Best Fish Food for Catfish of 2026

Janie Foster Avatar
Janie Foster
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2026

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When it comes to feeding catfish, it's important to choose a high-quality fish food that meets their nutritional needs. One popular option is sinking pellets, which are designed to sink to the bottom of the tank where catfish prefer to feed. These pellets are often made with a mix of protein sources, such as fish meal, shrimp meal, and soybean meal, and may also contain vitamins and minerals to support overall health. Another option is freeze-dried or frozen foods, such as bloodworms, brine shrimp, and krill, which can provide variety and added nutrition to a catfish's diet. Whatever type of fish food you choose, be sure to read the label carefully and follow feeding instructions to ensure your catfish stays healthy and happy.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Aqueon Shrimp Pellets Sinking Fish Food, 6.5 oz Cover #TOP 1
Aqueon Shrimp Pellets Sinking Fish Food, 6.5 oz
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Ultra Fresh Bottom Feeder Fish Food Cover #TOP 2
Ultra Fresh Bottom Feeder Fish Food
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Tetra ShrimpWafers Fish Food Cover #TOP 3
Tetra ShrimpWafers Fish Food
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Fish Food for Catfish

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
#TOP 2

Ultra Fresh Bottom Feeder Fish Food

Ultra Fresh Bottom Feeder Fish Food Cover
Ultra Fresh Bottom Feeder Fish Food, Sword Prawns, Natural Protein, Balanced Diet, for Catfish, Corydoras, Loaches, Tropical Shrimp Pie 2.05 Ounces

Ultra Fresh Fish Food is a high-quality and nutritious option for bottom feeding fish such as catfish, corydoras, and loaches. Its high palatability, with the delicious sword prawn flavor, ensures even the pickiest eaters will be enticed. The food is made from carefully selected ingredients, with no additives or harmful substances. It is rich in protein and vitamin D, promoting healthy growth and vibrant colors in the fish. The addition of probiotics improves the fish's immune system and gut health. With the ability to easily stick to the glass, this food can be used as a supplement to the fish's regular diet. It also helps keep the water clean, thanks to the inclusion of probiotics that aid in dissolving fish excrements and residuals.

What We Like
High Palatability
Superior Quality Ingredient
Healthy Growth Formula

Tetra ShrimpWafers Fish Food

AQ-77024
Blue
3 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Tetra ShrimpWafers Fish Food Cover
Tetra ShrimpWafers Complete Diet for Catfish and Loaches 3 Ounce

Tetra ShrimpWafers Fish Food is a complete diet formulated for Catfish and Loaches. The food is enriched with shrimp protein, making it ideal for fish that love shrimp protein. The sinking food is perfect for bottom feeders and is nutritionally balanced with a stabilized vitamin source and guaranteed nutrient percentages. The clear water formula keeps the tank clean, and the supplemental use allows you to feed other fish every few days, only what they can consume within a few hours.

What We Like
Enriched with shrimp protein
Sinking food ideal for bottom feeders
Nutritionally balanced with stabilized vitamin source and guaranteed nutrient percentages
#TOP 4

Hikari Tropical Sinking Wafers for Bottom Feeders

42055215213
Hikari Tropical Sinking Wafers for Bottom Feeders Cover
Hikari Tropical Sinking Wafers for Catfish, Loaches and Bottom Feeders 3.88 oz

Hikari Tropical Sinking Wafers is a scientifically proven fish food that meets the dietary needs of bottom feeders such as corydoras catfish and loaches. It contains high levels of vegetable matter, nutritious spirulina, silkworm, and krill. The unique disc shape and small wafer size makes it easier for a wider variety of bottom feeders to eat, and it is fortified with vitamin C and other essential vitamins and minerals. The wafers are easily swallowable by larger fish and soften gradually for smaller fish to eat with ease. With extreme digestibility, it reduces the chances of water clouding.

What We Like
Scientifically proven to meet the dietary needs of bottom feeders
High levels of vegetable matter and nutritious ingredients
Easy to eat for a wider variety of bottom feeders
#TOP 5

Aqueon Shrimp Pellets Sinking Food, 3.25 oz

100106188
Aqueon Shrimp Pellets Sinking Food, 3.25 oz Cover
Aqueon Shrimp Pellets Sinking Food for Tropical Fish, Goldfish, Loaches, Catfish and Other Bottom Feeding Fish, 3.25 oz

Aqueon Shrimp Pellets are specially formulated sinking food for bottom dwelling fish. Made with nutritious ingredients that fish are naturally attracted to, these pellets are designed to be easily utilized by fish, resulting in less waste. The food supports a healthy immune system, enhances the vibrant colors of the fish, and provides the essential nutrients for proper growth and vitality. Additionally, when fed as directed, these pellets will not cloud the water, ensuring a clean and clear environment for your fish. Ideal for species like Cory Catfish, Catfish, Loaches, and South American Cichlids, these pellets are approximately 9mm in diameter.

What We Like
Nutritious ingredients
Less waste
Supports healthy immune system
#TOP 6

Sportsmans Choice Catfish Feed

Southern States
Sportsmans Choice Catfish Feed Cover
Nature's Canvas Catfish Feed Big Strike 32% Protein Floating Fish Food 40 Pounds

This highly palatable catfish feed contains 32% high-quality protein with balanced amino acids to support lean growth. It is designed for optimal health and growth of fish and fortified with stabilized vitamins (high levels of vitamin C, E, D and B complex) to ensure fish are receiving the correct nutrient balance to support rapid growth. The special formula enhances digestibility and nutrient absorption, providing maximum intake and viewing.

What We Like
Highly palatable
Optimizes health and growth of fish
Fortified with stabilized vitamins
Enhances digestibility and nutrient absorption
#TOP 7

Ken's Fish & Pet Premium Catfish Pellets 4.75 lb

Ken's Fish & Pet Premium Catfish Pellets 4.75 lb Cover
Premium Catfish Pellets 4.75 lb. Jar

Ken's Premium Catfish Pellets offer a highly digestible diet that helps your fish absorb nutrients efficiently, reducing waste in your aquarium. The pellets are designed to be very appealing, making feeding time easier as your fish will readily eat them. They include Vpak, a natural supplement that boosts your fish’s overall health and strengthens their resistance to diseases, giving you peace of mind. Additionally, these pellets contain marine proteins that support better digestion and cleaner water. This all-purpose tropical fish food is a convenient choice for keeping your catfish healthy and happy.

What We Like
Highly digestible formula
Natural health supplement (Vpak)
Marine protein content
Great attractability
#TOP 8

Ultra Fresh Bottom Feeder Fish Food

Ultra Fresh Bottom Feeder Fish Food Cover
Ultra Fresh Bottom Feeder Fish Food, Sword Prawns, Natural Protein, Balanced Diet, for Catfish, Corydoras, Loaches, Tropical Shrimp Pie 4.94 Ounces

Ultra Fresh Fish Food is designed to cater to the dietary needs of bottom-feeding fish. With a delicious sword prawn flavor, it features a balanced mix of meat and vegetables that even picky eaters will love. The high-quality ingredients ensure your fish receive all-natural nutrition without harmful additives. This food is packed with essential vitamins, promoting healthy growth and vibrant colors. Plus, the probiotics included help maintain water clarity by breaking down waste, making your tank cleaner and healthier for your aquatic pets.

What We Like
High palatability for fish
Natural, quality ingredients
Supports healthy growth
Probiotics keep water clean
#TOP 9

Tetra GloFish Wafers for Bottom-Feeders

AQ-78443
Multi
Tetra GloFish Wafers for Bottom-Feeders Cover
Tetra GloFish Wafers for Sharks and Cory Catfish, 1.58 Oz., Bottom-Feeding Fish Food

Tetra GloFish Wafers provide a balanced diet for your bottom-feeding fish, ensuring they receive all the nutrients they need. These wafers are packed with shrimp proteins, which support healthy growth and vitality in your GloFish Sharks and GloFish Cory Catfish. Designed specifically for bottom feeders, these wafers sink quickly, making it easy for your fish to find and eat them. You can feed them once or twice daily, giving you control over their diet while preventing overfeeding. This convenience helps maintain a healthy aquarium environment for your aquatic pets.

What We Like
Nutritionally complete diet
Contains shrimp proteins
Optimized for bottom feeders
Easy daily feeding
#TOP 10

Purina AquaMax Pond Fish Food 2000

Purina
0001469
Purina AquaMax Pond Fish Food 2000 Cover
Purina AquaMax Pond Fish 2000 | Floating Pond Fish Food for Ponds and Lakes | Bluegill Fish Food, Game Fish Food, Catfish, Koi & Bass Food, 50 Pound (50 LB) Bag

Purina AquaMax Pond Food is a great choice for feeding various pond fish like bluegill, catfish, and bass. Its floating design makes it simple for you to control feeding times and avoid overfeeding, which helps keep your pond clean. With 32% protein, this food supports healthy muscle growth in your fish without adding too much fat. The pellets are sized just right for common game fish, making it easier for your fish to eat and for you to manage their diet effectively.

What We Like
Floating pellets
High protein content
Balanced nutrition
Ideal pellet size
Reduces overfeeding
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What food do catfish eat?

They'll eat fish, snails, clams, and mollusks. They will even eat small mammals if they can get a hold of them. Some people have even seen channel catfish pluck birds off the surface of the water. Channel cats don't care if their food is alive or dead.

Editor's Notes

During our fish food for catfish research, we found 24 fish food for catfish products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 107,056 customer reviews through our big data system to write the fish food for catfish list. We found that most customers choose fish food for catfish with an average price of $10.46.

The fish food for catfish are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of fish food for catfish, including Aqueon, Ultra Fresh, Tetra, Hikari, Southern States. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 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.