What do Glofish eat is a question we are asked from time to time. Maybe it’s because they are so colorful people think they must eat something different from your normal tropical fish.
But do they?
This got me thinking and I thought we could clear up a few myths and questions about feeding Glofish.
What do Glofish eat? GloFish which are fluorescent in color, are the same as their non-fluorescent counterparts and should be fed a balanced diet of live foods such as bloodworms and brine shrimp. Special Glofish flake food can be used which will enhance their colors even more but must be used as part of a balanced diet.
Here’s a list of suitable foods for Glofish
- Bloodworms
- Brine Shrimp
- Flake Food
- Sinking Pellets
- Algae Tablets
- Live Daphnia
- Mysis Shrimp
- Vegi Matter
- Frozen Foods
- Finely Chopped Meaty Foods
Want to know which food we feed our Glofish eat?
Click this link ? to see which food we feed all our Glofish.
Do Glofish need special foods?
Fish keepers new to the hobby are often misled by inexperienced aquarists or poorly trained pet store employees about the types of foods that people feed to their Glofish.
Their color is produced by an inherited fluorescent protein gene that is passed from generation to generation. Glofish were bred to help control and maintain pollution levels in rivers and waterways in third world countries.
They soon became increasingly popular because the general public wanted to keep them in home aquariums. When they were released for sale almost two decades ago they took the world by storm.
Did you know: There are more than 180 species of fish that are naturally fluorescent in the wild.
Fluorescent fish have been particularly helpful in understanding cellular disease and development, as well as cancer and gene therapy. Scientists use them to help cure health problems and develop drugs to help mankind.
These fish are not only beautiful they are lifesavers!
Before you ask, Glofish are not dyed or injected. Their color in hereditary.
Can Glofish eat regular Flake Fish Food?
Like most tropical fish, Glofish can and will eat flake food. Depending on the mix of fish you have in your aquarium will depend on how much flake food your Glofish receives.
If you have a large selection of fast-moving, top and mid-level swimmers like Tiger Barbs you’ll need to ensure your Glofish get their fair share of flake food.
We highly recommend you feed your fish a flake food as the staple part of their diet. We like Glofish Special Color Flake Food. Some of the benefits of this food are listed below:
- Proprietary formula
- Maximizes brightness
- Optimized for GloFish fluorescent fish and other tropical fish
- Colorful 4 flake blend
- Customized amino acids make GloFish brighter
Never over feed your Glofish
Glofish are no different from the rest of your tropical fish when it comes to the amount of food that they eat.
The key to feeding any tropical fish is not to overfeed them. If you overfeed your fish, you should conduct a partial water change as soon as possible.
Ensuring you have the correct filter for the size of your aquarium is vital. Read our guide: best filter for a small aquarium or best filters for larger aquariums.
These will help you keep your aquarium clean. But don’t forget even a filter will not eradicate the need for water changes.
How often should you feed Glofish?
Glofish should be treated no differently to all the other fish in your aquarium. They will need the same types of food at the same time as others.
Below is a simple feeding guide for Glofish:
| Food | How Often | How Much |
|---|---|---|
| Flake Food | 3 Times a day | Enough to consume in 90 Seconds |
| Pellets | 3 Times a week | 1-2 Mini Pellets Per Fish |
| Bloodworms - live | 2 Times a week | 1/4 Teaspoon of worms per fish |
| Bloodworm - Freeze Dried | 2 Times a week | Small Pinch |
| Algae Wafers / tablets | 2 Times a week | 1 Tablet or wafer per 10 fish |
| Brine Shrimp - Live | Once a week | 1-2 Brine shrimp per fish |
| Other supplement foods or Vegatables | 2 Times per week | Enough to consume in 90 Seconds |
Which food do we recommend for Glofish?
As previously mentioned, we feed our Glofish the same types of food that we do for all our fish. So, I have listed some of them below. We have selected these foods as part of a staple and varied fish diet through years of trying and testing many types of foods.
The foods below are tried and tested over many years and will provide your fish, including your lovely Glofish, with all the nutrients they need.
GloFish Special Flake Dry Fish Food for Brightness, 1.6 oz - 77003
$4.19 in stock
Features
- Proprietary formula
- Maximizes brightness
- Optimized for GloFish fluorescent fish and other tropical fish
- Colorful 4 flake blend
- Customized amino acids make GloFish brighter
OMEGA One Freeze Dried Brine Shrimp 1.28oz
Features
- NUTRITIOUS TREAT: Freeze-Dried Brine Shrimp are an excellent high-protein treat for all freshwater and saltwater fish
- HIGH QUALITY INGREDIENTS: Made with the highest quality brine shrimp available, this product is rich in vitamins and minerals
- SAFE ALTERNATIVE: Freeze-dried brine shrimp are just as nutritious as live food, without the risk of bacteria or parasites
- INSTRUCTIONS: Feed as a part of a varied diet, which should include at least one Omega One staple food. Feed daily, using only as much food as fish can consume in two minutes
- GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Min Crude Protein 48% / Min Crude Fat 6% / Max Crude Fiber 2.5% / Max Moisture 5%
OMEGA One Freeze Dried Bloodworm .96oz, Yellow
Features
- NUTRITIOUS TREAT: Omega One Freeze-Dried Blood Worms are an excellent high-protein treat for all freshwater and saltwater fish
- HIGH QUALITY INGREDIENTS: These full-bodied, authentic bloodworms are rich in vitamins and minerals
- SAFE ALTERNATIVE: Freeze-dried bloodworms are just as nutritious as live food, without the risk of bacteria or parasites
- INSTRUCTIONS: Feed as a part of a varied diet, which should include at least one Omega One staple food. Feed daily, using only as much food as fish can consume in two minutes
- GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Min Crude Protein 55% / Min Crude Fat 3% / Max Crude Fiber 5% / Max Moisture 5%
OMEGA One Color Mini Pellet 3.5oz
Features
- COLOR-BOOSTING NUTRITION: Super Color Mini Pellets produce significant color enhancement thanks to elevated levels of beta carotenes in salmon skin. They are also rich in Omega 3 & 6 HUFA's to support strong immune systems in freshwater and saltwater fish
- KEEP A CLEANER TANK: Our Super Color Mini Pellets are naturally insoluble, which reduces water pollution, and they have significantly less starch, which reduces fish waste
- SUPERIOR QUALITY: No meals, hydrolysates, digests, or any other pre-processed protein
- INSTRUCTIONS: Feed 1-3 times daily, using only as much food as fish can consume in two minutes
- GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Min Crude Protein 42% / Min Crude Fat 11% / Max Crude Fiber 2% / Max Moisture 8.5% / Max Ash 8%
Conclusion: What Do Glofish Eat?
Glofish are amazing fish and come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They will eat just about any type of freshwater fish food. Don’t rely on one type of fish flake to give them all the nutrients and vitamins they need to thrive in a home aquarium
As responsible fish keepers, we have a duty to feed our fish the correct food source which is healthy, fresh and contains the correct vitamins and minerals.
Imagine eating just one type of food for the rest of your life like Lettuce! Boring right and not very healthy. Well, It’s the same for your fish.
I have been working in the tropical fish industry for over 30 years now and I’m still learning. Everyday is a school day in this hobby. In my spare time I play golf very badly!