Homemade Goldfish Food (Pea & Veggie Gel)

Goldfish need more plant matter than most aquarium fish, and shelled peas help prevent swim bladder trouble. This gel food is mostly peas and greens with a little shrimp.

Goldfish always look hungry. Feed small amounts.

Why your fish will love this

• Supports goldfish digestion
• Mostly vegetables
• Sinks, so no gulping air

Ingredient notes

• Frozen peas, blanched and shelled Safe

  Blanched and shelled, for goldfish.

• Zucchini, blanched Safe

  Blanched slices for plecos, goldfish and snails.

• Spinach, blanched Safe

  Blanched leaves.

• Raw shrimp, peeled Safe

  Raw, peeled and unseasoned, for gel food.

• Unflavored gelatin Safe

  Binds homemade gel food.

See every ingredient in the safety guide

How to make Homemade Goldfish Food

Homemade Goldfish 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.

• 1 cup frozen peas, blanched and shelled: Blanched and shelled, for goldfish.
• 1/2 cup zucchini, blanched: Blanched slices for plecos, goldfish and snails.
• 1/2 cup spinach, blanched: Blanched leaves.
• 2 oz raw shrimp, peeled: Raw, peeled and unseasoned, for gel food.
• 2 packets unflavored gelatin: Binds homemade gel food.
• 1/2 cup hot water

Step-by-step instructions

1. Blanch the vegetables and slip the peas out of their skins.
2. Blend with the shrimp until smooth.
3. Dissolve the gelatin in hot water and mix in.
4. Spread thin in a lined dish and chill until set. Allow about 2 hours.
5. Cut into cubes and freeze.

Tips for success

• Always shell peas; the skins are hard to digest.
• Sinking food reduces air gulping and floating problems.
• Fast goldfish one day a week.

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. If anything smells off or shows mold, throw it out.

How much to serve

A pea-size cube per goldfish, once or twice a day.

Why fish love it

Supports goldfish digestion. Mostly vegetables. Sinks, so no gulping air.

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.

Shopping list

Before you start, check that you have frozen peas, zucchini, spinach, raw shrimp, unflavored gelatin and hot water. Most of it is at the grocery store; hay, pellets, feed and supplements are at pet or feed stores. Buy fresh produce close to the day you cook.

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

Why are peas good for goldfish?

They are high in fiber and help with constipation and swim bladder issues.

Can goldfish eat bread?

No. It swells in the gut and fouls the water.