TOOL 03
Feeding
Calculator.
Get a straightforward feeding suggestion tailored to your fish. This is a general guide — always observe your fish and adjust.
This is a rough guide. Fish metabolism varies with temperature, age, and activity. The golden rule: feed only what your fish consume within 1–2 minutes, and skip one day a week to aid digestion.
ABOUT THIS TOOL
Feeding
Calculator.
Overfeeding is the most common mistake in aquarium keeping — it pollutes water, causes algae blooms, and harms fish health. The Feeding Calculator provides a simple, personalised feeding suggestion based on your fish type, size, count, and feeding frequency, so you have a starting point rather than guessing.
The tool uses species-specific baseline amounts and applies size multipliers to estimate how much food (in grams) your fish need per day. It also breaks this down per feeding if you feed multiple times, and provides a practical tip tailored to your fish type — for example, soaking pellets before feeding for surface-feeding species, or dropping wafers after lights out for bottom feeders.
This is a general reference, not a prescription. Fish metabolism varies with water temperature, age, activity level, and even season. The most reliable indicator is observation: watch your fish during feeding. If food is left uneaten after 2 minutes, you're feeding too much. The tool also reminds you to skip one feeding day per week, which aids digestion and prevents overfeeding.
HOW TO USE
Using the
Feeding Calculator.
- Select your fish typeChoose the category that best matches your fish — small tropical (tetras, guppies), medium tropical (gouramis, angelfish), goldfish, cichlids, bottom feeders (corydoras, plecos), or large fish (oscars, arowanas).
- Choose the adult sizePick the size category based on your fish's expected adult size, not their current size. This ensures the recommendation stays valid as they grow. Small: under 5cm, Medium: 5–15cm, Large: over 15cm.
- Enter the number of fishInput how many fish of this type you have. If you have a mixed community tank, run the calculator separately for each group and add the amounts together.
- Set feeding frequencyChoose how many times per day you plan to feed. Twice daily is the most common routine for community tanks. The tool divides the daily total accordingly.
- Read the suggestionThe primary result gives a plain-language feeding recommendation. Below it, you'll see the estimated amount per feeding and the daily total in grams.
- Follow the key tipEach fish type comes with a practical feeding tip — for example, 'only what they eat in 2 minutes' or 'drop wafers after lights out'. These tips are based on species-specific feeding behaviour.
- Observe and adjustUse the calculator's suggestion as a starting point. Watch your fish during feeding — if food remains after 2 minutes, reduce the amount. If fish appear hungry and search for more, slightly increase. Adjust over time based on behaviour and water quality.
FAQ
Common
Questions.
How much should I feed my fish?
The general rule is to feed only what your fish can consume within 1–2 minutes. This calculator gives you a gram estimate as a starting point, but visual observation is the best guide. If food is sinking uneaten, you're feeding too much. It's always better to underfeed slightly than to overfeed.
How often should I feed my fish?
Most community fish do well with 1–2 feedings per day. Once daily is fine for adult fish; growing juveniles benefit from 2–3 small feedings. The calculator defaults to twice daily. Some species, like adult goldfish, can be fed once daily or even every other day. Always research your specific species.
Should I skip a feeding day?
Yes, skipping one day per week is widely recommended. It allows fish to clear their digestive systems and mimics the natural scarcity they'd experience in the wild. It also helps prevent overfeeding, which is the leading cause of water quality problems in home aquariums.
What should I do if I have a mixed community tank?
Run the calculator for each group of fish separately, then add the suggested amounts. For example, if you have 8 tetras and 3 corydoras, calculate each group's recommendation and combine. Feed at different tank locations — surface food for top/mid-water fish, and sinking wafers for bottom feeders — so everyone gets their share.
My fish always seem hungry — am I underfeeding?
Fish begging at the surface doesn't necessarily mean they're hungry — it's a learned response to your presence. Overfeeding is far more common than underfeeding in home aquariums. If water parameters are stable and fish look healthy (good colour, active behaviour, no sunken bellies), you're feeding enough. Trust the water tests over the begging.
What types of food should I use?
A varied diet is best. For most community fish, rotate between high-quality flakes or pellets, frozen foods (bloodworms, brine shrimp), and occasional fresh vegetables (blanched peas, cucumber for goldfish and plecos). Variety ensures balanced nutrition and prevents dietary deficiencies. The calculator's per-fish tip often suggests food-appropriate behaviour for your species.