Feeding Fish Fry: The First Weeks

The first few weeks of a fish's life are the most critical. Properly nourishing fry requires specialized techniques and foods, as their tiny mouths and high metabolisms demand frequent, nutrient-dense meals.

OriginUnknown

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ChemistryInert

The Stages of Fry Feeding

1. Infusoria (The First 48 Hours)

For many egg-scattering species, newborn fry are too small for even the smallest commercial foods.

What it is: Microscopic organisms (protozoa, rotifers) that live in mature aquarium water.
When to use: Immediately after the yolk sac is absorbed.
How to culture: Place crushed lettuce leaves or potato peels in a jar of tank water in a sunny spot until the water turns slightly cloudy and then clears.

2. Micro-Foods (Days 3-10)

As fry grow, they can graduated to larger, but still microscopic, live foods.

Vinegar Eels: Tiny non-parasitic nematodes that stay suspended in the water column.
Microworms: A fatty, easy-to-culture worm that sinks to the bottom.
Liquid Fry Food: Commercial suspensions that provide essential vitamins and minerals.

3. The Gold Standard: Baby Brine Shrimp (Days 10-30)

Newly hatched Artemia (Baby Brine Shrimp) are the secret to success for almost all professional breeders.

Why: They are highly attractive to fry due to their movement and are packed with protein and fatty acids.
Preparation: Requires a brine shrimp hatchery (often just a bottle with an air stone and salt water) to hatch cysts over 24 hours.

Tips for Success

Feed Frequently: Fry should be fed 4-6 times a day in very small amounts.
Maintain Water Quality: With high feeding rates comes high waste. Small, frequent water changes (10-20% daily) are essential.
Use a Sponge Filter: Standard power filters can suck up fry. Sponge filters provide gentle filtration and a surface for fry to graze on.
Clean the Bottom: Siphon uneaten food regularly to prevent fungal growth and ammonia spikes.

Key Foods At a Glance