Best Fish Food of 2025

Janie Foster Avatar
Janie Foster
Last Updated: Jan 4, 2025

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Fish food is an essential component of maintaining a healthy and vibrant aquarium environment. There are a variety of options available, from flakes and pellets to frozen and live foods. Flakes and pellets are the most common types of fish food, made from a mix of proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Frozen foods, such as brine shrimp and bloodworms, provide a more natural diet for fish and can be a great supplement to their regular food. Live foods, like daphnia and mosquito larvae, are also a great option for many fish species. It is important to choose the right type of fish food that meets the nutritional needs of your fish and promotes their overall health and wellbeing.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Tetra 16106 Min Tropical Flakes Cover #TOP 1
Tetra 16106 Min Tropical Flakes
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Tetra Goldfish Flakes 2.2 Pound Bucket Cover #TOP 2
Tetra Goldfish Flakes 2.2 Pound Bucket
ftb score rating icon 9.7
TetraPro Tropical Color Crisps Fish Food Cover #TOP 3
TetraPro Tropical Color Crisps Fish Food
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Fish Food

#TOP 1

Tetra 16106 Min Tropical Flakes

16106
Tetra 16106 Min Tropical Flakes Cover
TetraMin Nutritionally Balanced Tropical Flake Food for Tropical Fish

Tetra Tropical Flakes is a highly digestible and nutritionally balanced fish food specially formulated for top- and mid-feeding tropical fish. With its active life formula, this fish food contains added antioxidants for healthy cells, select proteins for growth, and prebiotics for digestion. Not only does it provide optimal nutrition for your fish, but it also helps maintain clear water without clouding it. The feeding instructions recommend feeding two to three times daily, only as much as your fish can consume within three minutes. With Tetra Tropical Flakes, you can ensure the health and vitality of your tropical fish while minimizing waste.

What We Like
Highly digestible
Nutritionally balanced
Added antioxidants for healthy cells

Tetra Goldfish Flakes 2.2 Pound Bucket

77006
Multi-Color
Tetra Goldfish Flakes 2.2 Pound Bucket Cover
Tetra Goldfish Flakes, Nutritionally Balanced Diet For Aquarium Fish, Vitamin C Enriched Flakes, 2.2 lbs

Tetra Goldfish Flakes is a nutritionally balanced diet designed for goldfish or small koi. It is a complete diet with added antioxidants for healthy cells, select proteins for growth, and prebiotics for digestion. It enhances the fish's naturally brilliant colors and won't cloud the water when used as directed. The food also features a dispenser lid for hands-free feeding and a formula that yields a cleaner and clearer water guarantee. Additionally, its precise blend of immunostimulants, vitamins, biotin, and Omega-3 fatty acids helps strengthen fish's resistance to disease and stress.

What We Like
Nutritionally balanced diet for optimal health, color, and vitality
Added antioxidants for healthy cells, select proteins for growth, and prebiotics for digestion
Dispenser lids for hands-free feeding
Won't cloud water when used as directed
Precise blend of immunostimulants, vitamins, biotin, and Omega-3 fatty acids to strengthen fish's resistance to disease and stress
#TOP 3

TetraPro Tropical Color Crisps Fish Food

77080-02
Black
TetraPro Tropical Color Crisps Fish Food Cover
Tetra Pro Fish Food, Tropical Color Crisps With Color Enhancers, Floating Fish Food, 7.41 Ounce

TetraPro Tropical Color Crisps is a specially formulated fish food that provides advanced nutrition for tropical fish-keepers. It contains natural color enhancers that promote rich and beautiful coloration in fish. The exclusive low-heat process preserves essential vitamins and nutrients, while the biotin content supports the fish's immune system. The easy-to-digest and floating formula helps fish metabolize food efficiently and reduces waste in the aquarium.

What We Like
Contains natural color enhancers for beautiful coloration in fish
Exclusive low-heat process preserves essential vitamins and nutrients
Floating formula helps fish metabolize food efficiently and reduces waste in the aquarium
#TOP 4

TetraFin Plus Goldfish Flakes: Balanced Diet with Algae

77247
Oranges
TetraFin Plus Goldfish Flakes: Balanced Diet with Algae Cover
TetraFin Plus Goldfish Flakes 7.06 Ounces, Balanced Diet, With Algae To Promote Health

TetraFin Plus Goldfish Flakes is a premium staple flake food specially formulated for goldfish or small koi. The food contains algae flakes that help support fish health and promote digestibility. With ProCare formula, it helps support fish's immune system for optimal health and long life. The clean and clear water formula is designed to be easily digested, keeping aquarium water clean and clear. Additionally, the food enhances the goldfish's naturally brilliant colors.

What We Like
Premium staple flake food for goldfish or small koi
Contains algae flakes for fish health and digestibility
ProCare formula supports fish's immune system for optimal health and long life
#TOP 5

TetraColor Tropical Flakes Fish Food

16162
Chicken
TetraColor Tropical Flakes Fish Food Cover
TetraColor Tropical Flakes, Color Boosting Fish Food, Nutritionally Balanced Diet for Tropical Fish, 7.06 oz

Tetra Tropical Flakes are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of your tropical fish. This food not only supports their overall health but also enhances their vibrant colors, making your aquarium more visually appealing. Designed for top- and mid-feeding fish, it ensures that a variety of species can benefit from it. Additionally, the flakes contain antioxidants, select proteins, and prebiotics, promoting healthy growth and aiding digestion. With a clear-water formula, you can feed your fish without worrying about clouding the water, helping you maintain a clean and beautiful aquatic environment.

What We Like
Nutritionally balanced diet
Enhances fish colors
Supports healthy growth
Prebiotics for digestion
Clear-water formula

TetraCichlid Cichlid Flakes

AQ-77007-11
TetraCichlid Cichlid Flakes Cover
TetraCichlid Cichlid Flakes 1.75 Pounds, Fish Food, Clear Water Advanced Form

Tetra Cichlid Flakes is a protein-rich fish food specially formulated for top- and mid-water-feeding cichlids. It provides a nutritionally balanced diet for optimal health, color, and vitality, supporting a long life for your fish. The ProCare formula helps support the fish's immune system, promoting their overall health and longevity. With the Clear-Water formula, you can enjoy clear and clean water in your aquarium as it will not cloud the water when used as directed. Additionally, the inclusion of Biotin in the flakes helps maintain a healthy metabolism for your fish. Tetra Cichlid Flakes is the perfect choice for cichlid owners looking to provide their fish with a high-quality and convenient feeding option.

What We Like
Protein-rich
Nutritionally balanced
Clear and clean water

Kaytee Koi's Choice Koi Floating Fish Food

100037020
Kaytee Koi's Choice Koi Floating Fish Food Cover
Kaytee Koi's Choice Koi Floating Fish Food, 10 Pound

Kaytee Koi's Choice Koi Floating Fish Food is a great choice for koi, goldfish, and other pond fish. This fish food floats, making it easy for fish to eat and for you to monitor how much food they consume. It provides necessary animal and vegetable proteins to keep your fish healthy and strong.

What We Like
Floats for easy feeding
Provides necessary animal and vegetable proteins
Great for koi, goldfish, and other pond fish
#TOP 8

TetraPond Koi Growth Fish Food

16489
TetraPond Koi Growth Fish Food Cover
TetraPond Koi Growth 4.85 Pounds, Soft Sticks, Pond Fish Food

TetraPond Koi Growth Fish Food is a scientifically formulated diet that contains essential amino acids to help younger koi and ornamental goldfish grow. Its high-protein formulation supports fish's immune system. The smaller, soft sticks are easy for fish to eat and digest, and feeding a high-quality, highly digestible food creates less waste for clearer water. It is recommended to feed daily when water temperatures are above 50 degrees.

What We Like
Scientifically formulated with essential amino acids for younger koi and ornamental goldfish growth
High-protein formulation supports fish's immune system
Smaller, soft sticks are easy for fish to eat and digest

Blue Ridge Fish Food Pellets

4346803424
5 Pound (Pack of 1)
Blue Ridge Fish Food Pellets Cover
Blue Ridge Koi Fish Food 5lb - Koi Food Mini Growth Formula Goldfish Food, Premium Fish Food for Ponds, Ponds Fish Food, Koi Food Fall and Winter Fish Food, Floating Pond Pellets Fish Food

Blue Ridge Fish Food Pellets, also known as Blue Ridge Fish Food, is a premium all-season floating pellet fish food made in the USA. It is the same high-quality diet used by leading American Koi breeders but at a fraction of the price. These floating pellets are easily digested, softening quickly to encourage healthy growth and preventing water pollution. Perfect for koi and goldfish up to 5 inches in size, this food provides a completely balanced nutritional diet that greatly enhances growth. Additionally, it contains a special blend of vitamins and minerals that promote resistance to stress and immunity to disease. With a 100% satisfaction guarantee, Blue Ridge Fish Food Pellets are made with strict guidelines and are sure to improve the quality of your fish or your money back!

What We Like
MADE IN THE USA
EASILY DIGESTED
BALANCED NUTRITIONAL DIET

Aqueon Shrimp Pellets Sinking Fish Food, 6.5 oz

100106189
Reds
Aqueon Shrimp Pellets Sinking Fish Food, 6.5 oz Cover
Aqueon Shrimp Pellets Sinking Food for Tropical Fish, Goldfish, Loaches, Catfish and Other Bottom Feeding Fish, 6.5 Ounces

The Aqueon Shrimp Pellets Sinking Fish Food is a nutritious and well-formulated food designed for bottom-dwelling fish like Cory Catfish, Catfish, Loaches and South American Cichlids. The pellets are approximately 9mm in diameter and will not cloud the water when fed as directed. The food ingredients are nutritious and naturally attract fish while the formulation ensures that fish utilize more of what they eat and create less waste. The food supports a healthy immune system, helps bring out the true colors of the fish and provides the essentials for proper growth and vitality.

What We Like
Nutritious and well-formulated
Does not cloud water when fed as directed
Supports healthy immune system, color, growth and vitality of fish
Buying Guide Image

Everything You Need to Know About Buying Fish Food for Your Pets

Ingredients

We recommend that you do not get carried away by the brands, since always when choosing a food, we must carefully analyze the components and nutrients that are detailed on the back of the package or boat. On the one hand, we have the ingredients (such as fish, vegetables, cereals, yeasts, oils and fats).

On the other hand, we also have to have analytical constituents and their percentages, such as protein, fat, fiber and ashes. Finally, you will find vitamins (A, D, C, and E), in addition to organoleptic additives, composed of a series of dyes. All these components are positive for your pet.

Lecithin

It is a compound found in fish feed. Lecithin is a generic word used to name a group of fats present in living things, both animal and vegetable. It is composed of phosphoric acid, choline, fatty acids, glycerol, phospholipids, triglycerides and Phosphatidic acid.

A balanced diet is given in a diet with the presence of lipids, especially in cold-water fish, since having a low temperature, animals require food that gives energy and can easily move through the aquarium. Lecithin is usually mixed with fish oil to coat the sticks.

Color enhancers

If you are one of those with a koi or goldfish carp, you will be interested in buying fish food with a color enhancer compound. There are some products that meet these characteristics, loaded with natural dyes such as astaxanthin (a very potent antioxidant for the skin and eyes). This food especially highlights the golden, orange and red colors.

Another benefit of these enhancers is the reinforcement of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and beta-glucans (help your pet to be calm), as they are two immune system stimulators. In addition to worrying about their appearance, you will also be taking care of their health. It can be a somewhat delicate balance to maintain, but it can certainly be achieved.

Fish type

The type of food will be adapted to the lifestyle of your pet. If you have a bottom fish, it makes no sense to provide food that floats on the surface. A very common mistake is to mistakenly think that the fish will go where the food is.

This is not always the case. Of course, we also recommend that you encourage your pet to strive for food, so they get motivation and exercise, in addition to increasing their brain functions by having to investigate to eat.

Residue

It is an important criterion because he thinks that if you choose a food that generates little residue you will have to clean the aquarium fewer times. It is pure logic, but many people often choose the first food for fish they see and do not realize they are investing in a quality product. Logically, the more quality, less waste.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What foods do fish eat?

Fish have a diverse diet that can include other fish, eggs, algae, plants, crustaceans, worms, mollusks, insects, insect larvae, amphibians, and plankton. The specific diet of a fish can vary depending on its species and environment.

2. What do you feed betta fish?

Betta fish can be fed with specialized betta pellets and flakes, which provide the necessary nutrients in the correct portions. As treats, betta fish can also enjoy freeze-dried and frozen foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms, which are high in protein.

3. What frozen food do fish eat?

For fish fry, baby brine shrimp is an excellent food choice to promote healthy growth and survival. Larger fish can be fed with frozen fish foods that contain bigger ingredients such as mysis shrimp, krill, and silversides.

4. How often should fish be fed?

Feeding fish once or twice a day is generally sufficient. Some fish owners even fast their fish one or two days a week to allow their digestive systems to clear. Larger and less active fish can go longer between meals compared to smaller and more active fish.

5. How long can fish go without food?

Most fish can go without food for three to five days, but it's not necessarily good for them. The duration can vary depending on factors such as the type of fish, the size of the tank, and the number of fish. In some cases, fish can survive for up to seven days without food, but it is not recommended.

6. What food can fish not eat?

Fish should not be fed fatty meat, bread, crackers, or dog food. These foods are not suitable for their dietary needs and can cause health issues.

7. What can I feed my betta if I ran out of food?

If you run out of betta fish food, you can feed them hardboiled egg yolks or earthworms found after a rainstorm. These options mimic the carnivorous diet of betta fish in their natural habitats.

8. How long can betta fish go without food?

Betta fish can survive without food for approximately 10 to 14 days. They have small stomachs and don't require large amounts of food to sustain themselves.

9. Can I put frozen fish food straight in the tank?

Frozen fish food should be fed directly to the fish in the tank. It can be targeted using a feeding tool or bulb syringe, or simply poured into the aquarium. However, it's important to only feed the amount that the fish can consume within 2 to 3 minutes and avoid overfeeding.

10. Can I feed my fish frozen food everyday?

Frozen fish food should be offered as a supplemental treat and not as the sole source of nutrition. It is recommended to feed most fish frozen foods only 2 to 3 times per week, as they are less nutritionally complete compared to dry foods.

Editor's Notes

During our fish food research, we found 24 fish food products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 309,763 customer reviews through our big data system to write the fish food list. We found that most customers choose fish food with an average price of $18.80.

The fish food are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of fish food, including Tetra, Kaytee, Blue Ridge Fish Hatchery, Aqueon. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Janie Foster Avatar

Janie Foster is a writer & pet blogger from Los Angeles, she enjoys living with her two cats and three dogs. She owned her first dog 10 years ago and then started her personal blog to record her dog's daily life. Throughout her personal life, she has developed specialized knowledge in pet care, pet nutrition, feeding habits, and more.