You’re afraid the fish will die if you feed too much, and afraid they won’t get enough to eat if you feed too little. Theoretically, you’ve watched videos from various bloggers online, but no one can give you a specific amount. However, we cannot just stop at theory. Today, I will demonstrate step-by-step how to feed the fish. No matter what fish you keep, how many you have, or what feed you use, you can follow this method.
The 20-Second Fish Feeding Method
We don’t go by the amount of feed, because that is unreliable. Different feeds and different numbers of fish mean there is no standard. So, to help beginners understand how to feed, I came up with a 20-Second Fish Feeding Method. First, I will explain the principle to everyone, and then I’ll teach you step-by-step.
The so-called “20 seconds” refers to the amount we feed—ensure you start counting from the moment the fish takes the first bite. Remember, I said start counting from the first bite. They should finish eating within 20 seconds of starting the count. If the fish haven’t eaten yet and you start counting, that would be incorrect.
Practical Demonstration
Feed a little first and see how many seconds it takes for the fish to finish it. Suppose the fish finish the amount you fed this time in exactly 10 seconds; that means you fed too little. So next time, directly feed twice this amount—two 10-second portions—which makes 20 seconds. Why split it into 2 times instead of feeding double the amount directly? Mainly because if you feed too much at once, the fish can’t finish it immediately and a large amount of feed will sink to the bottom. Not only will the fish not be full, but the water will also easily become polluted and spoil, so I choose to feed in divided portions.
How Many Times a Day?
Okay, here comes the key point. You know how much to feed at one time, so how many times a day should you feed?
The following is merely a personal suggestion; you can accept it or not.
For the first month of a newly set up tank, the nitrification system has not been fully established. It is recommended to try not to feed large amounts. Just feed once a day, and using the “20-Second Fish Feeding Method” will be fine.
If the filtration is relatively powerful—for example, you are using an Ancai trickle filter box (filtration equipment) or a turnover box bottom filter (aquarium bottom filtration device)—with such filtration, if you want the fish to grow a bit faster, you can feed twice a day, with a 20-second amount each time.
After one month, when the nitrification system is fully established, if you just want to keep the fish alive, you can continue following the previous schedule of once or twice a day. If you want the fish to grow fast, and provided the filtration is powerful, you can feed a 20-second amount each time, two to three times a day.
Precautions for Beginners
What I am sharing with everyone is mainly a feeding method aimed at beginners. Veterans, you can feed however you like. If beginners feed casually or feed large amounts, it can easily lead to large feeding volumes, with feed sinking to the bottom and ruining the water. If fish eat a lot, they excrete a lot, which makes it easy to ruin the water. The ultimate reason for ruined water and dead fish is caused by incorrect feeding.
Original article by KPTer, if reproduced, please cite the source: https://www.kaipet.com/en/times-day-beginners-feed-fish-20-feeding-method-teaches-precise-feeding
