Can Frozen Fish Food Go Bad?

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by KDtrey5, Aug 20, 2012.

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  1. KDtrey5

    KDtrey5 Coral Banded Shrimp

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    It is ok to keep frozen fish food in the freezer for as long as I want? I have alot, but I just dont use all of it.
     
    KDtrey5, Aug 20, 2012
    KDtrey5, Aug 20, 2012
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  2. Ryan Duchatel

    Ryan Duchatel Millepora

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    Mines been in there for a while. As long as you dont de-frost - rethaw.
     
    Ryan Duchatel, Aug 20, 2012
    Ryan Duchatel, Aug 20, 2012
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  3. Steve34

    Steve34 Feather Star

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    Never had a problem with it as long as it stayed frozen. I recently moved and all of mine which was about 6 different packs got left out of the freezer and I didn't find it for about two days. It was sealed in a way so the smell didn't get out until I disturbed the box. Talk about a powerful stench.
     
    Steve34, Aug 20, 2012
    Steve34, Aug 20, 2012
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  4. Mr. Bill

    Mr. Bill Native Floridian

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    That stuff stinks anyway, Steve. lol

    AFAIK, it has preservatives in it... that's where the phosphates come from and why you should rinse before using. It's also sealed very well, so one should be able to keep it almost indefinitely.
     
    Mr. Bill, Aug 20, 2012
    Mr. Bill, Aug 20, 2012
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  5. FatBastad

    FatBastad Zoanthid

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    I thought there was recently some talk on here about 6 months being the limit...
    This is a "best use by" suggestion as the foods nutritional value starts a decline around that time.

    I've had pe mysis frozen for a year and it was fine.
    Don't think I'd personally bother going much longer than that.

    When you do use it try to get it back into the freezer immediately since they begin to thaw very quickly!
     
    FatBastad, Aug 21, 2012
    FatBastad, Aug 21, 2012
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  6. scadsobees

    scadsobees Fire Shrimp

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    My corals won't eat anything that is freezer burnt.

    :) Ok, that's not true, they could care less. It may lose a little nutritional value over time if it dries out a bit, but I don't think that hurts anything as a lot of other food is freeze dried.
     
    scadsobees, Aug 21, 2012
    scadsobees, Aug 21, 2012
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  7. Greg@LionfishLair

    Greg@LionfishLair 3reef Sponsor

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    There's another thread on this site regarding this issue. However, the short version is that besides the loss in vitamins, the proteins and oils go rancid, thus losing their nutritional value as well. Our "normal" freezers can't get cold enuff to stop this process for very long...it is delayed, but not stopped.

    Food that has been frozen/rethawed or is freezer burned should be discarded, as well as anything over six months old. Anything that smells, should definitely be discarded (we just tossed a piece of supposedly fresh salmon for this reason this AM).

    FWIW, we DO have a few fish that will "tell" us when the food is getting too old (they out and out refuse it), and it's way less than six months.

    Poor nutrition is probably the #1 reason many fish can't be kept in captivity with much success.

    HTH
     
    Greg@LionfishLair, Aug 21, 2012
    Greg@LionfishLair, Aug 21, 2012
    #7