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The Feeding and Nutrition of Herbivorous Fish
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In the wild, many species of fish include a significant amount of vegetable matter in their diet. Some of these herbivorous fish consume phytoplankton or filamentous algae; others nibble on the leaves and stems of aquatic plants.
Predominant algae/plant eaters include the Asian Grass Carp, the South American Myleus species, some African Tilapia Cichlids, and the African Characoid, Distichodus.
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However, few if any fish are exclusively herbivorous throughout their life. Other species require significant amounts of vegetable matter in their diet, examples being goldfish and other carp, barbs, sucker-mouth loricariid catfishes, and several poeciliid livebearers (e.g. mollies).
Grazing Fishes
Many fish significantly graze on algae-coated surfaces. Examples of grazers include some African Cichlids, Marine Parrot Fishes, and the South American sucker-mouth catfishes of the Loricariidae.
Plant Nibblers
Goldfish and koi are well known plant nibblers. Their destructive action on aquatic plants often goes unappreciated by their owners. Koi and goldfish must use their pharyngeal bone, to break down plant material before it can be digested.
Mechanical breakdown is necessary because these fish do not possess the enzymes that break down the material of cell walls.
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Herbivorous Feeding Behaviour in Fishes:
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Food Item:
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Examples of fish that include significant quantities of this food in their diet:
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Phytoplankton
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Some cichlids (e.g. some Tilapia), cyprinids (e.g. silver carp) and herrings
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Filamentous Algae
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Surgeonfishes, damsel fishes, trigger fishes, sucker-mouth catfishes. Algae-eating cichlids.
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Higher (vascular) plants (macrophytes)
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Goldfish, Koi
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Nuts, Fruits
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Pacu (Colossoma spp)
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Plant-Eating Carnivores
Even some fish that are generally classed as carnivores are known to include a certain amount of plant material in their diet.
A well-known example is the Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus Mykiss that consumes small quantities of algae.
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Normal Opening Hours:
Monday - Wednesday: 9:15am - 6:00pm
Thursday - Friday: 9:15am - 7:00pm
Saturday: 9:15am - 6:00pm
Sunday: 10:30am - 4:30pm
(6:00pm closing on Fridays during winter opening hours)
Address: Aquamania Ltd, Kent Street, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 1DE
To ensure quality service and training procedures are upheld, all correspondence
concerning website orders, complaints and other queries must be directed through
email only. This is to enable us to respond as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Telephone Order Placement Line: 01254 665662
General Store Enquiries: 01254 663399
Email: info@aquamania.co.uk
Terms, Conditions & Policies
Indoor Aquatics | Outdoor Aquatics | Biorbs & Biubes | Birds & Small Animals
Cats & Dogs | Fishing Tackle | Live Plants | Live Tropical Fish | Live Fish Food
Reptile Supply | Juwel Aquariums | Reptile Care Sheets | Animal Care Sheets
VAT No. 674 5118 25 | Incorporated in England No. 3959731
Reg. Office 22-28 Willow Street, Accrington, BB5 1LP
© 2005-2007 Aquamania - Aquariums, Reptiles, Pet Supplies, Fishing Tackle
and Aquatics Supply Superstore |
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