What Do I Feed My Tropical Catfish
As a proud catfish owner, I need to take care of their dietary needs, and my goal here is to help you understand what foods your catfish would love for them to stay healthy and live a happy, long life.
There are many fish foods out there, but there isn't a standard formula for fish foods. This makes things a bit tricky because you'll have to check the ingredients.
I understand that this can be a bit confusing, especially if you don't have much experience with fish foods. For that very same reason, I've compiled a list that'll make it easier for you to choose the best food for catfish, but let's discuss a few points first just to make sure that we're on the same page here.
TLDR – Top Picks For Best Fish Food For Catfish
Our top pick for carnivores catfish is the Northfin Mass Carnivore Formula. Morning Wood and Super Green from Repashy are great for strict herbivores.
If your catfish are omnivores, New Life Spectrum Algaemax plus something like the Omega One Veggie Rounds would be a great mix.
Last update on 2022-10-11 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How To Pick Quality Catfish Food
There are over 3000 species of catfish, and each species have different dietary habits depending on the home range.
Some of these species include the Mekong giant catfish that live in Southeast Asia's waters, the piraíba that primarily inhabit the waters near South America, and the wels catfish from Eurasia. However, it's worth noting that all catfish species are scavengers and bottom feeders, so that's something to take note of.
Catfish range from herbivorous to carnivorous species. There are also detritivores that feed on dead fish on the bottom. Some even eat submerged wood regularly. Additionally, there's a parasitic species, commonly known as the candiru.
Research Is Key
There are many catfish species, and each species may have different nutrition requirements. Your best bet is to look up individual species to familiarize yourself with their specific eating requirements.
Always Check the Ingredients
Before buying food for your catfish, make sure to take a look at the ingredients first. Even famous food brands like Tetra actually contain lots of fillers. Fillers don't benefit your catfish in any possible way, thus, adding zero nutritional value while also increasing waste production.
Low-Quality Ingredients to Avoid
- Fish meal – It's made of the remains of dead fish, like scales and eyes.
- Filler grains – They're bad for your catfish because they cause them to produce more waste.
- Soy – Similar to filler grains, soy is hard to digest, which means more waste.
High-Quality Ingredients You Want
- Whole fish – It's loaded with protein.
- Spirulina – An excellent color booster for your catfish.
- Black soldier fly larvae – They have no exoskeleton, making them easy to digest. They also contain lots of protein.
- Worms – Just like larvae, worms are super easy to digest and are full of protein.
A Varied Diet Is Best For Catfish
Fish need a variety of foods to ensure they get all of the nutrients they need. Even carnivores need veggie foods like algae and spirulina, and herbivores need proteins from animal sources.
It's good to have commercially prepared foods as the staple diet as a general rule of thumb, and mix in some frozen foods and veggies, like frozen peas.
7 Best Foods for Catfish Reviewed
1. New Life Spectrum AlgaeMax Mini-Wafers
- Diet: Herbivore – good for species like clown plecos, bristlenose
- Type: Sinking wafer
The New Life Spectrum AlgaeMax Mini Wafers contain all the nutrients your catfish need to grow and stay healthy. The formula also contains squid and bentonite clay. Not to mention, it's free of artificial preservatives to prevent your catfish from getting sick.
Ingredients:
Algae: Chlorella Seaweed, Ulva Seaweed, Red Seaweed, Kelp, Spirulina, Wakame Seaweed. Whole Antarctic Krill**, Giant Squid*, Whole Wheat Flour, Eucheuma cottonii Seaweed, Spinosum Seaweed, Chondrus crispus Seaweed, Whole Menhaden Fish*, Omega-3 Fish Oil*, Garlic, Ginger, Astaxanthin, Marigold, Capsanthin, Zeaxanthin, Bentonite Clay, Sea Salt
New Life Spectrum AlgaeMax Mini-Wafers 300g (Naturox Series)
Last update on 2022-10-11 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
2. Repashy Morning Wood
- Diet: Wood eater – good for species like clown and royal plecos
- Type: Gel powder
The Repashy Morning Wood is the perfect choice for wood-eating catfish. It contains a variety of ingredients that'll fulfill your catfish's nutritional needs, including protein, Omega 3 fatty acids, and fibers. Preparing it is relatively time-consuming, though, since you'll need to boil water and stir in the powder.
Ingredients:
Cellulose Powder, Dried Seaweed Meal, Alfalfa Leaf Meal, Spirulina Algae, Rice Protein Concentrate, Pea Protein Isolate, Stabilized Rice Bran, Dried Brewer's Yeast, Dried Kelp, Locust Bean Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Citrate, Malic Acid, Taurine, RoseHips, Hibiscus Flower, Calendula Flower, Marigold Flower, Paprika, Turmeric, Salt, Calcium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate (as preservatives), Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Selenium Yeast. Vitamins: (Vitamin A powder, Vitamin D powder, Choline Chloride, Calcium L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate, Vitamin E powder, Niacin, Beta Carotene, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B-12 powder, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex).
Repashy Morning Wood 12 oz. (340g) 3/4 lb JAR
Last update on 2022-10-11 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
3. Omega One Veggie Rounds
- Diet: Omnivore/carnivore – good for species like corydoras and pictus catfish
- Type: Sinking wafer
The Omega One Veggie Rounds are loaded with Omega 3 & 6 HUFA's that'll give your catfish's immunity system a boost.
What's more, they contain spirulina, a cyanobacterium that helps your catfish eliminate internal bacteria and pathogens. Plus, they're insoluble, ensuring that your fish tank remains clean and free of harmful pollutants.
Ingredients:
Salmon, Whole Herring, Wheat Germ, Wheat Flour, Rice Bran, Kelp, Whole Shrimp, Pea Protein, Wheat Gluten, Spirulina, Herring Oil, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols, Niacin, Inositol, Astaxanthin, Canthaxanthin, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement
Omega One Veggie Rounds, 14mm Rounds, Sinking, 4 oz Container
Last update on 2022-10-11 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
4. Omega One Sinking Shrimp Pellets
- Diet: Carnivore – good for species like corydoras or synodontis
- Type: Sinking pellet
There's no better way to give your catfish the protein they need than feeding them the Omega One Sinking Shrimp Pellets. And it's not just about the protein; they also contain many vitamins.
It's worth mentioning that the pellets are insoluble, ensuring that your fish tank stays clean. Oh, and they have very little starch content, resulting in less waste production.
Ingredients:
Salmon, Whole Herring, Wheat Germ, Whole Shrimp, Wheat Flour, Pea Protein, Wheat Gluten, Herring Oil, Kelp, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E Supplement, Mixed Tocopherols, Niacin, Inositol, Astaxanthin, Canthaxanthin, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement
Omega One Sinking Shrimp Pellets, 8mm Pellets, 8.25 oz
Last update on 2022-10-11 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
5. Omega One Super Color Veggie Kelp 2mm Sinking Pellets
- Diet: Herbivore/omnivore – good for species like otocinclus
- Type: Sinking pellet
The Veggie Kelp Pellets are made of 100% freshwater Alaskan kelp. They're made of several tasty and healthy ingredients that your catfish would definitely want to eat more of, including herring, wild salmon, and shrimp.
And did I mention that they're insoluble? Indeed, these pellets won't affect the cleanliness of your fish tank's water whatsoever.
Ingredients:
Whole Kelp, Spirulina, Whole Salmon, Halibut, Whole Shrimp Wheat Flour, Wheat Gluten, Fresh Kelp, Lecithin, Astaxanthin, Zeaxanthin, L-Ascorbyl-2-Phosphate (Source of Vitamin C), Natural and Artificial Colors, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Choline Chloride, Folic Acid, Biotin, Inositol, Tocopherol (Preservative), Ethoxyquin (Preservative)
Omega One Super Color Veggie 2mm Sinking Pellets with Kelp, 8 oz Container
Last update on 2022-10-11 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
6. Northfin Mass Carnivore Formula
- Diet: Carnivore – good for larger species of catfish
- Type: Large sinking pellets
The Northfin Mass Carnivore Formula is free of fillers, artificial pigments, and hormones, ensuring that your catfish get all the nutrients they need. It contains proteins, vitamins, amino acids, and minerals, all of which are important for your catfish's health.
Additionally, it has natural color enhancement properties that will add an extra glow to the skin of your catfish. On top of that, the pellets are easy to digest, allowing your catfish to absorb the nutrients more efficiently.
Ingredients:
High Omega-3 (DHA) Herring Meal, Whole Sardine Meal, Whole Antarctic Krill Meal, Wheat Flour, Kelp, Spirulina, Garlic, Astaxanthin (Haematococcus Algae), Calcium Montmorillonite Clay, Vitamin A Acetate, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Source of Vitamin C), D-Activated Animal-Sterol (D3), DL Alpha Tocopherol (E), Vitamin B12
Northfin Mass Carnivore Formula - 10 Mm Sinking Pellets - 1 Kg
Last update on 2022-10-11 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
7. Repashy Super Green
- Diet: Herbivore – good for species like sailfin or common plecos
- Type: Gel powder
The Repashy Super Green catfish food is completely vegan while also supplying your algae-eating catfish with the essential nutrients they need to flourish, including proteins, healthy fats, and fibers. They're probably the best choice for your herbivore catfish.
Ingredients:
Spirulina Algae, Algae Meal (Chlorella), Pea Protein Isolate, Rice Protein Concentrate, Alfalfa Leaf Powder, Stabilized Rice Bran, Dandelion Powder, Dried Brewer's Yeast, Ground Flaxseed, Schizochytrium Algae (Source of DHA), Dried Seaweed Meal, Dried Kelp, Locust Bean Gum, Guar Gum, Lecithin, Potassium Citrate, Taurine, RoseHips, Hibiscus Flower, Calendula Flower, Marigold Flower, Paprika, Turmeric, Calcium Propionate, and Potassium Sorbate (as preservatives), Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Selenium Yeast. Vitamins: (Vitamin A powder, Vitamin D powder, Choline Chloride, Calcium L-Ascorbyl-2- Monophosphate, Vitamin E powder, Niacin, Beta Carotene, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B-12 powder, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex)
Repashy SuperGreen 6 Oz JAR
Last update on 2022-10-11 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Which Food Food To Pick For Your Catfish?
Catfish are a large and diverse group, and choosing the best food primarily depends on the species. What works for a tiny panda cory probably won't work great for a huge royal pleco.
Our top pick for carnivores is the Northfin Mass Carnivore Formula. On the other hand, Morning Wood and Super Green from Repashy are great for strict herbivores.
Also, if your catfish are omnivores, then New Life Spectrum Algaemax plus something like the Omega One Veggie Rounds would be a great mix of things for feeding them.
On a side note, don't forget that catfish require a large set of nutrients that they can only get from multiple food sources. I definitely recommend that you get two or three appropriate foods and rotate them around for a varied diet.
Last update on 2022-10-11 / Commissions Earned / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Source: https://modestfish.com/best-food-for-catfish/
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