𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝:

𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐟 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬

Introduction

Frozen fish food is often the gold standard for nutrition in the saltwater hobby, but let’s be real—navigating the freezer section can be just as overwhelming as staring at a wall of protein skimmers. Should you rinse it? Is mysis always better than brine? What’s the best food for your coral or that picky mandarin that turns its nose up at everything else? This guide dives deep into everything you need to know about frozen fish food—from ingredients and species-specific choices to DIY recipes and whether rinsing is right for your tank. Whether you’re a beginner or have a fishroom that requires its own electric panel, this article is here to make feeding your reef smarter, not harder.

Check Out Our Full Video On Frozen Fish Food

Why Frozen Food Is a Staple in Modern Reefing

Frozen food provides higher nutritional value than most dry foods because it retains sensitive compounds like omega-3 fatty acids, essential vitamins, and amino acids. It’s also less processed and closer to what fish would naturally encounter in the wild. Many species show improved coloration, immune response, and behavior when fed a rotation of frozen foods.

Have You Heard About the R1 Frozen Fish & Coral Feeder?

This miniaturized freezer is designed specifically for reef tanks. It holds up to 72 frozen cubes and keeps them frozen until the exact moment your tank is ready to be fed. No more pre-thawing, messy hands, or guessing when to feed.

To Find Out More About The Feeder Click Here

We’re launching the R1 Feeder on July 16th at 7 PM CST, with limited early bird pricing and 100 beta units available on a first-come, first-served basis.

How to Identify Quality Frozen Food

Before dropping money on mystery cubes, here’s what to look for.

1. Ingredient list should have whole, recognizable items like shrimp, squid, scallop, clam, fish, or algae.

2. Avoid vague terms like fish protein, binder, or starch—those usually mean fillers.

3. When thawed, a good cube breaks into visible, clean chunks—not an unidentifiable slurry.

4. Look at protein and fat content on the label. Ideal protein range is 50 to 70 percent for most marine fish.

5. Water content should be low—some cubes are mostly ice, which means you’re paying for water instead of nutrition.

6. Omega-3s like EPA and DHA are particularly important for immune health, color enhancement, and reproductive success.

Breakdown of Common Frozen Food Types and When to Use Them

PE Mysis Shrimp

Pros:

1. Exceptionally high in protein and omega-3s.
2. Harvested from cold freshwater lakes, reducing parasite risk for marine tanks.
3. Irresistible to most fish including wrasses, clowns, and anthias.

Cons:

1. Extremely “juicy”—can release excess phosphate and nitrate.
2. May be too large for small-mouthed fish without chopping.

Best Use: Ideal for mixed reefs and community tanks. Great staple for protein-hungry species.

Brand Tips: PE Mysis (Piscine Energetics) is the gold standard. 

Feeding Tips: Thaw in RO/DI water, then strain to reduce nutrient load. Excellent soaked in garlic for picky eaters.

Tamara’s Pro Tip: I treat PE Mysis like protein powder—great in moderation, but best paired with other foods for balance.

Mysis Shrimp (Standard/Marine)

Pros:

1. Smaller and softer than PE Mysis.
2. Easier for small fish to eat.
3. Still rich in protein and fatty acids if sourced well.

Cons:

1. Nutritional profile varies widely by brand.
2. Some versions are heavily watered-down or overly processed.

Best Use: Good for nano tanks or smaller fish like chromis, firefish, gobies. Also useful in DIY blends.

Brand Tips: Look for brands that use “marine mysis” and avoid cubes that look overly mushy or white (ice-heavy).

Feeding Tips: Best fed mixed with other small particle foods. Soak in amino acids to enhance nutrition.

Tamara’s Pro Tip: I always keep mysis on hand to bulk up coral blends or supplement broadcast feeding.

Brine Shrimp (Standard & Enriched)

Pros:

1. Soft, tiny, and readily accepted by all fish.
2. Gentle on the digestive system.

Cons:

1. Nutritionally poor unless enriched.
2. Plain brine is like iceberg lettuce—nice texture, not much else.

Best Use: Ideal for new fish, juvenile gobies, or shy eaters. Excellent as a delivery method for vitamins.

Brand Tips: Enriched versions (with spirulina or HUFA) are far superior. Avoid cubes that dissolve into cloudy soup.

Feeding Tips: Mix with fatty foods or soak in supplements. Avoid over-relying on brine as a staple.

Krill

Pros:

1. Packed with astaxanthin for red/orange color enhancement.
2. Chewy and satisfying for large predators.

Cons:

1. Too large for most reef fish unless chopped.
2. High in fats—can lead to bloat in small species.

Best Use: Excellent for lionfish, puffers, triggers, and big tangs. Useful for conditioning broodstock.

Brand Tips: Choose whole, clean krill. Avoid pre-ground or pressed blocks with fillers.

Feeding Tips: Chop with scissors for smaller fish. Target feed to minimize mess.

Copepods, Cyclops, and Plankton

Pros:

1. Tiny but loaded with DHA and EPA.
2. Mimics natural planktonic prey.
3. Great for fish, corals, and filter feeders.

Cons:

1. Can cloud water if overfed.
2. Easy to pollute tank if broadcast too heavily.

Best Use: Perfect for mandarins, anthias, small gobies, and broadcast feeding coral tanks.

Brand Tips: Look for flash-frozen pods with no additives. Avoid blends mixed with starches or binders.

Feeding Tips: Turn off pumps and use a turkey baster for best delivery. Mix with coral powders for supercharged target feeding.

Squid

Pros:

1. Super high in protein and amino acids.
2. Chewy texture keeps large fish occupied.

Cons:

1. Can gum up filters if overfed.
2. Needs chopping for smaller tankmates.

Best Use: Excellent for groupers, eels, large wrasses, and DIY food blends.

Brand Tips: Choose uncut, natural squid. Avoid pre-seasoned or dyed seafood (yes, that’s a thing).

Feeding Tips: Cut to size and mix with softer foods. Freeze leftovers in smaller portions.

Tamara’s Pro Tip: I use kitchen shears to make perfect bite-sized strips. Just don’t use them for salad after.

Clam, Mussel, and Scallop

Pros:

1. High in minerals and natural texture.
2. Encourages foraging and polyp extension.

Cons:

1. Messy if not target-fed.
2. May spike nutrients if overused.

Best Use: Great for angels, meat-eating fish, and LPS corals like acans and blastos.

Brand Tips: Look for single-ingredient cubes with real shellfish pieces. Avoid pasty or ground mixes.

Feeding Tips: Target feed using tongs or coral feeders. Let thawed chunks rest on coral heads.

Fish Roe

Pros:

1. Super rich in omega-3s.
2. Enticing to finicky eaters.
3. Helps with spawning and color enhancement.

Cons:

1. Expensive.
2. Breaks apart easily if overhandled.

Best Use: Use sparingly for breeders, picky fish, or to jumpstart feeding.

Brand Tips: Choose marine-sourced roe (capelin, salmon). Skip sushi-grade types with dyes or flavoring.

Feeding Tips: Thaw gently and feed immediately. Mix with other foods to make it stretch.

Spirulina and Algae Cubes

Pros:

1. Rich in plant protein and chlorophyll.
2. Helps herbivores thrive and reduces gut issues.

Cons:

1. Lower in fat and marine aminos.
2. Can float and disintegrate too fast.

Best Use: Best for tangs, rabbitfish, blennies, and algae-eating angels.

Brand Tips: Look for real spirulina, not dyed flake regrinds. Check for nori, seaweed, or marine greens as main ingredients.

Feeding Tips: Press into feeding clip or use feeding grid. Combine with garlic or mysis for balance.

Bloodworms

Pros:

1. Smells amazing (to fish).
2. Great appetite trigger.
3. Soft and digestible.

Cons:

1. Freshwater origin = not marine-optimized.
2. Possible pathogen carrier if improperly frozen.

Best Use: Emergency rations for non-eaters. Works well to transition fish to prepared foods.

Brand Tips: Only use high-quality, lab-sterilized versions. Check color—bright red is fresh, grey is old.

Feeding Tips: Feed sparingly and remove uneaten worms. Not for daily use.

Should You Rinse Frozen Food?

The short answer: it depends on your tank’s nutrient needs and inhabitants. Rinsing frozen food is a debated topic among reef keepers. Some swear by it, while others intentionally avoid it. Let’s break down the pros and cons of each method to help you make an informed decision based on your tank setup.

Pros of Rinsing Frozen Food:

1. Reduces excess nutrients – Rinsing removes phosphates and nitrates that accumulate in the packing liquid, especially in foods like PE Mysis. This is useful for tanks where excess nutrients can fuel algae growth or cause issues with sensitive SPS corals.

2. Helps prevent algae problems – In systems already struggling with hair algae, cyanobacteria, or other nuisance blooms, rinsing your food can help lower the fuel source.

3. Greater control over nutrient input – If you’re running a bare-bottom tank, ULNS (ultra-low nutrient system), or have minimal export (like no refugium or skimmer), rinsing gives you more precision over what’s entering the system.

Cons of Rinsing Frozen Food:

1. Removes valuable fine particles – These small food particles are ideal for feeding filter feeders like feather dusters, sponges, LPS corals, and even some fish fry. Rinsing washes them away.

2. Reduced coral feeding opportunities – When you don’t rinse, the nutrient-rich “juice” in frozen food can improve polyp extension, coral coloration, and feeding response, particularly in LPS and soft corals.

3. Beneficial in low-nutrient systems – Some reefers actually rely on the extra nitrate and phosphate in unrinsed food to raise nutrient levels in ULNS systems where corals may be starving for them.

So, when should you rinse?

Rinse if: You have a nutrient-sensitive system (like an SPS-dominant tank), are dealing with algae outbreaks, or have heavy fish loads with minimal filtration.

Don’t rinse if: Your tank is full of filter feeders or LPS corals, you’re intentionally boosting nutrients, or your system has strong nutrient export and can handle the load.

There’s no universal rule — it’s all about matching your feeding method to your livestock’s needs and your tank’s nutrient strategy. Monitor your parameters, observe your corals, and adjust accordingly.

Tamara’s Pro Tips: In tanks with lots of corals and inverts, I skip the rinse. For nutrient-sensitive builds, I strain using a brine shrimp net. Balance your goals with your livestock.”

Feeding Guide by Type of Marine Livestock

Carnivores (lionfish, triggers, groupers):

These fish thrive on a protein-rich diet. Offer them meaty foods like squid, krill, PE Mysis, and chopped seafood such as scallop or clam. Larger chunks are often preferred and mimic their natural prey. Feed sparingly, as these fish can produce significant waste.

Herbivores (tangs, rabbitfish, algae-eating angels):

Focus on plant-based nutrition. Use foods high in spirulina, marine algae cubes, or finely chopped nori sheets. These can be added directly or mixed into DIY blends to ensure a balanced diet that supports their digestive systems and natural grazing behavior.

Omnivores (clownfish, wrasses, many reef-safe species):

These versatile eaters benefit from variety. Rotate between PE Mysis, enriched brine shrimp, marine omnivore blends, and the occasional algae cube to provide a full range of nutrients. A mixed feeding approach helps maintain energy, coloration, and immune health.

Filter feeders and corals:

These animals feed on microscopic or suspended particles. Use broadcast or target feeding methods with blends that include rotifers, calanus, phytoplankton, and amino acids. Fine-particle foods are essential to reach species like feather dusters, gorgonians, LPS corals, and some sponges.

Picky eaters:

For fish that ignore standard offerings, try enticing them with high-attractant foods. Roe (fish eggs), copepods, enriched brine shrimp, or DIY blends enhanced with garlic extract or Selcon can trigger feeding responses. Patience and experimentation are key with finicky species.

DIY Frozen Fish Food: Overview + Recipe

Making your own food allows full control over ingredients. Start with a seafood base—shrimp, scallops, squid, or clam. Add greens like spinach or spirulina. Mix in fine foods like copepods, phytoplankton, coral powders, and multivitamins. Blend to your desired texture, pour into silicone molds, and freeze. You can add unflavored gelatin to help bind and slice the mixture.

Core Components:

•Seafood Base: Protein source (shrimp, scallop, squid, clam, white fish)

•Plant Matter: Greens like spinach, seaweed, or spirulina

•Microparticles & Supplements: Phytoplankton, copepods, coral powder, Selcon, amino acids, multivitamins

•Binder (optional): Unflavored gelatin for slicing and cleaner feeding

•Tools Needed: Blender, silicone mold or ice cube tray, freezer, labels

Process:

1.Chop and prep ingredients

2.Blend to desired texture

3.Pour into molds

4.Freeze and label

Tamara’s All-Purpose DIY Reef Food Recipe

(Use this as a guide if desired but make it yours!)

Ingredients for All Purpose Fish Food:

•1/2 cup raw shrimp (peeled, deveined)

•1/4 cup scallops or white fish

•4-5" prices of a flat pack or 3-4 cubes of PE Mysis or krill

•2-3 sheets of chopped nori or 1 tsp spirulina powder (optional for herbivore support)

•1/4 tsp Selcon or other liquid multivitamin

•1/2 packet unflavored gelatin (optional, helps slice cleanly)

•RO/DI water – enough to blend

Instructions:

1.Chop seafood.

2.Combine all ingredients in a blender. Blend to a medium texture (not a puree – aim for pea-sized bits).

3. Hand mix in greens.

4.Dissolve gelatin in a small amount of warm RO/DI water, then mix in (if using).

5.Pour into silicone molds, ice cube trays, or ziplock bags and freeze overnight.

Ingredients for Coral & Filter Feeder Blend Recipe (Fine Particle Broadcast Food)

•3-4 tbsp phytoplankton (add until you are happy with the consistency)

•1 tbsp calanus, copepods, or rotifers 

•1 tsp oyster eggs or fish roe

•1/2 tsp coral powder food (like Reef-Roids or Coral Frenzy)

•1/4 tsp amino acid supplement

•1/4 tsp liquid multivitamin or Selcon

•1/4 tsp unflavored gelatin (optional for texture)

•RO/DI water – enough for blending and dissolving dry ingredients if not using phytoplankton

Instructions:

1.Mix all ingredients in a small blender or whisk thoroughly if no solids are included.

2.Blend to a very smooth consistency – the goal is fine particles for suspension feeding.

3.Add dissolved gelatin if desired for thicker consistency.

4.Pour into small molds (mini cubes or thin sheets work best) and freeze.

5.Store frozen and thaw just enough for each feeding — broadcast or target feed with a turkey baster or pipette.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Frozen Food

1. Excess nutrients or algae blooms:

You may be feeding too much, not removing uneaten food, or feeding unrinsed cubes in a sensitive system.

2. Cloudy tank after feeding:

Indicates poor food quality, excess water content, or a need for better filtration.

3. Picky fish refusing food:

Try smaller, softer foods like enriched brine or copepods. You can also soak food in garlic extract or vitamins.

4. Food not reaching coral or slow eaters:

Use a turkey baster or coral feeder to deliver food directly where it’s needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I feed only frozen food?

Yes, many reefers do. Just make sure to rotate types to cover all nutritional bases, or use a well-rounded DIY blend.

2. Is it okay to feed frozen food every day?

Absolutely. Just portion it carefully and ensure you have strong nutrient export like a protein skimmer or regular water changes.

3. How long can frozen food stay in the tank before removal?

Ideally, all food should be consumed within 2 to 5 minutes. Anything beyond that risks fouling your water.

4. What’s the best frozen food for corals?

Fine blends with rotifers, cyclops, calanus, and coral powders. LPS corals in particular respond well to direct feeding.

5. Can I thaw food in tank water?

Yes, but only use a small cup and discard the water if you’re trying to reduce nutrient load.

Conclusion

Frozen fish food offers reefkeepers the opportunity to feed like nature intended—with whole ingredients, diverse nutrition, and meaningful enrichment. By choosing high-quality cubes, tailoring your feeding strategy, and understanding when to rinse or not, you’ll support vibrant fish, healthy corals, and a thriving tank. And if you’re tired of daily thawing and cleanup, remember that automation is finally catching up. Frozen feeding no longer has to mean daily hassle, thanks to smart tools like the upcoming R1 Frozen Fish and Coral Feeder. Until then, thaw wisely, feed generously (but not too generously), and always aim for variety. Your reef will thank you for it.

Happy Reefing!