Over Feeding a Fish?

bu11itt · 10/12/2012, 03:45 PM

Just wondering if it is possible to over-feed a fish? Not asking about feeding too much for the tank from an excess nutrient standpoint, but if it is possible to feed a fish too much.

In other words; can the fish we keep over eat in our tanks?

Allmost · 10/12/2012, 03:52 PM

I think I know what you mean, and no, the fish would stop eating when they are full. they are not like cows to just continue eating and us having to remove food from its way or it will explode

Timfish · 10/12/2012, 08:19 PM

I'd say yes, definitely. I don't see a distinction between a fish eating until it's bloated and you or I doing the same. It is also easy to see when a fish is overweight. For most of the fish we keep the profile across the face, forehead onto the back should be a smooth curve. A fish that is overweight there is a pronounced bump that starts at the skull making it easy to discern the edge of the skull. For a fish that is underweight the back will appear pinched and there is a sharp line defining the edge of the skull.

Outrigger Reef · 10/12/2012, 08:25 PM

When I had fresh water tank, I had a red devil for a few years. My sister in law dumped a ton of food in the tank. By the time I got home the fish was dead.

I was very upset.

hollister · 10/12/2012, 08:29 PM

Over feeding is easy , they will over eat. And then they also produce more waste and more chance of uneatin food collecting. Its better to feed small amounts 2 or 3 times a day.

Tuton · 10/12/2012, 08:38 PM

Fish have a natural response to eat whenever food is present, even if it is stuffed to the brim.
It is a natural instinct that must be taken into acount when feeding fish.

10/12/2012, 03:45 PM	#1
bu11itt Registered Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Southwest, LA Posts: 122	Over Feeding a Fish? Just wondering if it is possible to over-feed a fish? Not asking about feeding too much for the tank from an excess nutrient standpoint, but if it is possible to feed a fish too much. In other words; can the fish we keep over eat in our tanks? __________________ - bu11itt

10/12/2012, 08:38 PM	#6
Tuton Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 348	Fish have a natural response to eat whenever food is present, even if it is stuffed to the brim. It is a natural instinct that must be taken into acount when feeding fish. __________________ "In this hobby nothing good happens fast" Tank Info: 55 Gallon Mixed Reef, 20 gallon sump

10/12/2012, 03:52 PM	#2
Allmost Moved On Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: canada, toronto Posts: 8,161	I think I know what you mean, and no, the fish would stop eating when they are full. they are not like cows to just continue eating and us having to remove food from its way or it will explode

10/12/2012, 08:19 PM	#3
Timfish Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,985	I'd say yes, definitely. I don't see a distinction between a fish eating until it's bloated and you or I doing the same. It is also easy to see when a fish is overweight. For most of the fish we keep the profile across the face, forehead onto the back should be a smooth curve. A fish that is overweight there is a pronounced bump that starts at the skull making it easy to discern the edge of the skull. For a fish that is underweight the back will appear pinched and there is a sharp line defining the edge of the skull.

10/12/2012, 08:25 PM	#4
Outrigger Reef Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Mentor, OH Posts: 196	When I had fresh water tank, I had a red devil for a few years. My sister in law dumped a ton of food in the tank. By the time I got home the fish was dead. I was very upset.

10/12/2012, 08:29 PM	#5
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,037	Over feeding is easy , they will over eat. And then they also produce more waste and more chance of uneatin food collecting. Its better to feed small amounts 2 or 3 times a day.