Choosing food for guppies requires a combination of their growth stage and nutritional needs. Here are specific recommendations:
I. Food Categories and Recommendations
Live Food (Top Choice for High Protein)
Brine shrimp: Artificially hatched brine shrimp eggs or adults are rich in protein and astaxanthin, promoting color development and growth.
Bloodworms/daphnia: Must be thoroughly cleaned to avoid parasites. They can enhance body color but feeding frequency should be controlled.
Dry Food (Convenient and Easy to Store)
Small pellet food: Choose floating pellets containing shrimp meal, suitable for daily feeding of adult fish.
Powdered food: Specifically for fry; feed small amounts multiple times a day to prevent water quality deterioration.
Other Natural Foods
Mosquito larvae: A primary food source for guppies in the wild, aiding in color enhancement.
Algae: Supplements vitamins, but only tender algae should be chosen to avoid digestive issues.
II. Feeding Strategies by Growth Stage
Fry Stage (0–1 month)
Focus on brine shrimp eggs or powdered food, feeding 3–4 times a day, with small portions each time.
Adult Stage (4 months and older)
Feed 2–3 times a day, combining brine shrimp with dry food to avoid a monotonous diet.
III. Precautions
Avoid egg yolk: It easily contaminates water and should only be used as emergency food.
Hygiene handling: Live food must be thoroughly cleaned; frozen bloodworms should be thawed before feeding.
Nutritional balance: Regularly supplement with spirulina powder or vitamins to prevent malnutrition.