How long does fish food last?

[CraigMcN]

Hi All,

Recently won a trade me auction for a bunch of tanks and stuff, and included was 75(!) tins of JBL Discus Grana food (about 6.5kg's of the stuff). Enough for about 20 years of feeding by my reckoning

The "minimum shelf life" stamped on the bottom of the tins are all 01/99, and they're still all sealed perfectly. Do you think it'll still be a worthwhile food? I've cracked a couple of tins and it still seems fine and a trial feeding met with approval from the lionheads....

I'm also debating using it to bulk out my homemade oscar food (beefheart and shrimps and spinach and stuff), would that be a good use for it given that I'll never get through the lot feeding it any other way?

Thanks..

Craig.

[Faran]

Shelf lives are for stock boys As long as it's all perfectly sealed it should have a LONG shelf life... though 7 years past the stamped date is getting on. The only thing to keep in mind is that preserved foods do lose nutrients with time, and the nutritional value info on the tin was only guaranteed until that stamped date. You may have lost some nutrients, but it'll still be fine for oscars and the rest if it was made for discus!

[JoandWilly]

I've read before that once you open some brought fish food by the time 6 weeks has past it will start losing its nutritional value, storing it in a air tight container in the fridge will prolong this though.