Do Fish Eat Cheese? The Surprising Truth Behind This Dairy Dilemma

Cheese is an iconic food in many cultures around the world. Its tangy, creamy flavors make it a staple ingredient in countless recipes and dishes. But when it comes to our aquatic friends, an important question arises – do fish eat cheese?

As a popular fishing bait and aquarium treat, cheese certainly attracts fish. However, science and fish anatomy reveal that cheese is quite harmful as a regular part of a fish’s diet. Let’s dive deeper into the science behind this dairy dilemma.

Why Does Cheese Attract Fish?

There are a few key reasons why fish are instinctively drawn to cheese:

• Strong Scent – Cheese releases a potent, pungent aroma underwater. Fish locate food largely by smell, so this serves as a strong feeding trigger.

• High Fat Content – The high fat levels in cheese register as an excellent source of calories and energy to attract hungry fish.

• Texture – Soft, mushy cheeses give off amino acids and blend easily in water to mimic fish food sources. This appeals to a fish’s senses.

• Curiosity – As an entirely foreign food, cheese may simply pique a fish’s curiosity and interest much like a shiny lure or bobber would.

So in essence, cheese seems like an ideal snack from a fish’s limited perspective. But looks can be deceiving when it comes to cheese’s nutritional value and digestibility.

Can Fish Properly Digest Cheese?

The short answer is no. Fish lack the proper enzymes and gastrointestinal anatomy to break down and derive nutrients from cheese.

Mammals produce special enzymes like lactase and lipase to digest the proteins, fats, and lactose sugars abundant in dairy products. Fish simply do not possess these same enzymes in their bodies.

Consuming cheese may initially seem satisfying to a hungry fish. But without the ability to properly digest it, cheese can cause:

• Nutritional deficiencies
• Intestinal gas, bloating, and discomfort
• Constipation
• Toxic buildup of undigested fats and proteins

Over time, these issues can become life-threatening. Cheese can essentially clog up a fish’s digestive tract.

Health Risks of Feeding Fish Cheese

Beyond upset digestive systems, regularly feeding cheese to fish poses other health risks including:

• Obesity – The high fat and calorie counts lead to weight gain and fat deposits in fish. This impairs buoyancy, mobility, and organ function.

• Toxins – Mold, preservatives, and artificial additives commonly found in cheese may poison fish who lack physiological defenses against such compounds.

• Changed Ecosystem – Excess cheese raises ammonia levels and strains the nitrogen cycle by overloading the biological filter capacity.

• Addiction – Fish may become hooked on the taste of cheese and refuse to eat more natural, healthy foods essential to their diet.

• Illness – Cheese fed often fosters harmful bacteria and degrades water quality, causing sickness in fish.

Clearly, the cons outweigh the pros when it comes to giving fish cheese on a regular basis.

Healthy Alternatives to Cheese for Fish

Rather than cheese, fish benefit from treats like:

• Brine shrimp, bloodworms, daphnia, or copepods
• Bits of fresh seafood – shrimp, scallop, clam, etc.
• Sliced earthworms, crickets, or insects
• Blanched vegetables – zucchini, peas, spinach
• Fruits like melon, mango, or berries
• High quality sinking pellet food with algae, krill, and color enhancers

These provide natural nutrition fish are adapted to digest and metabolize from their native waters. Moderation is still key with any treats.

The Verdict: Don’t Regularly Feed Fish Cheese