Fish that don't need regular feeding

[horseplay]

What are some of the species that don't require regular feeding rather on sustaining themselves on algae and pods naturally occuring in a reef tank? I have a tank that's about 80 gallons. Currently have a yellow blue damsel. The tank is only fed once a week or two weeks. The feeding is rather to add some nutrients for the corals than for the fish. The damsel seems to be doing great under such feeding regime for the last 4 months. I know dragonets are able to survive without feeding assuming the tank has enough pods. I have bought a small pigmy angel (let's hope it survives it was bullied for a few hours by the damsel until I relocated the later to the sump). It picks on the glass all the time. How about royal grammas? Looking to add a couple of small fish to the tank.

 

[Fish Think Pink]

What are some of the species that don't require regular feeding rather on sustaining themselves on algae and pods naturally occuring in a reef tank? I have a tank that's about 80 gallons. Currently have a yellow blue damsel. The tank is only fed once a week or two weeks. The feeding is rather to add some nutrients for the corals than for the fish. The damsel seems to be doing great under such feeding regime for the last 4 months. I know dragonets are able to survive without feeding assuming the tank has enough pods. I have bought a small pigmy angel (let's hope it survives it was bullied for a few hours by the damsel until I relocated the later to the sump). It picks on the glass all the time. How about royal grammas? Looking to add a couple of small fish to the tank.

dragonets often starve because there aren't enough pods, and to keep them healthy is often a very intensive 'labor of love' feeding daily. Great thread, directions in post #9:

Thanks PaulB- Mandarin feeder

Just completed my Mandarin feeder after PaulB design. My Mandarin is currently fat and happy but wanna make sure she stays that way..I owe it to her after killing a couple 20 years ago when I first started this hobby and not having a clue for there needs. They have always been one of my favorite...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Jeff Jarry reef]

What are some of the species that don't require regular feeding rather on sustaining themselves on algae and pods naturally occuring in a reef tank? I have a tank that's about 80 gallons. Currently have a yellow blue damsel. The tank is only fed once a week or two weeks. The feeding is rather to add some nutrients for the corals than for the fish. The damsel seems to be doing great under such feeding regime for the last 4 months. I know dragonets are able to survive without feeding assuming the tank has enough pods. I have bought a small pigmy angel (let's hope it survives it was bullied for a few hours by the damsel until I relocated the later to the sump). It picks on the glass all the time. How about royal grammas? Looking to add a couple of small fish to the tank.

I have a pair of royal grammas they tend to hide alot tho. And mine have been peaceful too. But they are nice fish.

 

[Gtinnel]

While there are fish that will eat algea and pods throughout the day, I don't think you will find anyone that recommends not feeding the fish in your tank.
Why would you not want to feed your fish, it in my opinion one of the more enjoyable parts of the hobby?

 

[mdb_talon]

I would say most fish can go extended periods without starving. I had a friend who fed his clownfish once a week and they lived for years. Of course mine which were bought several months later ended up 3 times the size. In other words just because you can does not mean it good for them.

I mean a dog can survive being fed every other day...but would you want to do that?

 

[Gtinnel]

I would say most fish can go extended periods without starving. I had a friend who fed his clownfish once a week and they lived for years. Of course mine which were bought several months later ended up 3 times the size. In other words just because you can does not mean it good for them.

I mean a dog can survive being fed every other day...but would you want to do that?

I agree.
There is a huge difference between surviving and thriving.

 

[Zionas]

Why don’t you want to feed your fish according to schedule? Mandarins, wild caught ones at least, need a very stable tank with a large pod population. Just about anything else needs to be fed.

 

[Paul B]

Blue stripe pipefish, Mandarins, Ruby red dragonettes, scooter bleenies (which are really dragonettes.
I have all those fish and they fend for themselves and all of them spawn.

 

[horseplay]

Why don’t you want to feed your fish according to schedule? Mandarins, wild caught ones at least, need a very stable tank with a large pod population. Just about anything else needs to be fed.

I took some extend trips and my daughter stopped by to feed my tank once a week or sometimes longer. In anticipation of the trips I sold all my fish except one damsel which I could not catch. I found it has not only survived but even thrived because it started to exhibit more nature behavior like I have seem in the wild. I like this. I had a Mandarin for a long time in my then 105 gallon tank and it was doing very well. It never ate anything I put in the tank.

 

[horseplay]

Blue stripe pipefish, Mandarins, Ruby red dragonettes, scooter bleenies (which are really dragonettes.
I have all those fish and they fend for themselves and all of them spawn.

I forgot about pipefish. Certainly one of the fish I have not kept but always wanted to. I guess it will compete with the pygme angel for pods.

 

[horseplay]

Any thoughts on rainfordi goby, tailspot blenny (or any small species of blennies)? Maybe a 6 line wrasse?

What about these tiny neon gobies that perch on the huge favia colonies in the Caribbeans? What do they eat?

 

[Paul B]

I forgot about pipefish. Certainly one of the fish I have not kept but always wanted to. I guess it will compete with the pygme angel for pods.

If you have pods you will have enough for many fish. I have all of those fish eating pods and have not ran out. If any of those fish are spawning, you can be assured you have enough pods.

 

[Montiman]

If it is simply a maintenance issue I would get an auto feeder. Some are only around $30. There are plenty of fish that can survive on pellets alone.

 

[horseplay]

If it is simply a maintenance issue I would get an auto feeder. Some are only around $30. There are plenty of fish that can survive on pellets alone.

I actually have one made by Eheim. But have always fed the tank frozen. When I am out I don't run a skimmer or any other nutrient export methods. So can't feed too much.