The cheapest good food for catfish is a quality sinking pellet bought in bulk. Catfish are bottom feeders and omnivores, so a pellet with about 28 to 32 percent protein works for most pond fish and many aquarium species. You can stretch the budget with safe supplements like blanched vegetables, shrimp pieces and earthworms.
Best Budget Options
- Bulk sinking pellets. Look for fish feed sold in 40 to 50 pound bags at feed stores. The price per pound drops sharply compared with small tubs. Our guide to Purina sinking catfish food is one example.
- Algae wafers for plecos and corydoras. Small aquarium catfish do well on wafers. See algae wafers for bottom feeders.
- Frozen or live worms. Earthworms, bloodworms and blackworms are inexpensive protein sources, especially if you raise worms yourself.
- Blanched vegetables. Zucchini, cucumber and peas make filling, cheap supplements for plecos and other plant-eating catfish.
- Peeled raw shrimp. Cut into small pieces and feed sparingly. Fresh is better than old, so do not use spoiled seafood.
Cheap Does Not Mean Spoiled
Older advice sometimes suggests spoiled shrimp or random scraps as food. That is not a good idea for a fish you want to keep healthy. Rotting food fouls the water, spikes ammonia and can carry bacteria. Use fresh or properly frozen items and remove uneaten food within a few hours.
How Much to Feed
Feed only what the fish eat in a few minutes, once or twice a day for juveniles and once a day for adults. In cool water, catfish eat much less, so cut portions back as the temperature drops. Overfeeding is the most expensive mistake because it wastes food and harms water quality.
Alternatives to Commercial Feed
If you want to compare formulas, see alternative food for catfish and the guide to feeding small catfish.
Bottom Line
For most owners, cheap catfish food means bulk sinking pellets plus a few inexpensive fresh extras. Match the food to the species you keep, feed small amounts, and keep the water clean. Ask a fish veterinarian or local aquarium store if your catfish show signs of illness.
