NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Tropical and coldwater ornamental fish differ in their nutritional & feeding requirements. For example: some fish have evolved to feed on specific types of foods (e.g. herbivores and carnivores), whilst others have particular physical feeding needs (e.g. bottom feeders and algae grazers).
The diet offered needs to be appropriate to meet these different needs. In other words, it should deliver an appropriate amount of different nutrients, and be in a format that the fish can easily eat. A good quality prepared food will provide fish with a balanced diet. This will include nutrients such as protein (which supplies the 10 essential amino acids that most fish require), fats (for energy and as a source of essential unsaturated fatty acids), vitamins and minerals. Fish foods will also normally provide pigment enhancers, to bring out the natural colours of the fish (e.g. in the form of ingredients such as shrimp meal, Spirulina algae, and lutein).
Fish are unable to make their own Vitamin C and so must be provided with this nutrient in the diet. Essential Vitamins including A, C, D, E and K are supplied in most complete fish foods.
Pigment enhancers that bring out the colour of the fish, may also be provided in the food, often in the form of natural ingredients such as shrimp meal, spirulina, or even lutein from Marigolds.
