Fish Food Comparison
Tick two or three foods to compare nutrition, energy and how many grams give the same 100 kcal.
How to use the comparison
Look at dry-matter protein first. Then check energy per gram. A food can be high in protein and still be mostly water, which is why frozen cubes work best as variety and not as the whole diet for every fish.
Once you pick a food, run it through the fish calories calculator to see how much your fish need. The nutrition table lists every food in one place.
What dry-matter protein shows
Divide the protein on the label by the dry share of the food. The dry share is 100 minus the moisture percent. Tropical flake has 42 percent protein and 6 percent moisture, so its dry-matter protein is about 45 percent. Frozen bloodworms show only 8 percent as fed. Their dry-matter protein is about 67 percent. The same math shows why peas, at 26 percent, are a plant treat and not a protein source.
| Food | Protein as fed | Moisture | Dry-matter protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical flake | 42% | 6% | 45% |
| Gel food | 10% | 80% | 50% |
| Frozen bloodworms | 8% | 88% | 67% |
| Blanched peas | 5.4% | 79% | 26% |
What the numbers cannot tell you
The table uses typical values for each category. It cannot see digestibility, ingredient quality or the exact recipe in your tub. A food with high protein still fails if your fish cannot digest it or will not eat it. The label on your food always wins.
Build a simple weekly rotation
Feed a staple pellet or flake on most days. Offer a frozen food once or twice a week. Add a vegetable or a gel food for plant eaters. Rotate two or three foods over a week so your fish get a wider range of nutrients. When you swap one food for another, use the grams for 100 kcal row to keep the energy the same.
Frequently asked questions
Which fish food is best?
There is no single best food. Match the food to the species diet, then rotate in variety. Plant-heavy foods suit plecos, and protein-rich foods suit bettas.
Why compare on a dry-matter basis?
Water hides the real nutrient level. Removing it shows how a frozen food and a pellet truly compare.
What does grams for 100 kcal mean?
It shows how much of each food gives the same energy. 28 g of tropical flake and 167 g of frozen bloodworms both give about 100 kcal. Use it when you swap one food for another.
Can I compare more than three foods?
The tool shows up to three at a time so the table stays easy to read. Untick one food to add another.
Does a higher protein number mean a better food?
Not always. Digestibility, ingredient quality and your species matter too. A pleco needs fiber and plant matter, while a betta needs animal protein.