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If you’re going out of town or need to feed your warm-water fish multiple times a day when you aren’t around, then you will need an automatic fish feeder. And no, this does not include block feeders, which can wreck your tank’s water quality.
As a board-certified fish veterinarian with over 10 years of experience, I have used a wide range of the most popular automatic fish feeders and often recommend them to my clients. An automatic fish feeder can greatly enhance your fish’s well-being and provide multiple small meals per day, which is better for digestion than one large one.
The best automatic fish feeder for most setups is the Fish Mate F14 Automatic Fish Feeder, which lets you pre-portion meals down to the pellet. It’s easy to set up and get running, too.
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What We Don’t Like
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Clip-style time setting
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Requires AA battery
We tell all our fish clients in need of more feeding control to purchase the Fish Mate Automatic Feeder. This automatic feeder can easily distribute specific meals, down to the individual pellet—an excellent option for bettas and smaller fish tanks. Mealtimes can be easily assigned, and this feeder can hold up to 14 total meals, feeding 1 to 4 meals per day.
The Fish Mate Automatic Feeder is very easy to set up and use routinely. You can even add air circulation to keep smaller pellets from sticking together. This feeder utilizes one battery that should operate your feeder for up to 1 year, a great investment in your fish’s health and well-being.
Capacity: 14 compartments | Power Source: AA battery
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What We Like
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Watch your fish eat
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Backup power mode
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Good for large tanks
Want to watch your fish remotely during feeding time? The EC Technology Automatic Fish Feeder includes a camera and can be paired with a corresponding app on your phone, so you can control when your fish get fed in addition to watching them.
This feeder has a relatively large food reservoir, but it works best with small, round pellets. You cannot specify exactly how many pellets are distributed during one meal, but only by 0.1 grams, so this is recommended for larger population tanks. This model can also be adapted to be used with or without a tank lid.
Capacity: 230 milliliters | Power Source: USB-C plug
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What We Like
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More control over total diet
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Limited moisture contamination
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Can be used with or without lid
What We Don’t Like
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Finicky touch screen
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Have to charge routinely
The Petbank Automatic Feeder CY-109 is well-suited for small tanks. This automatic fish feeder has room for 15 individual meal compartments that can dispense up to three times a day (and up to three compartments at a time). You can premeasure out individual meals down to the pellet, so this is a great choice for smaller tanks with not too many fish.
This model can be used with or without a tank lid, but requires an external charge prior to use and cannot be kept plugged in. The digital setup can be tricky to program correctly and requires some patience. This feeder is not compatible with flake food or freeze-dried meals. Overall, this feeder is an inexpensive option for small tanks if you cannot find our best overall choice.
Capacity: 16 compartments | Power Source: Internal battery with USB-C charger
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The Hygger Automatic Pond Fish Feeder is a large-capacity automatic fish feeder suitable for ponds. Most importantly, this unit has a solid arm and base to anchor it into the ground, preventing attacks by hungry raccoons and other outdoor pests. The Hygger Automatic Pond Fish Feeder has a 5.5-liter capacity and can work with tablet-shaped and rod-shaped pellets in addition to round ones.
It releases pellets using a corkscrew for 8-second intervals. How much food is actually dispensed during this time can differ significantly depending on pellet shape. Two screws are included for smaller and larger volume feedings. Feeding can be scheduled from once to six times per day via the digital panel.
Capacity: 5.5 liters (5500 milliliters) | Power Source: DC 12V (16-foot power cord included)
Final Verdict
Our overall pick in automatic fish feeders is the Fishmate Automatic Feeder for its low price point, ease of use, and ability to specify the exact diet your fish need! If you have a large pond requiring additional meals, we recommend the Hygger Automatic Pond Feeder , which is easy to use, compatible with various pellet shapes and sizes, and can be programmed easily
What to Know About Automatic Fish Feeders
Flexible Programming
Automatic feeders can vary widely in the amount of food they dispense and in feeding frequency. Units with one reservoir will dispense food for a set amount of time or weight. Automatic feeders with individual slots may release a single compartment or multiple compartments during set feeding times. Some feeders may have a simple clock-timer with click-in tabs to dispense food at various intervals, while others may have a digital program feature or even a phone app. As with any automated pet item, please read the instructions carefully before installing.
Capacity
The total capacity of your fish feeder will vary depending on how much food is being fed and the feeding frequency. In the larger tank model we mentioned above, there is a considerably larger food reservoir compared to the smaller models. If you have a lot of fish in your tank, you will need a larger capacity or be ready to refill it often.
Backup Power
Some automatic fish feeders will have internal battery power or include backup batteries. This will help if you lose power for a short period of time. However, if you do lose power, you may lose filtration capacity. In that case, additional feeding may not be the best idea. Feeders with apps can alert you if they lose power.
FAQ
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How long can my fish go without food?
Most pet fish will have better digestion with multiple smaller meals per day, so an automatic feeder can help with this. You may choose larger meals less frequently if you have very aggressive fish that need to be satiated before others get a chance.
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What are alternatives to an automatic feeder?
Block feeders should never be used in your tank as a substitute for regular feeding. These blocks quickly foul your water quality, harming your fish. Most fish will ignore these anyway, so they’re often a waste of money.
The best method instead of an automatic feeder is to arrange for a pet sitter, neighbor, or friend to feed your fish. However, well-meaning fish sitters can easily overfeed your fish and cause nitrogen issues. Always premeasure every meal, label it, and hide any excess food. This will ensure your fish are properly fed without any accidents while you are away.
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Is it better to feed larger, more infrequent meals or more frequent, smaller meals?
Most pet fish will have better digestion with multiple smaller meals per day, so an automatic feeder can help with this. You may choose larger meals less frequently if you have very aggressive fish that need to be satiated before others get a chance.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets
Dr. Jessie Sanders is one of the first board-certified fish veterinarians with over 10 years’ experience working with pet fish owners. She has used many of these automatic feeders herself and recommends our top pick to owners routinely. Dr. Sanders is a leader in veterinary pet fish care.
She has firsthand experience with most aquatic pet species and understands what goes into keeping them happy and healthy. Her personal experience extends to a wide range of aquarium hardware, and she has previously provided recommendations for the best fish tanks, filtration systems, aquarium lighting systems, decorations, and more. She has set up several of these tanks on this list for her own practice and helped hundreds of pet fish owners keep their fish happy and healthy.
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