Once again, the word “bread” has come back into my mind, even though tashlich 2018 has passed. Yes, bread. One very prevalent practice in many cultures is the feeding of bread to birds and fish. It is unclear why or how this practice has developed, but it is still very common today. I’ve thought this was a bad and even tragic misconception for as long as I’ve learned how to care for wildlife. Fish and birds, including most other wildlife, should not eat bread. People who feed bread to fish and birds are well intentioned. In fact, once upon a time, I was one of them. For many good reasons, people feed fish and birds bread. It can be a fun way to get kids interested in tashlich, a way to get rid of leftover bread and avoid producing waste, or just a way to connect with nature. However, this perception that the animals can eat bread is misguided and actually quite harmful.
One reason is that bread is full of empty calories, which makes wild birds and fish much less healthy. The diets of birds are primarily made up of fish, other birds, insects, vegetation, seeds, and nuts. Even though fish like to eat algae and other water plants, they also like to eat worms, insects, plankton, and other fish. Bread, on the other hand, is mostly made up of carbs and often has a lot of sugar and sodium. It also has very little protein, fat, and fiber. A lot of the bread made in the United States also contains high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener that is known to be bad for you. When animals are fed bread, they may not be getting the nutrients they need and may also be eating very bad things.
The Chicago Academy of Sciences says that the tendency of waterfowl to get “angel wing” is likely linked to the poor nutrition caused by bread. Angel wing is a deformity of the wing in which growth is slowed down, making it hard for birds to fly. Once a bird becomes an adult, this condition is permanent and often leads to an early death. It is known that the deformity is caused by not getting enough minerals and vitamins and too many carbs and sugars. It’s no wonder bread is a main suspect.
Just like birds, feeding bread to fish can have disastrous consequences. The Atlantic City Aquarium offers several reasons as to why bread should never be fed to fish. For one thing, fish cannot digest yeast or gluten and gain little to no nutrients from bread. Even scarier, though, is the fact that bread will keep expanding because it absorbs water after the fish has eaten it. This leads to swelling of the stomach, intestinal blockage, and constipation which can often be fatal. It is also likely that fish that are fed bread will have slower metabolisms, which can cause more health problems.
Bread is bad for birds and fish because it changes the water they live in and causes terrible deformities and deaths that could have been avoided. According to Campbelltown City Council, feeding animals bread severely contaminates the water quality through an excess in bacteria. This extra is because animals are defecating more because they ate bread, and algae blooms are happening because the water has leftover bread. These effects can make animals that depend on the body of water for food and shelter very sick and deplete oxygen in the water, killing aquatic life indirectly.
We cannot rely on animals to refrain from harming their bodies by eating bread. They will take what we give them, just like our pets do. It is our job to make sure that what they are getting is safe. A word of caution – one should not make feeding wild animals a common practice. They shouldn’t learn to depend on people for food, no matter what you feed them or how healthy it is. It is very important for their survival that they keep learning how to hunt and gather food on their own, so they can feed themselves and pass on these skills to succeeding generations.
Many of us, though, like to connect with nature by feeding animals. Here are some foods that are good for them. Pet stores near you sell wild bird seed or a mix of nuts and fruits that you can give to forest birds. Also, you can put out platters of cut fruit in your backyard. Just remember to clean up any old fruit and keep an eye out for mold. For waterfowl, it’s best to go with lettuce, seeds, or frozen (defrosted) peas. You can also purchase waterfowl pellets, though be sure not to oversaturate the water with them. For fish feeding, earthworms are the best bet. You can also use protein pellets, but be careful not to put too many into the water, just like with waterfowl. Another word of warning—because you can never be too careful around wildlife—do not take my advice as the final word. It is important to know what to feed each species of animal in the area where you plan to feed them before you start feeding them. Additionally, find out whether it is safe to feed this species, some wildlife should be left completely alone.
In the end, this short article should have cleared up some myths about feeding wildlife and given you some good advice on the subject. It’s great to want to connect with wildlife, and feeding them can be a fun and memorable experience, but enough with the bread, please.
Bread has long been a dietary staple for humans around the world Its convenience, versatility and affordability make it a go-to carb source in many cuisines But when it comes to fish, bread is a more questionable food choice.
You may have fond memories of visiting lakes and rivers to feed stale bread to hungry fish. Or you might routinely drop leftover breadcrumbs into your aquarium for your finned friends. However, despite its ubiquity around people, bread is not a natural part of a fish’s diet.
So do fish like bread? Can they eat it safely or does bread pose risks to their health and environment? In this article we’ll explore the science behind fish nutrition and digestion to uncover the surprising truth about whether fish like bread.
An Easy Human Food That Lacks Nutrients for Fish
For humans, bread provides carbohydrates for energy, some protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. But fish have very different nutritional requirements that bread simply does not meet.
Fish are primarily carnivores designed to digest high protein foods. Research shows most species require 40-50% protein in their diet for optimal growth and health. Bread contains only 4-15% protein, falling far short of their needs.
Instead of carbohydrates, fish require high levels of amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins like C and D, and minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. Bread lacks most of these vital nutrients. Feeding fish a predominantly bread-based diet can therefore lead to malnutrition and deficiencies.
How a Fish’s Digestive System Handles Bread
To understand how unsuitable bread is for fish, it helps to look at some key differences in their digestive systems compared to humans:
-
No chewing – Fish do not chew their food. They rely on swallowing food whole and breaking it down internally.
-
Shorter tracts – A fish’s digestive tract is much shorter than a human’s, designed for rapid digestion of smaller meals.
-
Fewer enzymes – Fish produce fewer digestive enzymes than humans, lacking the ability to break down complex carbs and plant fibers.
Given their digestive limitations, fish struggle to properly breakdown and utilize the carbohydrates, gluten and fiber in bread. Uneaten bread can lodge in their intestinal tracts and rot, causing deadly constipation and blockages.
The common goldfish provides a sobering example. One piece of bread takes over 24 hours to pass through its short digestive tract. For fish like goldfish, a steady diet of bread can be fatal.
Dangers of Feeding Bread to Pond and Aquarium Fish
While bread poses internal risks to fish, it also threatens the delicate balance of pond and aquarium ecosystems. When introduced into the enclosed environments fish inhabit, bread causes a cascade of problems:
-
As uneaten bread decays, it assimilates oxygen in the water, leading to depleted, potentially deadly oxygen levels for fish.
-
Decomposing bread releases ammonia, nitrates and phosphates that accumulate toxically in fish tanks and ponds, reducing water quality.
-
Excess nutrients from bread encourage uncontrolled algae and bacteria growth, which can harm fish gills and digestive systems.
-
Dense algae blooms block sunlight penetration, preventing aquatic plant growth vital for oxygenation.
-
Bread crumbs on the water’s surface spread pathogens and attract pests like rats or insects.
Responsibly feeding fish means avoiding bread and choosing foods designed specifically for fish nutritional requirements.
Healthier Alternatives to Bread for Fish
While fish do not need bread for nutrition, they do appreciate variety in their diets. Here are some healthier bread alternatives to feed pond or aquarium fish:
Specially Formulated Fish Foods
Fish food pellets, flakes and gels offer balanced nutrition tailored to different fish species. Look for brands with high protein content and less fillers. For herbivorous fish, algae or plant-based fish foods are ideal.
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Chopped fruits like melon, mango and berries or blanched vegetables like peas, spinach and zucchini make tasty, nutritious treats for fish. Make sure any human foods fed to fish are unseasoned and thoroughly washed.
Live or Frozen Foods
For carnivorous fish, substitute bread with live foods like brine shrimp or blood worms, or nutrient-rich frozen options like krill, glassworms or Mysis shrimp. These protein sources better match their natural diets.
The Bottom Line: Should You Feed Bread to Fish?
After reviewing the evidence, the verdict is clear – bread should not be a regular part of your fish’s diet. While an occasional small serving of multigrain or wheat bread likely won’t harm them, it provides zero nutritional benefits. And feeding bread too frequently or in large quantities puts your fish’s health at risk.
Instead, do your fish a favor by feeding a balanced, high protein diet designed for their specific nutritional needs. Supplement with tasty fruits, vegetables or live foods for variety. Ditch the bread, and your freshwater or saltwater fish will enjoy better health and a higher quality of life in their aquatic environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Fish and Bread
Can I feed my fish bread at all?
You can feed your fish a small piece of multigrain or wheat bread occasionally as a very limited treat. But it should never make up a substantial portion of their diet.
What are signs my fish is sick from eating bread?
Look for symptoms like constipation, bloating, lack of appetite, lethargy, staying at the water’s surface or bottom, and difficulty swimming which can indicate digestive issues from bread.
Is stale bread worse than fresh bread for fish?
Yes, stale bread mold and fungi can infect your fish. Only feed very small amounts of very fresh bread in moderation.
Can too much bread alter the pH of my pond or tank?
As bread breaks down it releases compounds that lower pH, making water acidic. Rapid pH fluctuations stress fish and hamper biological filtration.
Why do fish still beg for bread if it’s bad for them?
Fish naturally become excited at the prospect of any food. They lack the ability to discern nutritional quality, so enthusiastically eat bread despite its low value as a food source.
What fish can’t eat any bread at all?
Common goldfish, koi, bettas and other delicate, smaller tropical fish species do not digest bread well at all. Avoid feeding bread to them.
When it comes to fish nutrition, skip the bread and choose healthier, high-protein foods instead. Your fish will have happier, longer lives without this inappropriate human food. With a balanced diet and pristine water quality, your fish will thrive and delight you for years to come.
