Finding the right food for your fish can be challenging, and whether you are new to the hobby or a seasoned enthusiast, we want to help you make the most informed decision. At Hikari®, we understand the difference a premium and rigorously tested diet makes in the health, activity level and appearance of your fish. As the originator of the Species Specific™ dietary approach, our foods are scientifically balanced to ensure the needs of your unique species is met.

If you have just added a new fish to your aquarium, are looking to switch dietary options, or just want to stay up to date with the ideas to best meet the needs of your aquatics animals, here are some answers to our frequently asked questions.

How Long Does Pellet Food Last?

If you are investing in the premium aquatic diets Hikari® offers, you will want to make sure the food you have invested in stays fresh and usable for as long as possible. When kept in a cool place that is away from direct sunlight and extreme temperature or moisture, you can use our pelleted products until the date on the package. For best results, however, consider using any food within 90 days of opening the package and always keep it in a sealed container.

What Are the Differences Between Pellet, Flake and Sinking Food Options?

Two of the most common types of fish foods on the market are pellets and flake. While both can be a good choice, the benefits of pellet food often outweigh those of flake. Our pelleted diets are compact and designed to provide the most nutrition in the least amount of space. Pelleted food is also more visible, allowing a fish keeper a better sense of how much food is being eaten during the feeding period, significantly cutting down on wasted food. While flakes historically have been a staple option for aquarium owners, pelleted food can help eliminate over-feeding and thereby prevent water or bacterial issues caused by an overabundance of uneaten food in the water column.

One of the main disadvantages of typical flake or floating pellet diets is that top or middle feeders tend to eat most of the food, often leaving bottom-feeding pets little to devour. We offer uniquely shaped, rapidly sinking pellets to remedy this issue – our pellets maintain their shape longer than competitive products ensuring your bottom-feeding fish have ample time to graze.

What About Frozen Food?

Frozen foods can be a great addition to your fish’s feeding plan to provide a “closer to nature experience” and variation. Our Bio-Pure® Frozen foods are a wonderful treat to be used with our other dietary options. Frozen foods should not be used as a standalone food, as they do not provide the well-rounded nutritional components your fish require for a long and health-filled life. If your aquarium is experiencing bacterial issues or has been recently treated, our Bio-Pure® Daphnia can be a great resource in clearing and improving your fish’s digestive process. As many fish require food options that are rich in algae and other ingredients, our Bio-Pure® Spirulina Brine Shrimp can quickly and efficiently help you increase the algae in your fishes diet while giving them a great treat.

We’re happy to help with any questions you may have! Email us at fish@hikariusa.com and one of our expert team members can assist in meeting your needs.