Aquarium catfish: how to feed a bottom introvert

Aquarium catfish are very different from other fish. First of all, these are bottom fish: they spend most of their lives at the bottom and rarely rise above. Many of them have a lower mouth. Sometimes it is even modified into a special sucker, and therefore it is difficult for catfish to feed along with everyone else. Such a mouth is needed to find food in the ground or scrape it off rocks and snags. In addition, many catfish are shy and refuse to swim out for general feeding.

It is important to feed these special fish in such a way that there is enough food for everyone, and the food is appropriate for their needs and characteristics. It is important that the food sinks to the bottom so that other aquarium fish do not have time to eat it. 

Especially for aquarium catfish, food is produced in the form of tablets and plates. They are quite large and quickly fall to the bottom, where catfish can find such food. The shape of tablets and plates maximally takes into account the species characteristics of these fish. Tablets do not crumble, do not create dust and are stored in water for a long time without impairing its properties.

Depending on the species, the needs of bottom fish are different. Among them there are omnivorous and herbivorous representatives. Herbivores include all Loricariidae – the so-called “sucker catfish”: ancistrus, pterygoplichts, plecostomuses, sturisomes, otocincluss and others. Their diet should be 70% plant-based. In addition, they need a high fiber content for healthy digestion.

In the diet of omnivorous catfishes (corridors, corakatums) and loach fishes (botsia), both vegetable and animal protein should be present. Therefore, different feeds are produced for these two groups.

Herbivorous catfish are suitable for the Tetra Pleco line. All feeds in it contain high-quality herbal supplements: spirulina, zucchini. And for omnivorous bottom dwellers – the Tetra Wafer line. The feed of this series consists of two types of plates: green and brown. The former are a source of herbal ingredients, enriched with spirulina to maintain immunity. Tetra Wafer contains crustaceans as a source of animal protein and carotenoids for active growth and bright color.

 It is enough to feed catfish only once a day. In this case, it is advisable to throw the tablets in places inaccessible to other fish. Catfish are active mainly in the evening and at night, moreover, they are often shy. Therefore, I recommend feeding them after turning off the light.

If you follow these simple rules, you can be sure that all your catfish in the aquarium will be full. A properly selected diet will keep them healthy and clean water.