Feeding your aquarium fish correctly is one of the most important parts of keeping them healthy and your tank clean.
Many beginners in Pakistan accidentally overfeed or feed at the wrong times, which causes cloudy water, bad smell, and sick fish.

This simple guide will teach you exactly how much, how often, and how to avoid common feeding mistakes.

How Many Times to Feed Aquarium Fish

Most aquarium fish should be fed 1–2 times a day.

Best Practice:

• Once a day is enough for guppies, mollies, tetras, goldfish, and bettas.

• Twice a day is fine for active fish — but only tiny amounts.

Fish have very small stomachs (about the size of their eye), so they truly don’t need much food.

How Much Food to Give

Feed only what your fish can eat in 20–30 seconds.

If the food is still floating or sinking after 30 seconds, you’ve added too much.

Signs you’re feeding the right amount:

• Fish finish all food quickly

• No flakes or pellets settle on the bottom

• Water stays clear

• No bad smell

Common Feeding Mistakes Beginners Must Avoid

1. Overfeeding the Fish

This is the biggest and most common mistake.

Overfeeding causes:

• Cloudy water

• Algae bloom

• Bad smell

• Digestive issues

• Sudden fish deaths

Fix: Feed tiny pinches. Remember: Less is better.

2. Feeding Too Many Times a Day

Giving food 3–4 times a day stresses the fish and pollutes the tank.

Fix: Stick to 1–2 feedings daily.

3. Using Food That’s Too Large

Large pellets can choke small fish like guppies and tetras.

Fix:

• Crush flakes for small fish

• Use micro pellets

• Use sinking wafers for bottom feeders

4. Leaving Uneaten Food in the Tank

Uneaten food rots and produces ammonia which is dangerous for fish.

Fix:
Remove leftover food using a net or siphon after feeding.

5. Feeding New Fish Immediately

Newly added fish are stressed and may not eat.

Fix:
Wait 2–3 hours before the first feeding.

6. Feeding All Fish the Same Type of Food

Different fish eat at different levels of the tank.

Correct Feeding Types:

• Surface eaters: Guppies, bettas → floating flakes

• Mid‑level eaters: Tetras → micro pellets

• Bottom eaters: Catfish, loaches → sinking pellets

Bonus Tips for Proper Feeding

• Add one fasting day per week to keep digestion healthy.

• Don’t shake the container — sprinkle small pinches.

• Store food in a cool, dry place.

• Check expiry date on fish food.

If your aquarium continues having water clarity or health issues because of feeding habits, a Scheduled Maintenance Plan from hobbyland.pk can help keep your tank stable long‑term.

Final Words

Correct feeding is essential for maintaining a clean, stable, and healthy aquarium.
Keep portions small, avoid overfeeding, and choose the right type of food for your fish.

If you need additional help beyond feeding — such as Full Aquarium Setup, Custom Aquarium Creation, Aquascape Improvement, or Professional Cleaning — hobbyland.pk offers complete aquarium care solutions.