Best time to feed fish: first light or last light in the aquarium cycle

[bettaMagenta]

Title pretty much says it all... I'm stuck working all day, so my feeding schedule is limited to either first light or last light. Is one better for the fish than the other? And what about the tank - does one time produce more waste than the other after feeding?

[kokomo]

Controlling waste at its source is key. Feeding a nutritious meal at first and last light is ideal, ensuring they consume 90% or more of the food. I'm aware it's not the most enjoyable task to defrost bloodworms during your morning coffee, but it's worth the effort.

Feeding twice a day, even if it's less, is far superior to overfeeding once. I try to reserve veggies for Fridays and aim to have some free time after supper, but let's be realistic, it's not always possible.

Once your aquarium is cycled and your fish are well-fed, the system will efficiently digest any leftover food.

[Clack]

I've been doing what works for me, feeding the fish in the morning while I'm sipping coffee and catching up on some admin tasks, it's nice to sit and watch them at this time of day. My frogs, on the other hand, get their meal in the evening, they're nocturnal so it makes sense, and I usually have more time to track down any hiding ones. Never really thought about the waste aspect, though - that's a good point to consider.

[bettaMagenta]

I've been feeding my fish at night, about an hour before the lights go out, and it's been working for me. But I started thinking, is it better for the fish to eat in the morning when the lights are on all day? I mean, a regular feeding time isn't exactly natural for them, so I'm not sure if it makes a difference.

I don't have any nocturnal feeders, except maybe my Coolie loaches, and they're part of the cleanup crew, so night feeding might actually work out for them. I'm just not sure what's better for the fish overall - morning or night feeding.

[graye]

I've found that Kuhli loaches tend to be nocturnal feeders, but they're pretty adaptable. I personally prefer morning feedings, but I don't worry too much about the timing in relation to the tank's cycle. As long as I'm not overfeeding, I'm good. Figuring out the right amount can take some trial and error, and let's be honest, we've all overfed at some point when we're starting out. If you've got fish that are being raised for food, like Tilapia, they'll need a lot to eat, but for most other fish, it's not about quantity, it's about getting it just right.

[kingrise]

I usually feed at night due to my hectic daytime schedule, but honestly, I don't see any issues with morning feedings.

[TwinTankman]

Feeding habits of fish dictate when I feed. I have two types of tanks: pleco breeding and grow tanks, and planted communities with various fish.

Evening is my preferred feeding time. It must be early enough for nocturnal fish to feed, yet late enough for sinking foods to remain after lights out.

With discus, I fed them small amounts multiple times a day, as they're grazers. When breeding angels, their fry required multiple daily feedings with live foods, especially in the early stages.

I skip feeding at least one day a week, except for fry. Our schedules often dictate feeding times. While I try to maintain a routine, I occasionally feed at odd times.

One thing's for sure - most fish are opportunistic eaters. They'll consume as much as possible, whenever possible. I've observed this in all the fish I've kept.

Fish seem to be governed by three primary thoughts:
1. Is it a predator?
2. Is it food?
3. Is it a mate?

I've watched open water fish eat food meant for bottom dwellers, and vice versa. They're not picky - they'll eat whatever they can, whenever they can.

[bettaMagenta]

I've been thinking about my corys in three of my tanks - they always swim up to the surface for the good stuff. I'm curious, is it better for them to have food available throughout the day, or to only be fed during daylight hours? I'm not sure if having them hungry all day might increase aggression when I'm not around to see it, or if being full would make a difference. I do notice competition for food during meals, but I don't usually see any aggressive behavior towards specific fish.

[Burgermuncher]

I feed at a time that suits me, usually after I've eaten, so I can sit back and watch my fish feed. This way, I can also gauge how much food to give them based on how quickly they eat it. I stick to a single daily feeding. Since I don't have specific data on my fish, I go by what I know about hatchery trout - they adapt to any feeding schedule within a few feedings. In the wild, fish around here seem to feed whenever food is available. If there's an insect hatch, they'll rise to the surface to feed, usually in the mornings or at night.

[Rampar]

I work from home, which means I've got the flexibility to feed my tanks and pond around lunchtime, usually between 1 and 2 PM. I stick to once a day, except for the fry tanks - they need more frequent meals. As for the timing, I'm a firm believer that unless you're dealing with nocturnal creatures, it's best to feed them while there's still some light in the tank.