Getting a pet is like welcoming a new family member into the mix. Whether a pet requires more attention or if a human does, that is something left to be seen. But the amount of love and affection that you shower on your pet, irrespective of what kind of pet you have, is immeasurable.
Part of being a pet owner is to cater to all their needs and wants, and so if you’re looking to get pet fish, you will be glad to know that fish are perhaps one of the most low-maintenance pets that there are! Keeping fish as pets is a great thing for a family to take on as a whole unit. Looking after the fish, maintaining their aquarium all require responsibility and the simple act of watching the fish swim around leisurely is a peaceful experience in itself.
However, just because fish are low maintenance doesn’t mean they don’t have their own set of requirements, especially when it comes to food.
What do fish eat?
Fish are predominantly carnivores, which means they need meat proteins to be a part of their diet. However, some fish are also herbivores, and so they feed on plants such as seaweed. It is an either-or situation when it comes to fish; there is no in-between, which means there are no omnivorous fish.
Fish eat various things, including insects and other fish, and surprisingly enough, certain fruits and vegetables even. Fish also eat commercially available dry foods and supplements, which are easily found in your local pet store.
Let’s talk about particular food concerning fish and to be more precise, let’s talk about corn and if fish like eating them and if we should offer corn to our pet fish.
Can fish eat corn?
You’ll be surprised to learn that fish enjoy corn. Corn is often used as bait by fishermen since fish are so readily attracted to this food. The yellow color especially attracts fish to corn. However, just because fish are attracted to corn doesn’t necessarily mean it should be fed to them.
The good news is that corn is not toxic for your pet fish. They can even digest corn kernels. However, having said that, corn should only be given to fish on a rare occurrence as a treat. This is because while fish can digest corn, it is difficult for them to do so.
Too much corn as a part of a fish’s diet has also been shown to be of adverse health effects. Eating too much can stunt their growth. While it won’t affect them if fed and won’t require a visit to the vet, if fed for a prolonged period, it will take its toll on their health eventually.
If you are planning on feeding your fish corn, you should make sure to cook it to make it soft enough for your fish to eat without any problem.
Can we feed fish corn with meat?
While we have established that corn is safe for fish (as it is for humans), we must warn you that not all human food is safe for fish. There are certain foods that you should avoid feeding your fish if you want them to live a healthy life.
Unfortunately, including proteins or meat in your fish’s diet is not recommended and should be avoided altogether. Protein meats such as ground beef, chicken, and pork will only lead to a fat buildup, especially around their heart, if included in your fish’s diet. This will decrease the quality of their life and even shorten them. Corn, although safe to feed your fish, added with meat is a deadly combination to offer.
Safe Treats:
Don’t be discouraged from keeping fish as a pet, especially if you feel that there are too many restrictions when it comes to their food. Some foods are safe but should only be fed on occasion, such as corn, and then some foods should be avoided altogether, like meat. But in the midst are what are considered to be safe foods that can be fed to your fish and are often preferred over other foods. However, if there is one thing that you need to know before feeding your fish is to know whether they are herbivores or carnivores. This will make mealtimes so much easier.
- Live Feed: Some fishes only eat live food, so it is important to include them in your fish’s diet. Live feed is a daily snack to give to your fish. These include blood worms and krill.
- Fruits and vegetables such as lettuce, peas, zucchini, and spinach are all great snacks to give to your fish. Fruits that you can offer your fish include apples and pears. This food group is rich in all the essential vitamins and minerals for your fish to strive for.
- Dry food is the most sought-after food to offer to your fish and is easily available in pet stores. It can be given to your fish in the form of pellets, sticks, or flakes. High fiber dry food is the most recommended as it is also rich in vitamins, and together these elements prevent your fish from getting bloated or developing bladder disorders.
- You can also freeze all the above-mentioned foods and defrost them at your convenience and give them to your fish.
Conclusion:
Yes, you can feed your fish corn on occasion; however, only in small amounts. Too much corn can cause them health issues, which can otherwise easily be avoided. There are a lot of other safe and healthy fish food options to choose from without having to worry about possible health risks. Corn does have its fair share of benefits but also has unnecessary risks attached to it. And just because your fish seems attracted to a certain food doesn’t mean you should feed it to them.