Homemade Gel Fish Food

Gel food is a favorite among fishkeepers: blend fresh ingredients, set with gelatin and cut into cubes. It sinks slowly, holds together in water and freezes well.

Feed only what your fish finish in two minutes.

Why your fish will love this

• Fresh ingredients you can see
• Holds together in the tank
• Freezes for months

Ingredient notes

• Raw shrimp, peeled Safe

  Raw, peeled and unseasoned, for gel food.

• Spinach, blanched Safe

  Blanched leaves.

• Peas, blanched and shelled Safe

  Blanched and shelled, for goldfish.

• Spirulina powder Safe

  Algae powder for color and plant-eating fish.

• Unflavored gelatin Safe

  Binds homemade gel food.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Homemade Gel Fish Food

Homemade Gel Fish Food takes about 2 hours 20 minutes from start to finish and makes 60 cubes. It is an easy recipe. You will need a blender. Read through every step once before you start, and set out all the ingredients so nothing is missed.

Ingredients and why they are here

You need 6 ingredients. Each one is checked against the ingredient safety guide for fish.

• 4 oz raw shrimp, peeled: Raw, peeled and unseasoned, for gel food.
• 1 cup spinach, blanched: Blanched leaves.
• 1/4 cup peas, blanched and shelled: Blanched and shelled, for goldfish.
• 1 tsp spirulina powder: Algae powder for color and plant-eating fish.
• 2 packets unflavored gelatin: Binds homemade gel food.
• 1/2 cup hot water

Step-by-step instructions

1. Blend the shrimp, spinach, peas and spirulina to a smooth paste.
2. Dissolve the gelatin in the hot water.
3. Stir the gelatin into the paste.
4. Spread 1/4 inch thick in a lined dish and chill until set. Allow about 2 hours.
5. Cut into tiny cubes and freeze.

Tips for success

• Make the layer thin so cubes are small enough for small fish.
• Thaw a cube in tank water before feeding.
• Remove uneaten food after 5 minutes to protect water quality.

How to store it

Let everything cool completely before you pack it away, since trapped steam causes sogginess and mold. Keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Freeze cubes flat in a bag. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

A cube small enough to be eaten in 2 minutes, once or twice a day.

Swaps and variations

No raw shrimp? Use white fish fillet. No spinach? Use zucchini. Change one ingredient at a time so you can tell how each swap affects the texture.

Why fish love it

Fresh ingredients you can see. Holds together in the tank. Freezes for months.

Feeding tips for fish

Overfeeding is the most common mistake in fishkeeping. Feed only what your fish finish in about two minutes and remove leftovers so they do not foul the water. Test water quality when you try a new food. Rotate foods through the week for variety, and fast adult fish one day a week if your fish species allows it.

Make it ahead

To save time, measure and prep the ingredients the day before and keep them covered in the fridge. Label containers with the recipe name and date so you always know what to use first. Most of the work in this recipe is hands-off, so it fits easily around a busy week.

What to watch for

Cloudy water, ammonia spikes or fish gasping at the surface usually mean too much food. Clamped fins, white spots or bloating are signs of illness. Do a partial water change, cut back on feeding, and ask a fish vet or experienced aquarium store if symptoms continue.

Safety notes

Never add onion, garlic, chocolate, grapes, raisins, xylitol or salt, and check the safety guide before trying a new ingredient with your fish. This recipe is general information, not veterinary advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is gel fish food?

Fresh ingredients blended and set with gelatin so they hold together in water.

Can goldfish eat this?

Yes. Use more peas and spinach for goldfish.