Veggies for your fish
by Charles Drew (H&DAS)

Many of our fish require at least a part vegetable diet. Most of today's foods are fairly well balanced to give most fish a healthy diet. But many fish do better with the addition of a fresh cooked high fibre vegetables which benefit their whole digestive system.

Zucchini is an excellent choice of many fish. It is loved by Plecos, Livebearers, and some African Cichlids as well as some Tetras and larger Characins. I slice it into medallions and boil it until it is soft or cook it a few minutes in the microwave. Then I spread it on saran wrap on a cookie sheet and freeze. When frozen it is placed in a plastic bag in the freezer for use anytime it is needed. Romaine lettuce is also a good source of greens. It can be fed raw to marine and some tropical fish and plecos as well as koi and goldfish. I find it is better cooked for some smaller fish or for use in my paste food formula.

Swiss Chard and Beet tops can also be used in the same way as Romaine lettuce. Asparagus if you can afford it or have your own patch as I do is loved by Plecos if it is well cooked. You can cook them those tough stringy ends that you usually cut off and throw away. Broccoli is a well-loved food of Plecos. I take the heavy stem pieces that we don't eat and cook them. After they cool, split them open to expose a soft inside that fish love. Green beans and peas are also eaten by some fish. Green beans and snow peas are split and cooked and can then be frozen for the future the same as all of the other vegetables mentioned. These vegetables are also an excellent food for snails. It will make desirable snails grow or congregate those red ramshorns so they can be removed more easily. Veggies are good for you and also good for many fish, give them a try soon.