Quick Answers
If you run out of fish food, there are several household items and foods you can use as temporary replacements:
– Cooked, peeled peas or boiled vegetables like zucchini or spinach
– Small pieces of fruit like oranges, apples or berries
– Cooked egg yolk
– Lettuce or other greens
– Oatmeal or bland whole grains
– Unsalted nuts or seeds
– Shrimp, tuna or other unseasoned seafood
– Hard boiled egg whites
– Daphnia, brine shrimp or other live foods
The key is to avoid anything heavily processed, salty or sugary. Stick to natural, mild foods your fish can easily digest. Only feed a small amount at a time and remove any leftovers to keep the water clean. Get more proper fish food as soon as possible.
Can I Feed My Fish Table Scraps?
It’s generally not a good idea to feed fish leftovers or table scraps as their main diet. Human food often contains too much fat, seasoning or other ingredients that can harm fish.
However, in an emergency situation where you’ve run out of fish food, certain unseasoned, natural scraps can work as a temporary solution. Focus on mild fruits, vegetables, grains and lean proteins.
Some safe options include:
Fruits and Vegetables
– Diced melons like honeydew or cantaloupe
– Berries like blueberries or strawberries
– Peeled, seeded cucumbers
– Spinach, kale or other greens
– Shelled peas
– Zucchini or other summer squash
– Sweet potatoes or yams
– Apples without seeds
– Oranges or tangerines without rind
Remove any pits, seeds, rinds or inedible skins. Chop produce into small pieces before feeding to prevent choking hazards. Only provide a little bit at a time.
Grains
– Cooked rice, quinoa, oats or barley
– Bits of untoasted bread or crackers
– Small amounts of cooked pasta
Stick to bland, whole grain options. Avoid anything heavily processed or seasoned. Break down into tiny pieces before feeding.
Proteins
– Chopped hard boiled or scrambled egg whites
– Flakes of plain cooked chicken, turkey or fish
– Canned tuna or salmon packed in water (rinsed)
– Unsalted nuts like almonds or walnuts
Avoid fatty meats and heavily seasoned proteins. Remove any bones or shells first. Only provide tiny portions.
In general, table scraps should only be fed occasionally and in very small amounts. Get high quality fish food as soon as possible for a balanced diet. Monitor your tank closely when feeding scraps to watch for any issues.
Fruits and Vegetables Safe for Fish
If you’ve run out of fish food, certain fruits and vegetables can serve as temporary nutrition in a pinch. Some good options include:
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like lettuce, spinach and kale provide fiber. Chop into small bits before feeding. Romaine and butter lettuce work well. Avoid iceberg lettuce since it’s low in nutrients.
Shelled Peas
Both fresh and frozen peas are safe for many fish. Thaw frozen peas first. Remove the shells and chop before feeding. Peas provide protein and fiber.
Zucchini
Zucchini is a mild summer squash that can be fed raw or cooked. Remove the skin and seeds first. Chop, slice or grate into tiny pieces for your fish.
Sweet Potatoes
Cook sweet potatoes until soft, then peel and mash. The orange flesh provides beneficial beta carotene. Feed just a little at a time.
Berries
Blueberries, raspberries and strawberries provide antioxidants. Remove any stems or leaves before feeding. Only give a few small pieces per feeding.
Melons
Cantaloupe, honeydew and watermelon are healthy treats. Scoop out the flesh and discard the rind and seeds first. Chop the melon into bite-size portions.
Always wash produce before preparing it. Introduce new fruits and veggies slowly and watch for any signs of digestive issues.
Cooked Foods Safe for Fish
In addition to raw fruits and vegetables, you can also feed your fish small amounts of certain cooked foods when fish food runs out. Some healthy options include:
Hard Boiled Egg Whites
The egg whites from hard boiled eggs provide lean protein. Chop the cooked whites into tiny morsels before feeding. Avoid the fatty egg yolks.
Oatmeal
Plain oatmeal that’s fully cooked and cooled can temporarily replace fish flakes. Avoid any sugar or flavorings.
Rice
Cooked white or brown rice can serve as an alternative carbohydrate source. Rinse first to remove excess starch.
Vegetables
Many vegetables become safer and easier to digest after cooking. Try boiled, steamed or roasted carrot, broccoli, cauliflower or shelled peas.
Whole Grains
Small amounts of cooked barley, quinoa or buckwheat work as temporary fillers. Rinse first and stick to plain varieties.
Introduce new cooked foods slowly to avoid shocking your fish’s digestive system. Never feed hot foods directly from the stove or microwave.
Protein Foods to Feed Fish in a Pinch
If you need an emergency protein source for your fish, here are some healthy unseasoned animal proteins you can use:
| Food | Preparation |
|---|---|
| Shrimp | Chop into tiny pieces. Remove shell/tail first. |
| Crab | Flake a small amount of cooked meat. |
| Tuna | Rinse canned tuna packed in water. Shred before feeding. |
| Salmon | Cook until flaky. Remove all bones and skin. |
| Chicken | Shred or finely chop cooked, unseasoned meat. |
| Egg Yolk | Hard boil eggs. Removed cooked yolk and mash. |
| Daphnia | Rinse live daphnia before feeding. |
| Brine Shrimp | Rinse live brine shrimp before feeding. |
Lean seafood and egg whites tend to be safest. Only feed very small portions at a time. Avoid fatty proteins like beef or pork. Get high quality fish food again as soon as you can.
Vegetables to Avoid Feeding Fish
While many fruits and vegetables make good temporary fish food, there are also some you should avoid feeding, including:
Onions
All parts of onions are toxic to fish due to disulfides and phenols they contain. Avoid onions, leeks, shallots and chives.
Avocados
Avocado flesh, skin and pit contain persin, which can damage fish tissues, particularly the heart. Do not feed any part of an avocado.
Raw Potatoes
Raw potato contains solanine, a toxin that can harm fish. Cooked, peeled potato is safer in small amounts.
Corn
Raw or cooked corn is difficult for most fish to digest due to complex sugars and cellulose. Avoid feeding kernels.
Citrus Fruits
While citrus flesh is safe for some fish, juices can make the water too acidic. Remove peel and seeds before feeding orange or grapefruit.
Cherry Pits
Cherry flesh can be fed to larger fish, but pits contain cyanide and should be removed completely.
Rhubarb Leaves
Rhubarb stalks are okay in small amounts, but the leaves contain oxalic acid and are toxic, even after cooking.
When in doubt, avoid feeding questionable produce. Stick to mild fruits and veggies known to be safe.
Grains and Starches Safe for Fish
If you need a fish-safe filler food, here are some bland grains and starches you can use:
Oats
Cook plain oatmeal until soft, let cool completely, and feed small amounts. Avoid any sugar or flavorings.
Rice
White or brown rice works after being cooked thoroughly and cooled. Rinse first to remove extra starch.
Quinoa
This complete protein grain becomes safe for fish after being boiled. Rinse quinoa first to get rid of saponins.
Bread
Tiny amounts of plain bread or cracker crumbs can be fed in a pinch. Avoid seasoned croutons or biscuits.
Pasta
Bits of plain pasta work for larger fish. Avoid spinach or tomato varieties. Rinse cooked pasta before feeding.
Potatoes
Potatoes should be scrubbed, cooked, peeled and mashed. Allow to cool before feeding.
Introduce new starches gradually and in very small portions. Remove any uneaten food to avoid fouling the water.
Live Foods to Use as Fish Food
Using live foods to feed fish has benefits over dried foods. Some good live food options include:
Mosquito Larvae
Mosquito larvae (wrigglers) provide protein and are easy for most fish to catch and eat. Rinse them from standing water before feeding.
Brine Shrimp
Newly hatched brine shrimp are nutritious for small fish. Rinse brine shrimp from their hatchery water before adding to your tank.
Daphnia
Daphnia (water fleas) are tiny crustaceans rich in nutrients. They should be rinsed and sorted before feeding to remove dead ones.
Blackworms
Blackworms are small, dark worms that many fish eagerly accept. Rinse them and sort out any dead worms first.
Grindal Worms
These tiny red worms are suitable for feeding small fish like bettas or guppies. Rinse off culture bedding before feeding.
Live foods allow fish to exhibit natural hunting behaviors. Use them as treats or to supplement meals. Combining multiple live foods helps provide balanced nutrition.
Conclusion
If you ever unexpectedly run out of fish food, don’t panic. There are many common household foods you can use in a pinch to feed hungry fish. Stick to mild fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. Cooked egg whites, shelled peas, oatmeal and shrimp make good alternatives. Avoid anything too rich, salty, sugary or seasoned.
Remember to only feed small portions at a time and remove any leftovers from the tank to prevent fouling the water. Get high quality fish food again as soon as possible for a balanced, nutritious diet. Live foods like brine shrimp or daphnia also make excellent temporary options to feed your fish.