If you are familiar with fish keeping and at some point in time, you might think if you could feed your fishes with a substitute for fish food.

Well, In this article you will learn all the foods you can feed your lovely fishes other than a typical fish food that is available in most of the pet stores.

It is common that eating the same food is quite boring for us humans, and this implies to your aquarium fishes too. Well, you might order a pizza right from your home if you are bored eating the same food.

Most of the people go out for dinner during weekends, and that should make them feel more relaxed by spending quality time with their loved ones.

Even fishes deserve a mixed or variety of food other than the same fish food.

There are varieties of foods you can feed your fishes with all the food being present in your kitchen itself. Most of the fishes are omnivores in nature and that means you can feed them vegetables and a few selected green leafy vegetable too.

So, let us discuss

What are the substitute for fish food?

Here is a quick Infographic!

Sprouts

Sprouts can be a substitute and an alternative for fish food your fishes might love to eat.

Although, most of the fishes are omnivores in nature and are comfortable with eating sprouts as their food. Fish keepers have noticed that, Plecos love eating sprouts as their food.

What are sprouts?

Sprouts are the seeds that are been allowed to germinate into young plants.

Sprouts are great for human health, and this implies to your pet fishes too. Sprouts contain a lot of nutritional value in it that is good for your fish health.

It is been said that sprouts are not only nutritious but also will help in digestion as well. Sprouts are rich in protein, folate, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese and vitamins C and K.

How to feed sprouts as a substitute for fish food?

Buy only fresh sprouts that have been properly refrigerated and check for the best before date before buying.
Refrigerate sprouts once you get them from the store.
Remove the sprouts out of the pack and soak them in water overnight.
You may also boil them feeding sprouts to your fishes as this will kill harmful germs and bacteria’s.
Next, bring the water to the normal temperature and feed your fishes.

Boiled Rice

Yes, fishes like eating boiled rice too.

Boiled rice is rich in Iron and Calcium and will help strengthen the bones of your fishes. Most of the people in Asian countries eat boiled rice as their regular meal.

Boiled rice is rich in proteins, carbs, calories, vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin E, Magnesium and Zinc. All these vitamins and minerals will help your fishes grow much faster and keeps them healthy.

Mixed diet is a great idea as it provides many other vitamins and minerals that is required.

Now, let us understand

How to feed Boiled rice as a substitute for fish food?

First, take 2 cups of water, 1 cup of water and some salt.
Next, clean the rice under water for a few times in a container.
Bring the saucepan under medium heat and pour the water into this saucepan.
Add rice, and a pinch of salt, as per taste, cover the pan and now cook in simmer.
After 15 to 17 minutes check for water if it’s absorbed.
Remove the heat, and let it sit for 5 to mins and your rice is ready.
Wait for the rice to cook and then you can feed this delicious boiled rice to your fishes.

Boiled rice is a great alternative to fish food, but don’t over-feed your fishes. You can feed them boiled rice twice or thrice a week.

Fishes even eat frozen rice as well, but defrost them to room temperature before you feed them.

Now, the next substitute for fish food is

Earthworms

Surprisingly! Earth worms can be a great alternative to fish food.

They are rich in proteins and has high level of iron and amino acids that help in repairing the body tissues of fishes. Calcium, copper, manganese and zinc is also present in earthworm.

You can feed Earthworms to your fishes for a change. Although, you may have to get these earthworms from a market or a gardening shop.

In the wilder habitats, fishes eat larvae and earthworms more often and this is the reason, I recommend feeding them earthworms as a food for once or twice a week depending upon the fish you are keeping.

You can also raise earth worms in your home itself.

How to raise Earthworms in Home for fishes?

As per EPA, you can follow these steps to raise earthworms at your home

Combine shredded paper, soil and just enough water to dampen everything.
Put the mixture into the tall bin and fill the bin about three inches deep.
Add your worms to the mixture and let them get used to it for a day before feeding them.
Make sure the mixture is very moist, but not forming puddles of water.
Collect food scraps, such as vegetables and fruit scraps, bread, tea bags, coffee grounds, and cereal in your food scrap container as you prepare and clean up after meals.
Next, notice what the worms ear and remove the stuff that is not eaten by worms.
Put the lid back on the worm bin.

Now, you can raise earthworms at your home and then feed them to your aquatic pets once or twice in a week.

And the Next, substitute for fish food is

Lettuce

If you like eating salads, then you must know lettuce very well. Lettuce is an annual plant of daisy family, Asteraceae. People use lettuce not only in salads, but also in soups, sandwiches and different other varieties of foods.

Lettuce contains Calories, Proteins, Fats, Fiber, Vitamin K, Vitamin A, Magnesium, Manganese, Folate, Iron, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin B6, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Etc.

All these vitamins and minerals are great for your fishes and will help them grow at much faster rate than usual rate, keeping them healthy and fit.

Most of the fishes are usually omnivores in nature and are comfortable with eating both plant matter and animal matter.

Lettuce is rich in vitamin C that helps your fishes away from diseases. Although, some of the fishes can be allergic to lettuce; observe your fish if it is fine and happy.

If you find your fishes getting weak and lazy, then you may have to stop feeding them lettuce as this can be an indication of allergy.

But, most of the fishes like eating lettuce, so, you can give it a try.

Now, Let us understand

How to feed Lettuce as substitute for fish food?

Go to the nearest groceries or vegetable store and get fresh Lettuce.
Wash them under running water, If possible you can wash them under hot water to kill harmful bacteria’s.
Next, cut lettuce in small pieces that can easily fit your fishes mouth.
Add them in your fish tank and wait for the fishes to eat.
Do not overfeed your fishes as this might cause problems.
Remove the uneaten or left out lettuce from your fish tank.

Take out all the uneaten parts of the lettuce from your aquarium to keep it clean. Lettuce kept in water for more than 3 hours will start polluting your water as it starts rotting away.

Note: You can also feed Boiled lettuce to your fishes as this will help them eat easily

Here is the next alternative for fish food.

Fish fillets

Fillet is a French word that usually means thread or strip. Fish fillet is a flesh of a fish that has been cut or sliced away from the bone by cutting lengthwise from the head to fin.

If your fishes are herbivores in nature, then they might not eat fish fillets because this is flesh.

Fish is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2. They are also rich in calcium that will help your fishes keep strong and healthy.

They also contain phosphorous, minerals, Iron, Zinc, Iodine, magnesium and potassium.

Fishes like Oscars, Bristlenose plecos, Catfish, and etc. loves eating this.

Note: If you find your fishes stressful then you may want to check for the pH.

If your fishes are omnivores, then they are going to love fish fillets very much.

So, let us understand

How to feed Fish fillets as substitute for fish food?

Get healthy fish fillets from nearest store.
To ensure it’s long life, always keep them in freezer.
Defrost the fish fillets and then cut them into small pieces,
Drop a few pieces in your fish tank and wait for your fishes to eat.

Note: Always choose healthy fish fillets over fatty fish fillets.

Fishes love eating different types of foods. Hence, you can try all these foods and keep your fishes fit and healthy.

And the next substitute for fish food is

Peas

The little spherical seed or seed-pod of the pod fruit Pisum sativum is most generally referred to as a pea.

Peas are usually present in pods with green and yellow color. You might be aware of peas that you consume in your diet. They are very nutritious and contains a good amount of fiber and antioxidants.

Green pea contains calories, carbs, fiber, protein, vitamin A, vitamin K, Vitamin C, Thiamine, Folate, Manganese, Iron, Phosphorous.

They are also a great source of proteins and this is the reason most of the fitness instructor suggests to add peas in your meal.

And you can feed these nutritious food to your aquatic pets as well.

So, let us understand

How to feed peas as substitute for fish food?

In a saucepan, combine 16 oz. of peas with about ½ cup water.
Bring the liquid to a boil with the lid off. Reduce heat, cover, and let your peas simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until tender.
Drain off any excess liquid and wait for it to cool
Now, Feed these yummy peas to your fishes.

Spinach

The next leafy vegetable you can feed your fishes is spinach. This leafy vegetable is great for not only humans, but also for your aquatic pets.

Spinach is found to be beneficial in eye health, reduce oxidative stress, help prevent cancer, and also in reducing blood pressure level. Spinach contains Calories, water, proteins, carbs, sugar, fiber and fat. In the wilder habitat, fishes eat plant material like algae.

They are comfortable eating spinach as a meal. Try feeding spinach to your fishes and let me know if they like it or not!

How to feed spinach as an alternative to fish food?

Get fresh spinach from the local store.
Clean under hot or running water until its clean.
Cut spinach into tiny pieces and then feed them to your fishes.
Remove the uneaten or left-out part out of the fish tank.

Note: You can also feed them steamed or cooked spinach.

The next food you can feed your fishes other than fish food is

Zucchini

Zucchini also known as courgette is a variety of squash in the Cucurbitaceae plant.

Most of them think zucchini is a vegetable, but the fact is it’s a fruit. Zucchini is rich in nutrients like calories, proteins, fat , carbs, sugar, fiber, Vitamin A, Manganese, Vitamin C, Potassium, Magnesium, vitamin K, Folate, copper, Phosphorous, Vitamin B6, Thiamine.

It also contains Iron, calcium, zinc and other several vitamins.

How to feed Zucchini as a substitute for fish food?

Get fresh Zucchini from the local store.
Clean under hot or running water until its clean.
Cut spinach into tiny pieces and then feed them to your fishes.
Remove the uneaten or left-out part out of the fish tank.

Omnivores fishes find no problem eating green leafy vegetables. Although, you can give it a try and decide if your fishes like eating Zucchini as a food or not.

Concluding Thoughts

Feeding mixed diet is important to your aquatic pets. Feeding the same food daily is quite boring for them and this is the reason, I recommend you to feed them varieties of foods to keep them healthy and happy.

If you find your fishes feel lazy and unhappy after feeding these foods, you can stop feeding them that specific food. Some the fishes might be allergic to some foods and this is the reason you should keep an eye on their behavior.

Always cut the food into tiny pieces before feeding them. Tiny pieces will help them eat safely without damaging themselves.

Did you try any of these foods with your aquatic pets? Do let me know in the comment section below!

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