Dry and Freeze-dried Foods
Dry flakes are among the most commonly used foods by aquarists, especially for freshwater fish. A good deal of research has gone into the preparation of these and other similar foods such as various granules and pellets. The flakes, pellets, and disks come in a wide variety of sizes and so are suitable for animals ranging in size from tiny fry to large fish. Some brands of these may provide complete diets for certain fish species and may even support captive reproduction. Remember also to investigate chows and pelleted foods prepared for commercially important fish such as trout and catfish. These, too, are available in a wide variety of sizes and in floating and sinking forms.
If you base your pets' diets on commercially manufactured flakes, pellets and other such foods, be sure to feed them a variety of formulas and to use products from several manufacturers. In this way you are more likely to provide a balanced diet for your animals.
Freeze-dried foods are available in nearly as great a variety as frozen food items. All manner of small creatures such as fish, shrimp, worms, and even crickets are now available in freeze-dried form. One advantage of freeze-dried foods is that they can be stuck to the aquarium glass at various levels within the tank. By attaching the food to the glass at the level or location favored by each animal, you can cater to the specific feeding habits of your pets. The use of freeze-dried items also allows you to tuck food items into caves and under rocks, where it might be more readily accessible to shy or nocturnal species. As has been mentioned concerning frozen foods, be aware that the process of freeze-drying may remove certain important vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Therefore, it is a good idea to occasionally soak freeze-dried food items in a liquid vitamin/mineral preparation.
