According to FAO studies, there are three types of foods used in fish ponds: natural foods, complementary foods and whole foods.
Natural foods are those naturally present in ponds. They can be detritus, bacteria, plankton, worms, insects, snails, aquatic plants and fish. Its abundance depends to a large extent on the quality of the water. The application of lime, fertilization and in particular organic fertilization, can help to provide fish with a good supply of natural foods.
Complementary foods are foods that are supplied regularly to the fish in the ponds. They usually consist of inexpensive and locally available materials, for example terrestrial plants, food waste or products derived from agriculture.
Whole foods are also supplied on a regular basis. Its about a mix of carefully selected ingredients to provide all the nutrients needed for the fish to grow well. They must be made in a way that is easy to swallow and digest. These foods are very difficult to prepare on the farm.