Best Automatic Fish Feeders of 2020

We reviewed the best automatic fish feeders for all different use cases in your aquarium. Our top picks offer unique features and aspects that make them capable of covering your fish keeping needs.

Top 3 Automatic Fish Feeders

Best Overall Automatic Fish Feeder

Eheim Automatic Feeding Unit

Perhaps thee most sold fish feeder and for good reason, the Eheim Everyday Fish Feeder is easy to use and precise. You won’t break your the bank here, or find a much cheaper feeder either.

Best Portioned Controlled Automatic Fish Feeder

Fish Mate F14 Aquarium Fish Feeder

If you need a pre-portioned feeder for whatever reason, you can’t go wrong with the Fish Mate F14. Easy to set up, capable of multiple types of foods, and with plenty of compartments, the F14 will meet your needs.

Best Automatic Fish Feeder for Humid Environments

IntelliFeed Fish Feeder

If you have lots of moisture in your system, the Intellifeed is your best option. Designed specifically for moisture control, it’s sealed food storage container keeps food dry.

Best Aquarium Sumps of 2020

Why do I need an Automatic Fish Feeder  for my fish tank?

One of the most important factors in maintaining a healthy aquarium is stability. Consistent feeding times and portions are an essential piece of this stable environment your fish need. Since your schedule is probably not consistent from one day to the next, an automatic fish feeder can help you establish these necessary consistent feeding times on a daily basis. Another common issue aquarium owners face is how to make sure their fish are fed consistently and proportionately while out of town. With an automatic fish feeder, you can be sure that your fish will  receive the same amount of food and on the same schedule that they do on a regular basis. In short, while an automatic fish feeder isn’t an essential component for your tank, it is both convenient and it promotes a healthy and stable environment for your fish.

Factors To Consider for an Automatic Fish Feeder

Number and Type of Fish in your Tank

The number of fish in your tank will influence whether or you need a pre-portioned feeder or not. If you don’t have enough fish to eat all of the food in your feeder, than you will need the pre-portioned version in order to avoid over feeding your fish and putting to much bacteria into your system. The type of fish you have will also influence what kind of feeder or how many feeders you need. If your fish need different types of food, then you will need to either go with the pre-portioned feeder or multiple barrel feeders. If you have a good number of fish, and they all can eat the same type of food, then the automatic barrel feeder is the easiest and most regular way to go.

How often will you be away from your tank?

Pending your aquarium set up, the next thing you’ll need to figure out is where your aquarium will live, and thus how much space you have for a sump. This may impact what type of stand you get for your aquarium as well. Understanding space available will allow you to narrow in on the best sump for your fish tank.

Fish Tank Set Up

You’ll definitely want to consider your budget when deciding which heater to purchase for your tank. There can be a wide range of prices for heaters, so making sure you have a strict budget in mind will make your buying process simpler. Check out our list of top recommended heaters to see which one best fits your performance and budget needs.

Ohfishal’s Top 8 Automatic Fish Feeders

ehiem
Best Overall Automatic Fish Feeder

Eheim Automatic Feeding Unit


This rotating barrel fish feeder is great for both beginner and experienced fish keepers. You can easily adjust the Eheim Everyday Fish Feeder to dispense the perfect amount of food for your fish. In relation to quality, functionality, and cost, the Eheim automatic feeder receives our top recommendation.

fishmate
Best Portion Controlled Automatic Fish Feeder

Fish Mate F14 Aquarium Fish Feeder


If you need the ability to mix different food types together to feed the various species in your aquarium, you may want to consider the Fish Mate F14. This portion control feeder can hold up to 14 meals, and can be programmed to feed up to 4 meals a day. It’s easy to use mounting system allows you to mount it to the hood or the outer edge of the aquarium.

Intellifeed
Best Automatic Fish Feeder for Humid Environments

IntelliFeed Fish Feeder


Designed specifically for moisture control, the IntelliFeed Fish Feeder may be the best feeder for you if your tank is in a humid environment or if any tank water tends to splash onto your feeder. It’s sealed food storage container keeps food dry by extending the arm out of the housing, dropping food, then returning to the housing. You’ll never have to worry about changing batteries again either, since this feeding system comes with USB-powered rechargeable batteries.

Zacro Fish Feeder

Zacro Automatic Fish Feeder


Featuring an option to power this feeder via a USB charger, you don’t have to worry about your battery dying while you are away and your fish not getting fed. Much like the Torlam, TOPBRY, and UniWood, the 200 mL barrel combined with the adjustable settings allows for multiple feeding schedules to suit your needs and keep your fish tank regular.

Torlam Fish Feeder
Best Rechargeable Fish Feeder

Torlam Auto Fish Feeder


This programmable fish feeder can feed your fish up to 4 times per day, and can be mounted to your aquarium in 2 separate ways. You won’t need to remove the feeder to reload food, and with its 200ml capacity, you shouldn’t have to reload to often. Compatible with flakes, pellets, or crumbles, the Torlam is a solid choice for an automatic feeder.

Topbry Fish Feeder

TOPBRY Automatic Fish Feeder


The Topbry is basically a similar option to the Torlam, Zacro, and UniWood, the main difference is simply the color. With all 4 of these models, you’re basically just picking the style you

UniWood Fish Feeder

UniWood Automatic Fish Feeder


Not to sound like a broken record, but see the above reviews for Torlam, Zacro, and TOPBRY. These 4 are so similar, its a matter of where you want to spend your $20 if you choose to go with one of these models.

Lychee Fish Feeder

lychee Aquarium Fish Feeder


Allowing you to feed 2 times per day, the lychee is a little smaller feeder. This is one of the cheapest options you’ll find, and you’ll need to make sure you position this where it won’t get wet, otherwise moisture will become an issue. Also slightly smaller than most feeders, you’ll need to refill the lychee more often.

Frequently Asked Questions about Aquarium Automatic Fish Feeders

Should I get an automatic fish feeder?

Yes. Your fish will be most comfortable with regular scheduled feedings. Unless you will be around your fish tank at the same time each day, it is highly recommended to get a automatic fish feeder. An automatic fish feeder will also give you peace of mind if you go on vacation for a week.

How long will my automatic fish feeder last?

This depends on which model you buy, how much food you need to dispense per feeding, and how often you need to feed your fish, but most automatic fish feeders will last at least 2 weeks, if not more.

How do automatic fish feeders work?

Automatic fish feeders have compartments that are emptied into the aquariums based on a timer in the feeder. You have control around how often the timer should go off.

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