slices. Never feed peppers to aquarium fish even if you’re positive they’re the mildest and sweeter bell pepper species. Green veggies such as broccoli need to be boiled until they’re soft enough to chew. They also need to be chopped into very small pieces. Fresh cucumbers are highly recommended as long as they’re finely chopped. Also, watermelon works great for feeding koi a fun treat.

Having nutritious food on-hand is just one of the important considerations when caring for an aquarium. You also need several supplies to properly maintain the tank. Whether you need an aquarium temperature controller, LED lighting, a protein skimmer, filters, or any other aquarium supply, you can rely on Aquatic Warehouse to provide the highest-quality options. Check out what we have to offer on our website, stop by our store in Kearny Mesa, or give us a call with any questions you might have at 858-467-9297.