What is the recommended rule of thumb for determining if overfeeding has occurred during a feeding session?
Answer
Only feed what the fish can consume entirely within about five minutes
A key guideline for preventing digestive issues and maintaining water quality when feeding fast-eating species like the Pictus Catfish involves a strict time constraint. The standard rule in fish keeping suggests that the total amount of food provided should be entirely consumed by the fish within a window of approximately five minutes. If, after this brief period, substantial amounts of food are still visible scattered across the substrate or water column, it strongly indicates that the quantity offered was excessive for that feeding event. This practice helps manage the intake speed and prevents uneaten, decaying food from fouling the environment.

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