The best varied fish diet?

First of all, hey! I’ve just joined the forum.

I have a question for you guys. I really want to make sure the diet I feed my little creatures is nutritious and varied so I need some advice since I’m still a beginner in fish keeping.

I currently have a single male betta, couple of bronze catfish, 10 red cherry shrimp and 3 amano (also 4 neon tetra rescues at the moment until I find them a forever home). Oh, and a zebra nerite snail!

The foods I’m feeding currently are tropical flakes, tropical mini pellets, algae wafers, catfish sinking pellets and shrimp sinking pellets. I’ve also got hold of some frozen bloodworms today so I’m excited to feed them those this evening!

Is there anything else that I can be feeding them all that will be healthy and nutritious? For example I’ve heard you can feed snails cooked cucumber and some other veg but I’m not entirely sure. Will other fish and shrimp eat that too? Any other frozen foods that are particularly good for any of them? Thanks in advance!

 

My lot LOVE frozen Brine shrimp - that's another one that most fish will enjoy For smaller fish, you can also get frozen Baby Brine Shrimp.

I don't personally feed veggies, but I gather from reading other posts that the shrimp will enjoy those too (like blanched broccoli, zuchinni and kale). Any veg that's dark green will have lots of nutrients for them as well as it being a fresh 'treat'

Just a note that occurred to me: be cautious and use utensils to feed/handle the bloodworms. Apparently, some folks are highly allergic to them. The ones I buy even have a warning on the package.

 

Apparently, some folks are highly allergic to them.

I am. Have to feed after water change or I get a rash on my forearm.

Another food to consider, in addition to your great list, is Repashy or Tropical gel formulas. You've nailed variety, but do think about amounts. Like one flake per fish or one bloodworm per fish.

Do you have live plants for your shrimp and snails?

 

My lot LOVE frozen Brine shrimp - that's another one that most fish will enjoy For smaller fish, you can also get frozen Baby Brine Shrimp.

I don't personally feed veggies, but I gather from reading other posts that the shrimp will enjoy those too (like blanched broccoli, zuchinni and kale). Any veg that's dark green will have lots of nutrients for them as well as it being a fresh 'treat'

Just a note that occurred to me: be cautious and use utensils to feed/handle the bloodworms. Apparently, some folks are highly allergic to them. The ones I buy even have a warning on the package.

I might have to try brine shrimp if the bloodworms go down well! Thank you, and yes I will be sure to use tweezers for feeding!

I am. Have to feed after water change or I get a rash on my forearm.

Another food to consider, in addition to your great list, is Repashy or Tropical gel formulas. You've nailed variety, but do think about amounts. Like one flake per fish or one bloodworm per fish.

Do you have live plants for your shrimp and snails?

Thank you for your suggestion! I try to feed however much they manage to eat in 3 min.
As for live plants, I’ve got two moss balls but that’s about it

 

Thank you for your suggestion! I try to feed however much they manage to eat in 3 min.
As for live plants, I’ve got two moss balls but that’s about it

Not sure where that 3 minute idea originated, but it's a thing. Overfeeding leads to any number of issues in the long run.

Our fish don't have the same caloric requirements as their wild counterparts - it's generally considered better for overall health and longevity to "underfeed" two times a day. You can even throw in a day of fasting per week, which makes the next feeding even more fun to watch, and doesn't harm your fish.

 

I'm in the same boat. I'm slowly building my live Brine Shrimp hatchery. And found out about Vinegar Eel, Microworm and Daphnia cultures recently.

Here are some links. They're all fairly cheap to set up:

How to cultivate microworms | 145865 | Fish Food