I came across an article telling about the eleven main groups of food at About.com earlier this morning. The estimable Stan and Debbie Hauter have managed to outline types of fish food into eleven main groups. You’ve probably seen me write about some of these foods in previous blog posts, so now you’ll be able to learn a little bit more about them. Thanks Stan and Debbie for taking the time to organize this list! I’m forever in your debt.
First on the list is a food group termed Algae and Seagrasses. The foods in this group are mostly made up of micro- and macroalgaes and seagrasses that aren’t truly classified as algaes. This food group is mainly consumed by herbivorist fish. However, you’re going to want to supplement this food group with some other nutrients because if the fish subsist on only grass and algae they will lose color and may ultimately become sick because their body’s aren’t getting the vitamins and minerals conducive to health.
Next we have the Algaes. Algaes are defined as only macroalgaes, no microalgaes or seagrasses are included in this category. Algae isn’t eaten on its own, but is usually consumed as omnivores scavenge for small crustaceans. The algae gets in the way and is consumed along with the unfortunate invertebrates.
Algae and Detritusis another food group for fish. You’ve probably seen me write about detritus before. This is the solid waste that is produced by fish, invertebrate, coral, and any other species that you have in your salt water aquarium. While this may sound a bit unsanitary, the detritus is actually consumed with algae and small invertebrates, giving fish great amounts of nutrients.
Sponges aren’t commonly eaten on purpose, but they did garner a place on the list. Sponges are mainly consumed by Angelfish because other species don’t find them particularly appetizing. However, sponges may be eaten by species while they are trying to pick up some algae.
Plankton are kind of the combination of everything left over in the tank. Zooplankton is comprised of copepods, amphipods, shrimp, mysids, larvae, and much more. If something small dies in your tank, it will probably be consumed as plankton. However, this conglomeration of “stuff” isn’t enough to balance a diet, it should be supplemented with algae or other nutrients.
Our look at fish food groups will continue tomorrow. Until then…..tata!!