In the wild, dwarf angelfish consume a variety of foods, which include algae, corals, invertebrates, sponges, and much more. This brings up the question, “What should we feed dwarf angelfish in captivity?” Luckily, this hobby has come a long way, and there is a variety of food to provide your angelfish with a varied diet. This article will discuss six different foods I recommend you provide for your dwarf angelfish.
1. Mysis Shrimp
First on the list is Mysis Shrimp. Most saltwater hobbyists likely already feed their fish this food, so let’s just get it off the list. I personally prefer feeding my fish frozen Mysis Shrimp compared to freeze-dried, but that’s just my preference. Each option has its pros and cons. Many aquarists suggest Piscine Energetics (PE) Mysis Shrimp, but most of us have Hikari Frozen Mysis Shrimp more readily available at pet stores. I usually grab the Hikari brand because it is so easy to find at the store. Unlike standard brine shrimp, mysis shrimp provide essential fatty acids, amino acids, and vitamins that strengthen the immune system.
2. Hikari Bio-Pure Frozen Mega-Marine Angel
Hikari Mega Marine Angel is food specifically tailored for the diet of an angelfish. Angelfish consume sponges in the wild, and the main ingredient in this food is sponge. This is a great option to provide your fish with a more well-rounded diet. Dwarf angelfish are not the only fish that will benefit from this food. Other omnivores will happily consume Mega Marine Angel. This food also has a combination of sea algae, sea urchin, sea worms, plankton, and much more to give your fish a boatload of nutrition in a small package.
3. New Life Spectrum Marine Fish Pellets
I have been using New Life Spectrum Marine Fish Formula ever since I started saltwater fishkeeping. It has always worked well for me, and most of my fish have readily accepted the food. This remains true for dwarf angelfish. I like using New Life Spectrum because they use high-quality foods. The Marine Fish Formula’s top five ingredients include Antarctic krill, squid, spirulina, garlic, and omega-3. While many other brands use filler or wheat products for their main ingredients, this company does something different.
4. Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Flakes
I don’t use flake food as much as pellet food and frozen foods. However, if you’re hunting for flake food to feed your saltwater fish, consider Ocean Nutrition Prime Reef Flakes. This formula is designed for carnivorous and omnivorous fish. This includes all types of dwarf angelfish. The main ingredients for this product include plankton, dried fish protein digest, salmon, and fish meal. It’s a great food to have to help create a well-rounded diet for your angelfish and other marine fish.
5. Nori Sheets
Because dwarf angelfish are often seen grazing on algae, it might be a good idea to provide nori sheets to further supplement their diet. Coral Ranch Nori Seaweed or the Omega One Nori Sheet Bundle are fantastic choices, but there are plenty of other options and brands out there you can use. If you have a small aquarium that is lightly stocked, you may get more seaweed sheets than needed. The main consumers of algae sheets are tangs, rabbitfish, and foxface. Dwarf angels will often nibble off pieces of nori while the other fish are devouring it. Grab the Blulu 2 pc Magnetic Seaweed Clip to make it easy for you to put in and take out nori sheets.
If you have the protein-rich food covered but are on the hunt for foods that are perfect for a herbivorous diet, check out 12 Best Fish Food for Herbivores – Saltwater Edition. These foods are tailored for herbivores, but they can still be a fantastic way to provide a varied diet to your dwarf angelfish and other saltwater fish.
6. Spirulina Brine Shrimp
Many brands sell Spirulina Brine Shrimp. The ones that I use the most are the Hikari Bio-Pure Frozen Spirulina Brine Shrimp and the San Francisco Bay Spirulina Brine Shrimp. Hikari is more likely to be available at your local pet store, but don’t hesitate to give other brands a try. Standard brine shrimp are not very nutritious, but enriched spirulina brine shrimp provide plant-based proteins, vitamins, and carotenoids that benefit dwarf angelfish. Also, Angelfish and many other shy eaters typically accept brine shrimp readily, making it a good way to get them eating if they’re shy or new to the tank.
Final Notes
There may be many more foods out there that can keep a dwarf angelfish fed and happy. These six are what I have fed mine successfully in the past. It’s incredibly important to provide a variety of foods when feeding dwarf angelfish and other fish. The more options they have, the more nutrients they are likely to absorb, which will lead to a happier and healthier fish. Fish require nutrition and good-quality food, just like humans do. If there is food you use that has worked great, let me know. I would love to add more to this list or create a fresh list of what to feed dwarf angelfish.