I am asking this question with regards to clowns but would appreciate any views on marine fish in general, do they prefer sinking or floating food (pellets)?
I believe that all pellets end up sinking just some may float for longer than others, in your case I would go with floating pellets as it gives the clowns more time to find the food once it hits the sand bed they tend to ignore it. sinking pellets will be preferable mainly to feed bottom dwelling fish and invertebrates.
I think most reefers prefer sinking pellets as they don’t go down the overflow as much as floating pellets. I don’t think clownfish care. My clowns will eat sinking or floating. Some of my tangs and gramma will not go the surface for food, but clowns can do either. My vote would be sinking though.
This is why I have a food ring.
They stay floating for a few minutes, then sink. The clowns have no problem coming into the ring to feed. All the other fish wait for some to sink. Some hit the sandbed for the inverts.
The NYOS pellets are my choice, they don’t float for too long to avoid going down to the sump and are a softer texture. All my fish love them. I feel the Algae and the Goji ones. Great for an auto feeder too.
I use sinking pellets. I find they float for a tiny bit if you drop them gently on the surface, then sink to the bottom. My clowns eat them anywhere but off the sand.
But I always turn off my return during feeds so food going down the overflow isn't an issue.