If you have an angelfish or are thinking of getting one, and you’re wondering about their diet, you’ve come to the right place.
How much should you feed these beautiful creatures? How can you tell if they’re not getting enough? How frequently should they eat? Is there a risk of giving them too much?
I’ve got answers to all these questions and more. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
How Much to Feed Angelfish
Your angelfish’s appetite is mainly influenced by the type of food you provide. Here’s what you should know:
| Food Type | Feeding Amount |
| Brine Shrimp | Juveniles: 10-15 shrimps daily; Adults: 30-40 shrimps every other day. |
| Bloodworms | Juveniles: 5-7 worms twice a week; Adults: 10-12 worms twice a week. |
| Spirulina | Juveniles: a pinch of flakes or pellets daily; Adults: a pea-sized amount daily. |
| Flake Food | Juveniles: a small pinch 1-2 times daily; Adults: a larger pinch within 2 minutes. |
| Mysis Shrimp | Juveniles: 5-10 shrimps daily; Adults: 15-20 shrimps every other day. |
Also Read: How To Feed Angelfish
1. Brine Shrimp
Angelfish, during their youthful stages, benefit immensely from the nutrition packed within brine shrimp.
Their high protein content, whether sourced from live or frozen shrimps, serves as an optimal dietary choice.
- High in Nutrition: Brine shrimp, enriched with omega-3s, boost the vibrant hues of angelfish, ensuring a gleaming, healthy appearance.
- Feeding Quantity: Juvenile angelfish flourish with 10-15 shrimps daily; adults benefit from 30-40 shrimps every other day.
- Avoid Overfeeding: Ensure leftover shrimps are removed after 5 minutes to prevent water contamination.
My recommendation: Clscea DIY Brine Shrimp Incubator Hatchery (link to Amazon).
2. Bloodworms
As a delectable treat packed with nutrients, bloodworms are often adored by angelfish. However, their richness necessitates moderation in feeding.
- Rich Protein Source: Bloodworms provide essential amino acids, promoting growth and enhancing fish vitality.
- Feeding Amount: Offer juveniles 5-7 worms and adults 10-12 worms twice a week, ensuring they’re free from contaminants.
- Treat, Not Staple: Use bloodworms as treats; over-reliance can lead to dietary imbalances and potential health issues.
My recommendation: San Francisco Bay Brand Freeze Dried Bloodworms (link to Amazon).
3. Spirulina
This blue-green algae stands out as a nutritional powerhouse for angelfish, ensuring they get a balanced diet full of essential vitamins and minerals.
- Vitamin & Mineral Boost: Spirulina is rich in vitamins A, B, and K, enhancing fish immune function and digestion.
- Feeding Guidelines: Integrate spirulina flakes or pellets, offering a pinch for juveniles and a pea-sized amount for adults daily.
- Supports Digestive Health: Regular spirulina intake can prevent constipation, promoting optimal digestive function in angelfish.
4. Flake Food
Flake food is often the staple diet for many aquarium fish, including angelfish.
Formulated flakes ensure a balanced diet, making it essential to choose a high-quality product that caters to the nutritional needs of your angelfish.
- Balanced Diet: Premium flake foods are fortified with essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins, ensuring your angelfish gets a comprehensive diet.
- Feeding Recommendation: For juveniles, sprinkle a small pinch of flakes once or twice daily; adults do well with a larger pinch, ensuring they consume all within 2 minutes.
- Variety Matters: Rotate with other foods to ensure diversity; consistent flake feeding alone can lead to dietary monotony and potential deficiencies.
My recommendation: Aqueon Tropical Flakes (link to Amazon).
5. Mysis Shrimp
Mysis shrimp are tiny saltwater shrimp, relished by many freshwater fish like angelfish due to their nutritional profile. They’re a great protein-rich alternative to other live or frozen foods.
- Protein-packed: Mysis shrimp offer essential amino acids, supporting angelfish growth, energy, and overall vitality.
- Feeding Advice: Serve juveniles 5-10 shrimps daily; adults thrive with 15-20 shrimps every other day, making sure all are consumed promptly.
- Optimal Freshness: Choose either live mysis or high-quality frozen options; rinse before feeding to remove any potential salt or contaminants.
Also Read: What Do Angelfish Eat?
What Do Juvenile and Baby Angelfish Eat?
Juvenile and baby angelfish primarily feed on tiny live foods, packed with essential nutrients to support their rapid growth and development.
As they mature, their diet can transition to larger foods and commercial preparations, but the initial stages demand specific attention to their dietary needs.
- Brine Shrimp: Newly hatched brine shrimp, or “baby brine”, is ideal. Feed 10-20 shrimps twice daily, ensuring they’re freshly hatched.
- Microworms: These tiny worms are perfect for babies. Introduce a small pinch once daily, spread across the tank to encourage foraging.
- Crushed Flakes: As they grow, crushed high-quality flakes can be introduced. Offer a light sprinkle 1-2 times daily, ensuring they’re finely crushed.
- Liquid Fry Food: Commercially available liquid foods are nutrient-dense. Administer as per the product’s instruction, typically a few drops daily, ensuring thorough tank distribution.
My recommendation: Northfin Fry Starter (link to Amazon).
How Often Should I Feed Angelfish?
Angelfish, like most tropical fish, thrive when fed smaller amounts more frequently.
Typically, feeding them once to twice daily ensures they get the nutrients they need without overloading the tank.
- Consistency is Key: Regular feeding routines, such as once in the morning and once in the evening, keep them active and healthy.
- Watch the Amount: A feed amount they can consume within 2-3 minutes is ideal to prevent overfeeding and water contamination.
- Adjust for Age: Juvenile angelfish require more frequent feedings, up to 2-3 times daily, due to their rapid growth rate.
How Can I Tell If My Angelfish Is Getting Enough Food?
Identifying whether your angelfish is well-fed is crucial for its health and well-being.
Observing its behavior, physical appearance, and growth rate can give clues about its nutritional status.
- Active Behavior: A well-fed angelfish will be lively and active, swimming around with enthusiasm and responding quickly to food.
- Physical Appearance: Check for a rounded, not bloated, belly post-feeding. A sunken belly indicates possible underfeeding.
- Steady Growth: For juveniles, consistent growth is a sign they’re receiving adequate nutrition. Track their size over weeks.
- Tank Mates: If other fish are well-fed but your angelfish isn’t, there might be competition. Ensure every fish gets its share.
What Does a Starving Angelfish Look Like?
A starving angelfish is an unfortunate sight, with distinct physical and behavioral signs of malnutrition.
Addressing the issue promptly can make the difference between recovery and prolonged suffering.
- Sunken Belly: A healthy angelfish will have a slightly rounded belly, but an undernourished one will exhibit a notably sunken abdomen.
- Dull Coloration: The bright, vibrant patterns of a well-nourished angelfish will fade in one that’s not getting enough food.
- Loss of Energy: Such fish often linger near the tank’s bottom or corners, showing a marked decrease in their usual activity.
- Visible Bones: In extreme cases, the skeletal structure, especially around the head, becomes more prominent and noticeable.
What Are The Risks of Overfeeding Angelfish?
While it might seem benign, overfeeding your angelfish can lead to serious health and environmental consequences.
It’s crucial to understand the risks and maintain a balanced feeding routine.
- Digestive Issues: Overconsumption can result in problems like bloating or constipation; observe if your angelfish struggles with regular excretion.
- Water Quality Deterioration: Leftover food can quickly decay, causing spikes in harmful substances like ammonia; regular water tests are essential.
- Increased Tank Maintenance: Overfeeding often results in more frequent cleaning due to food debris and waste accumulation.
- Obesity and Health Problems: Just like in other animals, overfed angelfish can become obese, leading to health issues and reduced lifespan.
How Long Can Angelfish Go Without Eating?
Angelfish are relatively hardy, and while they do prefer consistent feeding routines, they can survive without food for a short period.
In general, a healthy adult angelfish can go up to a week without eating, though it’s not advisable to test this limit.
- Stored Energy: Much like other animals, angelfish have reserves that they can rely on during short food scarcities.
- Stress Factor: While they can survive, going without food can cause undue stress, potentially weakening their immune system.
- Juvenile Concerns: Younger angelfish have less stored energy and a faster metabolism, so their window without food is shorter.
- Vacation Tips: If you’re away, consider automated feeders or trusted neighbors to maintain a feeding routine.
Should Angelfish Eat More When They’re Breeding?
Yes, when angelfish are in their breeding phase, their nutritional demands surge due to the energy-intensive process of producing and guarding eggs.
Ensuring they receive a well-balanced, nutrient-rich diet during this period is paramount.
- Increased Protein: Breeding angelfish thrive on additional protein. For instance, incorporating live or frozen foods like bloodworms, daphnia, and brine shrimp can boost their vitality and egg quality.
- Frequency Matters: Feeding them 3 times a day with slightly smaller portions ensures continuous energy without overwhelming their digestive system.
- Egg Health: Adequate nutrition, especially foods rich in vitamins and minerals, directly impacts the robustness of the eggs, fostering better survival rates for fry.
- Post-Breeding Care: Once the eggs are laid, the angelfish will be guarding them zealously. During this period, they might eat less.
Conclusions
For quick readers, here’s a short summary:
- Angelfish dietary needs vary by food type, with specific feeding recommendations for both juveniles and adults; consistency in feeding routine is crucial.
- Juvenile and baby angelfish require nutrient-packed live foods for growth; as they mature, they transition to larger foods and commercial preparations.
- Overfeeding angelfish leads to health risks, including digestive issues and water quality degradation; they can, however, survive without food for up to a week.
- A well-nourished angelfish exhibits active behavior, vibrant coloration, and consistent growth, while undernourished ones show signs like sunken belly and dull patterns.
- Breeding angelfish require increased nutrition, especially proteins, to support the energy-intensive process of egg production and guarding.