Food

(Source: M. Westerfield from Zebrafish Book 5th Edition)

To keep fish in good breeding condition it is best to feed them a variety of foods.  Feed manually ground dry or moist trout pellets (Ranger 1/4 inch brood food or Oregon wet pellets) as well as dry flake food like Tetra brand (available at most pet stores).  Add enough food to each tank so that all the fish get some and all the food is eaten within 5 minutes.  Feed adults at least twice a day although multiple light feedings allow the fish better opportunity to utilize the food.  The best possible food for breeding adults is live adult brine shrimp.  Brine shrimp eggs can be purchased at most pet shops.  To make baby shrimp, add 10 ml of shrimp eggs to 2000 ml of salt water (or Instant Ocean®, Aquarium Systems Inc.).  Aerate vigorously.  After 48 hours at 28.5°C, filter the shrimp through a cloth, wash with fresh water and dilute into dH₂O at a ratio of 1 volume shrimp to 3 volumes water.  Feed 1 Pasteur pipette of diluted shrimp per 8 adult fish.  Other possible foods are daphnia, Drosophila and Drosophila larvae. Beware of tubifex worms, which may carry diseases (also, see Raising Larvae in a Nursery).