The Best Automatic Fish Feeders

There are many priorities you must juggle at once when it comes to keeping healthy fish. Your water needs to be properly conditioned; the pH balance and other chemical levels need to be just right, the water temperature needs to be suitable for your fish, you have to keep it clean, and of course, you need to feed your fish regularly. To keep a healthy aquarium, you may need an automatic fish feeder.

Nevertheless, compared to other pets, fish are some of the lowest-maintenance pets you can have. Just watching them swim effortlessly through their tanks is like a therapy session. They’re self-sufficient so long as their environment is healthy. The only issue with keeping fish as pets is that they’re not able to be vocal the way a dog or even a cat might be, so they can’t tell you what they need.

A fish can’t alert you when it’s hungry. And it’s easy to forget, especially when you’re having to feed your fish several times a day. Sometimes, your mind is riddled with daily stressors and unless you’re setting an alarm for yourself, it’s likely that at some point, you’ll forget your fish’s mealtime. Even the most conscientious fish owners know that feeling of dread that washes over them when they have forgotten to feed their goldfish, clownfish, or angelfish.

Unless you’re actively shopping for automatic fish feeders, you probably had no idea that there are so many options to choose from. Some are better suited for specific purposes, types of food, or even portions. Instead of trying to brave the vast array of options on your own, we made it easy by identifying the four best automatic fish feeders. We have a top favorite, we selected one that’s ideal for controlling portions, one that’s actually fish-specific, and one that’s extremely reliable for when you need to travel!

Top Picks: The Best Automatic Fish Feeders Today

#1 Best Overall: EHEIM Everyday Fish Feeder Programmable Automatic Food Dispenser

Based on our research, the best overall automatic fish feeder is the Programmable Automatic Food Dispenser by EHEIM. This is a great option for everyday use whether you’re staying home, lounging on the couch with a book next to your aquarium, or if you have to take a trip out of town. All you have to do is set it and let it feed your fish every day. It’s really as simple as that.

With this automatic fish feeder, you have a convenient, worry-free way of feeding healthy fish. It’s simple to set up and use and includes a straightforward start guide. This model also has an integrated fan and ventilation system that keeps the food dry. Yup, they’ve thought of everything.

It’s battery-operated and programmable for most types of fish food for freshwater and marine fish. It fits perfectly on most aquariums and includes a universal installation clamp. It reliably dispenses accurate portions throughout the day and is equipped with easy digital LCD programming for up to eight feedings per day. There’s a manual release button you can use that permits feeding outside of those pre-programmed times. Use the adjustable slider to set desired portions. You just need two double AA batteries (they’re included!).

However, if you have different types of fish in your aquarium that require different types of food, you will need more than one fish feeder. If you use multiple types of food in the same feeder, it can get stuck or dispense too much food.

Pros and Cons of the EHEIM Everyday Fish Feeder Programmable Automatic Food Dispenser

Best Overall

EHEIM Everyday Fish Feeder

• Programmable food dispenser
• Convenient and worry-free feeding
• Easy set-up and easy-to-understand instructions
• Fan and ventilation systems keep food dry
• Digital programming for up to eight feedings a day

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2. Best Portion Control: Noodoky USB Charging Automatic Fish Feeder

Portions can be hard to gauge, but with the Noodoky USB Charging Automatic Fish Feeder, you don’t have to worry. It’s equipped with a customized, circular feeding time schedule. There are four feeding time settings and three levels of portion control for each time. There’s also an auto-setting button that allows you to set the feeding time for either eight or 12 hours on rotation.

This automatic fish feeder charges with a USB cord and can last for three to six months. It has a 200 mL capacity and an adjustable slider that lets you set the desired portion of food to release into the tank. It’s easy to add food — you don’t even have to take the feeding bucket off! Just slide the top opening and pour the food into the bucket.

The 360° rotatable base makes it possible for you to select the feeding position that you desire. Then, just mount it onto aquarium glass that is up to 1.3 inches thick. You can also affix it to the flat surface of your tank by using the double-sided sticker. If you’re home and wish to directly feed your fish, just use the instant feeding button. This allows you to feed your fish at any time with a single button.

This automatic fish feeder holds different types of foods like flakes, granulated, strip, and pellet food. It is relatively easy to use, but some customers reported that it can be hard to get it set up the first time. In addition, make sure you always know how much to keep the door open so that excess food doesn’t get dumped into your tank. One customer used a permanent marker to mark the spot so that they always remembered where to secure the door for their fish.

Pros and Cons of the Noodoky USB Charging Automatic Fish Feeder

Best Portion Control

Noodoky USB Charging Automatic Fish Feeder

• Four feeding time settings
• Three levels of portion control
• Easily charges with USB cord
• Charges last for 3-6 months
• Holds various types of food — flakes, granules, etc.

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3. Best for Smaller Tanks: Aoyar Automatic Fish Feeder

The Aoyar Automatic Fish Feeder is a great choice for small tanks or feeding your betta fish while you’re gone for the weekend. You can use all kinds of different types of food since this fish feeder is moisture-proof and keeps the food fresh. It runs on batteries (two AA batteries, not included) and has an LCD screen, so it’s easy to use.

The Aoyar Automatic Fish Feeder can give your fish up to three rounds of food, and it can dispense it up to three times each day. The adjustable slider also allows you to adjust how much food is dispensed at a time. When it’s time to eat, the feeder will rotate 360 degrees and drop your fish’s favorite food into the tank. You can choose the automatic mode or the manual mode. Use the manual mode when you want to feed and watch your fish eat, and you can use the automatic mode when you’re away.

There are two different ways to install this fish feeder, both of which are quick and easy. First, you can use the 360-degree rotating base to clamp the feeder onto the glass wall of your tank. Or you can use the double-sided stickers included to attach it as well. You do need to make sure it is placed far enough above the water so that it does not get wet, as this will ruin the food inside.

Some customers reported that the opening where the food comes out can be difficult, and often releases too many pellets or not enough. Many suggested remedying this with a little tape.

Pros and Cons of the Aoyar Automatic Fish Feeder

Best for Smaller Tanks

Aoyar Automatic Fish Feeder

• Great for bettas or smaller tanks.
• You can use different types of food.
• Runs on two AA batteries.
• There is an automatic mode and a manual mode.

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4. Best for Bigger Tanks: Petbank Automatic Fish Feeder

The Petbank Automatic Fish Feeder is great for bigger tanks (typically over 50 gallons). It has a large feed bucket (200 mL) and can hold a variety of different types of fish food, from flakes to powders and granules. However, some customers reported that it dispenses too much food if you have a small tank or only have a few small fish.

The Petbank Automatic Fish Feeder charges with a simple USB cable, so you don’t need to worry about buying and replacing batteries. Once charged, the feeder can be used for three to six months before you’ll need to plug it in again.

You can set the clock for feeding times and adjust how much food dispenses with each feeding. If you want to feed your fish manually, there is also a “manual” button.

There are two ways you can install this fish feeder. First, you can secure it to the rim of your tank with the adjustable clamp. Second, you can remove the base and use the 3M round adhesive sticker (included with purchase) so that it stands on top of your tank if you have a cover or aquarium hood.

Customers reported that the handbook and instructions for this automatic fish feeder are confusing, so it can be difficult to set up. However, once you’ve got the hang of it, this fish feeder can be a great asset to your fish tank!

Pros and Cons of the Petbank Automatic Fish Feeder

Best for Bigger Tanks

Petbank Automatic Fish Feeder

• Works well for larger fish tanks.
• Rechargeable with USB cable.
• Lasts three to six months between charges.
• Comes with two different ways to secure the feeder to your fish tank.

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Choosing the Best Automatic Fish Feeder: What to Look For

You have a couple of solid options to select from when deciding on the best automatic fish feeder for your needs. To make sure you’re choosing the best one, we’ve included some important considerations below, including purpose, type of food, capacity, and function.

Purpose

Sure, automatic fish feeders are ultra-convenient. However, think about your lifestyle and what makes a fish feeder an attractive purchase for you. Do you frequently travel and want to stop relying on your neighbor or a family member to stop by and feed your fish? Do you find that you’re a bit forgetful and can’t seem to stay on top of a regular feeding schedule? By identifying the reasons why you need an automatic fish feeder, you can make the best decision including the programming and capacity requirements of the fish feeder you select.

Type of Food

Some automatic fish feeders can hold any type of food. However, some are only equipped to handle specific types of fish food. Consider the type of food that you’d like to feed your fish and then be sure to select a fish feeder that matches that type of food. If you have fish that need different types of food, you may need to purchase more than one feeder.

Capacity

If you just need an everyday fish feeder that’s going to take the guesswork and the remembering out of your daily routine, then capacity isn’t too much of an issue. However, if you want a fish feeder for when you travel, and you plan to leave the country for weeks at a time, you’ll definitely need a more robust automatic fish feeder. If you have a significantly larger tank than usual, you may need to purchase more than one fish feeder for your tank as well.

Function

Some fish feeders have features that let you select the exact time of day you’d like to feed your fish. Others limit feedings to once or maybe up to eight times per day. Consider what your fish needs and select a fish feeder that has the features for appropriate programmability. Also, ensure the feeding bucket is large enough to hold as much food as your fish needs.

Up Next:

• The Best Betta Fish Tanks — Find the best tank for your betta fish here.
• The Best (Unique) Aquarium Decorations — Want your fish tank to stand out? Check out our list of the best and most unique aquarium decorations!
• The Best Aquarium Cabinets — If you’re looking for a way to make your aquarium fit into the feng shui of your room, check out our list of the best aquarium cabinets!