THE WATER SURFACE IS THE AREA WHICH GASES CAN ENTER OR LEAVE THE WATER. THE LARGER THE AREA THE QUICKER AND MORE EFFICIENTLY THE GASEOUS EXCHANGES CAN TAKE PLACE. SINCE FISHES IN THE WATER ARE USING UP OXEGEN AND THIS OXYGEN IS ARRIVING VIA THE WATER SURFACE SO THE LARGER THE AREA THE BETTER. A TANK WITH AN AREA OF 24X12 WILL HOLD ALMOST THE SAME NUMBER OF FISH WHETHER IT BE 12 OR 18 INCHES DEEP. SO CHOOSING A WIDER TANK OVER A DEEP NARROW TANK WILL BE BETTER SUITED.

It is said that as far back as 2500 BC the Sumerians kept fish food in ponds and that about 100 BC before then the Chinese had begun to domesticate the carp, while the Romans kept Moray eels. The Goldfish was kept during the Sung Dynasty AD 960-1278 and it is believed that in some instances this fish was brought indoors in porcelain bowls during the winter. So one could say the Chinese are due the credit of the first fishkeepers.

Concerned about the risk of disease from feeding tubifex? No problem – there are other excellent live foods available. One of the very best is Artemia, more commonly known as Brine Shrimp. If you’ve looked around for live brine shrimp you’ve probably discovered they are a bit pricey, or difficult to find at all. Don’t give up. Most fish shops carry a good selection of frozen brine shrimp. The texture and flavor of brine shrimp will vary based on what they were fed, and how they are frozen. Much like people, fish have distinct preferences when it comes to food. Don’t hesitate to try several brands to find the one your fish likes the best. Regardless of whether you try frozen or live Artemia, you will be surprised to see how voraciously even small fish will consume them.

As for how much food to feed, a good rule of thumb is to feed no more than the fish will consume completely in less than five minutes. When in doubt, underfeed! You can always give them another small feeding if necessary. However, if you overfeed the uneaten food will produce by-products which can be harmful to the fish. In the event you do overfeed, promptly remove the uneaten food using a siphon or net.

As a final note, keep in mind that not only the amount but the type of food is important. Check the related links for a reference table that shows the proper type of diet for most popular aquarium fish.

How Often
So how often, and how much should fish be fed? Frequency will vary based on the type of fish. In general most fish do quite well on one feeding per day. However, some owners prefer to feed their fish twice a day. Regardless of one or two feedings, the key is to keep the feedings very small. The timing is not critical, with the exception of nocturnal feeders, such as certain catfish. If you have nocturnal fish in your tank, be sure to feed them just before turning the lights out at night.

There are some exceptions to the once per day feeding rule. Herbivores (vegetarians) need to eat frequently because they do not have large stomachs to hold a lot of food. In nature they would graze all day long on plants. They should be given several small feedings a day, or provided with live plants they can nibble. Newly hatched fry and young fish not fully grown, require more frequent feedings of special foods designed for fry.