Feeding timings

If many fish feed on an almost continuous basis in the wild, why should pond fish be fed only at intervals?

Naturally-occuring foods - even nutritious ones - contain large amounts of water (up to 90% by weight). In contrast, commercial foods like flakes, pellets, granules and sticks contain very little water (sometimes as little as 5%). This makes their nutrient-to-weight ratio much higher than that of naturally-occuring foods. As a result, a small amount of good-quality commercial food has the same nutritional value as a much higher weight of natural food, particularly if the latter is of plant origin.

How should fish be fed during family vacations?

If it is a matter if only 2-3weeks, and the fish have been well fed previously, no special arrangements are needed. Well fed fish build up fat reserves which, added to the natural animal and plant foods in ponds, will see them through several weeks without hardship.

For longer breaks, automatic feeders and "vacation blocks" may be used.