Can you feed a fish too much??

[RTR]

Overfeeding fish in tanks does shorten their lifespan. Fish suffer the results of overweight just like people do. Fatty livers and kidney problems are the most likely results. Inapproprite foods are as bad as too much food (high protein diets for grazers, etc.)

But the commonest short term result is just poor water parameters from excess waste/undigested food. How harmfull that is long term will depend on the upkeep given the tank by the keeper.

 

[gsk177]

Thank you RTR. I assumed this much, but really was looking for affirmation.

I have never just kept feeding my fish to the point of "overfeeding" nor do I plan to do so. I was just wondering if it were possible.

 

[RTR]

I suspect that the majority of captive fish live shorter lives than they could, largely from overfeeding and resultant waste issues, provided that they live through the initial tank set-up before nitrification is established. But most folks keeping fish do not visit these boards, and their LFS do not tell them that hobby fish are not annuals to be replaced regularly.