Both amateur aquarists and those who already know a lot about aquatic animals may have some questions about raising these pets. That’s why today’s article explains whether fish can eat bananas ! Do you want to know how food affects water quality and the health of swimmers?
Fish farming has grown in recent years in Brazil, whether for consumption or for aquariums. So, if you are an aquatic enthusiast, come and find out if fish can eat bananas!
Can fish eat banana?
Yes! Fish can eat bananas, there is no impediment to this. What worries aquarists the most, in fact, is whether the fruit can “spoil” the water, altering its parameters. This concern is not without reason!
Any organic matter that is added to the aquarium water can rot and, as a result, change the quality of the aquatic environment. Therefore, even though you know that fish can eat bananas, you need to follow some rules when offering the fruit to your fish so that they don’t get sick.
How to give banana to fish?
You can give your aquarium fish bananas in pieces, with or without the peel. You can also give them just the peel, without the fruit, since it contains a certain amount of pulp.
Regardless of the form, it is worth paying attention to the quantity. The fish should eat the entire portion within 15 minutes, so that the pieces of fruit do not spoil the water.
Also, if you simply throw the banana pieces into the aquarium, they will sink to the bottom. However, not all fish like to eat this part of their habitat. So, make a hook with some material that won’t hurt the animals and attach the piece of fruit or peel.
As soon as the swimmers abandon the treat, remove it from the water and throw away what’s left — don’t reuse it. If you notice that the animals aren’t interested in the treat, don’t insist. For example, Betta fish can eat bananas and love them! However, since the fruit is not part of the swimmers’ natural diet, some may not like it.
How to diversify the fish diet?
So, what should you feed your fish ? Remember that fish food is complete and balanced! This food, developed specifically for the species, provides all the nutrients for the animal.
However, if you still want to give your swimmers other things to eat, consider whether they are carnivores, herbivores or omnivores and the depth at which they like to eat.
Some breeders recommend cucumber or zucchini for herbivorous fish and small crustaceans, such as brine shrimp and daphnia, or insect larvae, such as mealworms, for carnivores.
As for natural sweets, do you know which fish eat fruit ? The Betta is one of them! This beautiful little fish likes bananas and other options. These can be great snacks for him.
Besides bananas, what other fruits can fish eat ? There is no prohibition on them. You can offer the softest and easiest to eat fruits, such as papaya, mango, avocado and strawberry.
How many times a day can you feed fish?
Each species of fish has different eating habits. That’s why it’s so important to read about the animals you want to put in your aquarium! They need to be compatible for a harmonious coexistence.
It is ideal to know which species have similar eating habits. This makes it easier not only to feed them, but also to maintain the water parameters, as it avoids leftover food. As a general rule, it is possible to assume that fish eat at least twice a day.
How to set the amount of food?
There is also no single answer to the amount of food for your fish! You need to take into account the number of fish in the aquarium and how they feed.
The general rule is to observe. First, put out a portion that you think is adequate and observe how long it takes the fish to eat. Ideally, around 5 minutes. If they take longer than that, or if there is too much food left after that time, reduce the amount next time.
Cloudy water: what to do?
It is very common for beginner aquarists to overfeed their fish, either out of excitement or lack of knowledge. If you have added too many pieces of banana to the tank, you may have noticed that the water in the aquarium has become cloudy . When this happens, the swimmers can get sick, so you need to act quickly.
First, perform a partial water change in the aquarium. You will need a hose long enough to reach the disposal site (this can be a bucket, depending on the amount of water). Ideally, you should remove 20% to 30% of the liquid.
Replace the amount removed with clean, fresh water. In this case, the clean water is dechlorinated! To do this, use dechlorinating products for fish water or let the liquid rest for two to three days before adding it to the aquarium.