Last Updated on April 23, 2023 by Coral Realm
Tropical fish are the most common group in the aquatic industry, found in aquariums all over the world; tropical fish are a delight to own. Many new owners struggle with finding the perfect food regime for their fish, as they require different methods, amounts and ingredients depending on their species, size and feeder type. The majority of aquarium fish are incredibly adaptable to several feeding techniques and foods, this creates a straightforward job of finding the correct foods.
Fish have evolved to capture their foods in different ways depending on where they sit in the food chain or where they capture their food in the water – guppies have upturned mouths to consume foods at the surface of the water, whereas bottom dwellers such as clown loaches have downturned mouths to forage on the bottom through the substrate. There are many food options for different species that are both affordable and a great source of nutrients for your fish to keep them happy and healthy all year round.
IN THIS ARTICLE
Top 10 Best Tropical Fish Food for Top and Middle Feeding Fish:
1. TetraMin Plus Tropical Flakes (Cleaner and Clearer Water Formula)
- TROPICAL FORMULATION: Highly digestible flake blend for use as staple food for all tropical fish.
- PLUS SHRIMP: With natural shrimp for maximum flavor – a natural attractant for aquarium fish.
- FOR ALL TROPICAL FISH: ProCare blend helps support your fish’s immune system for optimal health and long life.
- CLEAR-WATER FORMULA: Won’t cloud water when used as directed.
- COLOR ENHANCING: Specialized, high-protein fish flake in a formula that enhances your fish’s naturally brilliant colors.
This fish food is compacted into a flake formula that is designed to support your fish’s immune system and enhance their colors. Made with vital ingredients, this flake food will provide your fish with the essential nutrients to maintain their health. This particular food is also designed to preserve the look of your aquarium and to prevent the water from becoming cloudy.
How to use: Feed 2-3 times daily, only give your fish the amount that they can eat within several minutes.
Suitable for: All species, all ages
2. Tetra Color Tropical Flakes
- TROPICAL FORMULATION: Tetra Tropical Color Flakes were created with the fishkeeper’s success in mind to provide all the nutrition your fish needs.
- COLOR ENHANCING: Formulated to boost your fish’s naturally brilliant colors.
- DESIGNED FOR: Perfect for top- and mid-feeding fish.
- ACTIVE LIFE FORMULA: With added antioxidants for healthy cells, select proteins for growth and prebiotics for digestion.
- CLEAR-WATER FORMULA: Won’t cloud water when used as directed.
Using the same flake formula as the previous fish food, this type focuses completely on the coloring of your fish, containing a natural colour enhancer to brighten the coloring of your tropical fish. This food will provide your fish with a complete diet as well as an enhanced look.
How to use: Feed 2-3 times daily, only give your fish the amount that they can eat within several minutes
Suitable for: All species, all ages
3. TetraMin Tropical Granules
This formula is more suited towards smaller community fish such as guppies, bettas and tetras. These slow sinking and nutritionally packed granules are a great way to introduce different textures and food types into your fish’s diet.
The formula improves food utilization which helps to minimize waste for cleaner and clearer water.
How to use: Best used alongside the TetraMin Flakes, feed 2-3 times daily, only give your fish the amount that they can eat within several minutes. For Betta fish, only feed a few granules per sitting.
Suitable for: Small community fish
4. TetraColor Tropical Granules
- Brings Out Beautiful Colors of Larger Tropical Fish
- In addition, these slow-sinking granules bring color-enhancing nutrition to mid-water and bottom-feeding fish
- Enhanced with vitamin C and the patented health-enhancing ProCare from TetraMin
- Length of granule is 1-3mm
Similar to the previous granules, this food is packed with vitamins and minerals for optimum health. However, this version is more suited to larger tropical fish that feed in the middle section of the tank such as Discus and Angelfish, they will sink slightly faster than the TetraMin Tropical Granules in order to accommodate for the middle feeding fish. in addition, this formula helps promote the vibrant colors of your fish.
How to use: Feed 2-3 times daily, only give your fish the amount that they can eat within several minutes.
Suitable for: Any species, any age (more suited for larger, middle feeding fish)
5. TetraMin 3-in-1 Tropical Fish Food
- TROPICAL FORMULATION Complete diet fish food for tropical feeders that provides healthy variety and feeding fun
- 3 FOODS IN 1 Includes Tetra TetraMin Tropical Flakes BabyShrimp and TetraMin Tropical Granules all in one can
- COMPLETE DIET Feed two to three times daily with the staple flake and granule supplement with Tetra BabyShrimp two to three times per week
- FOR DAILY FEEDING Advanced nutrition for the discerning fish-keeper
- EASY-TO-USE DISPENSER Canister top allows you to dial in the food you want
This 3 in 1 combo will provide your fish with a varied diet that contains different nutrients. Completed with the TetraMin Tropical Flakes, Baby shrimp and TetraMin Tropical Granules, this allows you to vary their diet and be kept all in one packet, which is ideal for saving space.
How to use: Feed the flakes and granules 2-3 times daily, whilst supplementing the shrimps 2-3 times per week. Only give your fish the amount that they can eat within several minutes.
Suitable for: All species, all age
6. TetraPro Tropical Colour Crisps
- TROPICAL FORMULATION: TetraPro Tropical Color Crisps provide advanced nutrition for the discerning tropical fish-keeper.
- OPTIMAL HEALTH: Made with exclusive low-heat process that preserves essential vitamins and nutrients – enhanced with biotin to support fish’s immune system.
- COLOR ENHANCING: High content of natural color enhancers promote the development of rich, beautiful coloration in tropical fish.
- CLEAR-WATER FORMULA: Easy-to-digest formula helps fish metabolize food more efficiently, reducing waste in the aquarium.
- FLOATING FOOD: Fish have longer to eat, so more food gets eaten and the water stays clear.
This food is a firmer constancy than the flakes, meaning that they float on top of the water for a longer time, which is a huge benefit for top feeding fish. filled with colour enhancers, biotin and a clear water formula, this food will ensure that your fish stay healthy.
How to use: Feed 2-3 times daily, only give your fish the amount that they can eat within several minutes.
Suitable for: All species, only adults.
7. TetraFin Goldfish Flakes
- GOLDFISH FORMULATION: Specially designed for use as a staple flake food for your goldfish or small koi.
- FOR DAILY FEEDING: Nutritionally balanced diet for optimal health, color and vitality.
- PROCARE FORMULA: Helps support fish’s immune system for optimal health and long life.
- CLEAN AND CLEAR WATER FORMULA: Designed to be easily digested, helping to keep aquarium water clean and clear.
- COLOR ENHANCING: Enhances the goldfish’s naturally brilliant colors.
Designed for goldfish, this flake food will provide your fish with a nutritionally balanced diet by supporting their immune system, giving them vitamins and minerals whilst also enhancing their natural colors.
How to use: Feed 2-3 times daily, only give your fish the amount that they can eat within several minutes.
Suitable for: Goldfish, all ages
8. Tetra BettaMin Small Pellets
- BETTA FORMULATION Nutritionally complete daily diet for your Siamese fighting fish (betta splendens)
- COLOR-ENHANCING Includes carotenoids to enhance your betta’s naturally brilliant colors
- FLOATING PELLETS Ideally sized for top-feeding bettas
- PROCARE FORMULA Helps support fish’s immune system for optimal health and long life
- FOR DAILY FEEDING Feed 2 to 3 times daily only as much as your fish can consume within several minutes
Designed for Siamese fighting fish (Bettas), these small pellets float at the surface of the water and are packed with carotenoids to enhance their colour, ProCare formula to improve their immune system and a range of vitamins and minerals.
How to use: Feed 2-3 times daily, only give your fish the amount that they can eat within several minutes.
Suitable for: Betta fish, all ages
9. Tetra Cichlid Flakes
- CICHLID FORMULATION: These protein-rich flakes are specially designed for use as a staple food for top- and mid-water cichlids.
- FOR DAILY FEEDING: Nutritionally balanced diet for optimal health, color and vitality – supports a long life.
- PROCARE FORMULA: Helps support fish’s immune system for optimal health and long life.
- CLEAR-WATER FORMULA: Will not cloud water when used as directed.
- CONTAINS BIOTIN: Helps maintain a healthy metabolism.
Packed with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, biotin and colour enhances, these flakes will provide your cichlids with a balanced diet that will improve their health and lengthen their lifespan.
How to use: Feed 2-3 times daily, only give your fish the amount that they can eat within several minutes.
Suitable for: Cichlids, all ages
These flakes can also be replaced with TetraCichlid Cichlid Crisps.
10. Tetra Cichlid Sticks
- CICHLID FORMULATION: These protein-rich flakes are specially designed for use as a staple food for top- and mid-water cichlids.
- FOR DAILY FEEDING: Nutritionally balanced diet for optimal health, color and vitality – supports a long life.
- PROCARE FORMULA: Helps support fish’s immune system for optimal health and long life.
- CLEAR-WATER FORMULA: Will not cloud water when used as directed.
- CONTAINS BIOTIN: Helps maintain a healthy metabolism.
These cichlid sticks are more suitable for medium to large top feeding cichlids such as firemouths, they will benefit from these sticks more than the flakes or granules due to the higher percentage of protein and improved ability to float on the surface.
How to use: Feed 2-3 times daily, only give your fish the amount that they can eat within several minutes.
Suitable for: Medium to large cichlids, all ages
Top 5 Best Tropical Fish Foods for Bottom Feeders:
1. TetraMin Tropical Tablets
- TROPICAL FORMULATION: Easily digestible ingredients for use as staple food for your bottom-feeding tropical fish.
- SINKING TABLETS: Provides a complete, balanced diet for omnivorous bottom feeders.
- NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED: Fortified with Vitamin C to nutritionally support your fish’s immune system.
- WITH ESSENTIAL PROTEIN: Formulated for growth and vitality.
- LESS WASTE: Supports healthy digestion – feed tablets once daily, along with Tetra TetraMin flakes and granules to provide nutrition for all levels of fish.
These sinking tablets provide a complete diet to all bottom feeders, complete with protein and vitamin C they aid in digestion, growth and a healthy immune system.
How to use: Feed once a day
Suitable for: All bottom feeders
2. Tetra Shrimp Wafers
- Daily diet for Catfish and Loaches with rich Shrimp protein
- Sinking food ideal for bottom Feeders
- NUTRITIONALLY BALANCED: Formulated with a stabilized vitamin source and guaranteed nutrient percentages to support fish health.
- Clear water formula
- SUPPLEMENTAL USE: For other shrimp protein-loving fish, feed every few days, only what your fish can consume within a few hours.
These sinking wafers are formulates with shrimp protein suitable for catfish and loaches, they are balanced with vitamins to aid their health and includes a clear water formula to prevent the water from becoming cloudy as it sits on the bottom of the tank.
How to use: Feed the amount that they will consume in a few hours
Suitable for: Catfish and loaches, all ages
3. Tetra Veggie Algae Wafers
- PLECO FORMULATION Supports the nutritional needs of herbivore bottom-feeders such as Plecostomus
- SINKING WAFERS WITH CONCENTRATED ALGAE Provides a complete balanced diet for algae eaters
- ALL-VEGETABLE SUPPLEMENT Easily digested vegetarian fish food that’s naturally high in fiber
- DAILY USE Feed only the amount that your bottom-feeding fish will consume within a few hours each day
- CLEAR-WATER FORMULA Won’t cloud water when used as directed
These are sinking wafers concentrated with algae that provides a balanced diet for your bottom dwelling plecostomus. Easily digestible and high in fibre, they are a great option for your bottom feeders – these are also formulated with a clear water formula.
How to use: Place the amount that they will consume in a few hours in the tank
Suitable for: Catfish (pleco), all ages
4. API Bottom Feeder Shrimp Pellets
- Contains one (1) API BOTTOM FEEDER PELLETS WITH SHRIMP Fish Food 7.9-Ounce Container
- Includes optimal protein sources to support healthy fish and ideal growth
- Contains shrimp pellet, mussel, and seaweed for improved nutrition and great taste
- Formulated for easy digestion, leading to less toxic ammonia and cleaner, clearer water
- Feed as much as fish can consume in 30 minutes as bottom feeders have slower feeding habits
These pellets are formulated with shrimp, protein, and vitamins to support growth, improve nutrition and digestion. They are formulated with a clear water formula and helps prevent the occurrence of ammonia.
How to use: Feed twice a day, only feed as much as they will consume in 30 minutes
Suitable for: All bottom feeders, all ages
5. Invert Aquatics Micro Mix
- Quick Sinking, Spirulina Enriched, Advanced Daily Nutrition
Formulated with spirulina, vitamins and minerals, these fast sinking pellets are a great source of nutrients as well as providing a complete diet for your bottom feeders.
How to use: Feed as much as they will consume in a few hours
Suitable for: Snails, shrimp, plecos
Conclusion
Hopefully this guide on the best tropical fish foods has given you some good ideas on what you should be feeding your top, middle, and bottom feeding fish. You can also read our guide on feeding tropical fish which will give you more general information on feeding your fish.
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