Some foods can’t be served up in flake or pellet form without losing some of their delectable taste and flavor. When breeding fish, live foods are a must to be successful. Unfortunately live foods are not readily available many times of the year, so frozen foods are the next best option. Although a bit more expensive than dry foods, frozen foods are an excellent supplemental or specialty food when feeding fry or fussy eaters. All pet shops now carry frozen foods, and many companies will ship them as well. Here are different types of frozen foods, and what they are best used for.
Brine Shrimp
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Bloodworms
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One thing all fish have in common is that they enjoy a good worm. Bloodworms are one of the top food choices when conditioning fish for breeding, and make a good supplement for all fish. However, live Bloodworms are not always readily available, nor do they keep very long once purchased. Frozen Bloodworms are a great way to provide fresh worms for your aquarium fish. Look for the cubes, as they are easier to dispense and stay fresh longer.
Daphnia
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Daphnia, also known as the water flea, is a small food that is well suited for feeding small fish. It is also an ideal food for young fry, due being easily digestible and small in size. Rarely seen for sale live, frozen Daphnia is a good option. Most frozen preparations are enriched with vitamins. Daphnia can also be cultured at home if desired, or collected during warm times of the year.
Beef Heart
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Beef Heart is the primary food choice for Discus. High in protein, it is an excellent food for all freshwater carnivores. Frozen preparations generally are enriched with vitamins, and often blended with Brine Shrimp. If you have a Discus that refuses to eat, soak a Beef Heart cube in liquid garlic boost, available at most pet shops. Cichlids are prone to eat to excess if gven the opportunity, and there is debate over the negative effect that high protein Beef Heart may have if eaten to excess. Take care not to overfeed, and always remove any uneaten portions quickly to avoid fouling the aquarium water.
Krill
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Krill is a shrimp like crustacean that is eaten not only by fish, but by humans as well. Larger than traditional Brine Shrimp, Krill is commonly fed to saltwater carnivores, but is also readily accepted by freshwater fish. It makes a good occasional supplement for larger freshwater carnivores. Unavailable as a live food, Krill must be purchased in frozen or freeze-dried form. My preference is for frozen Krill, but caution should be used with either frozen or freeze-dried Krill, as they will foul the water if not eaten within a short period of time. Always remove uneaten portions promptly.
Cyclops
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Clams
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Clam meat is usually fed to saltwater fish, but freshwater carnivores will enjoy it as well. Clams are high in vitamins and make a good change of pace meal for your fish. Make sure to remove any uneaten portions promtply, as it will foul the water.
Plankton
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