Although there are many aspects to a home aquarium, if you have good aquarium filtration, the right number of fish in your tank plus the right nutrition for those aquarium fish, your maintenance requirements can be reduced and your pet fish will be very happy and healthy.

Nutrition is an area all pet fish owners need to consider when keeping an aquarium. There are two important reasons:

1. The health of your aquarium fish depends on it.
2. How often and what you feed your pet fish will have a significant impact on the biological ecosystem in your aquarium.

Listed below are some of the problems of overfeeding:

• Cloudy water – results in an unpleasant tank to view.
• More fish waste – requires extra maintenance and work.
• Algae growth – results in an unpleasant tank to view.
• Sick fish – could lead to fish dying and replacement costs.
• Uneaten food – goes straight to waste and creates more work for you.

Find out how easy it is to feed aquarium fish properly »

Similar to all other animals, aquarium fish need nutrients to stay healthy:

• Fatty acids (omega-3s)
• Vitamins and minerals
• Proteins, which contain the essential amino acids
• Carbohydrates and fibre

Omega-3 fatty acids

Fishmeal is the best source for all essential amino acids and a rich source of fatty acids including omega-3s, which play a major role in aquarium fish development.

Omega-3 fatty acids are poly-unsaturated fatty acids found primarily in fishmeal and the fish oil.

Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency signs may include:

• Reduced growth rates and feed efficiency.
• Reduced resistance to bacterial infections.
• Fish distress.

Vitamins and minerals

Vitamins and minerals are needed in varying quantities and are dependent on the direct needs of the fish.

Vitamins play an important role in relation to growth and health benefits, better performance of the metabolic functions, and enhanced immune benefits.

Minerals play an important role in cellular membranes, components of soft tissues, blood and all structural constituents of bones, fins and scales. Fish will also absorb dissolved minerals from the water, through the gills, fins and oral epithelia.

Proteins and carbohydrates

Plant extracts play an important role, with several plant proteins and grain by-products used on a regular basis in fish diets. Wheat contains nutrients essential for fish and with proper thermal processing to enhance digestibility, they become a great source product for energy.