1. **State the problem:** We have fish of different lengths eating different amounts of food per day. We want to find the total ounces of fish food needed each day. 2. **Identify the groups and food per fish:** - Fish less than 4 inches: length 3 inches, 5 fish, each eats $\frac{2}{16}$ ounces. - Fish exactly 4 inches: 6 fish, each eats $\frac{4}{16}$ ounces. - Fish more than 4 inches: length 5 inches, 12 fish, each eats $\frac{5}{16}$ ounces. 3. **Calculate total food for each group:** - For 3-inch fish: $5 \times \frac{2}{16} = \frac{10}{16}$ ounces. - For 4-inch fish: $6 \times \frac{4}{16} = \frac{24}{16}$ ounces. - For 5-inch fish: $12 \times \frac{5}{16} = \frac{60}{16}$ ounces. 4. **Add all food amounts:** $$\frac{10}{16} + \frac{24}{16} + \frac{60}{16} = \frac{10 + 24 + 60}{16} = \frac{94}{16}$$ 5. **Simplify the fraction:** $$\frac{94}{16} = \frac{\cancel{2} \times 47}{\cancel{2} \times 8} = \frac{47}{8} = 5 \frac{7}{8}$$ ounces. **Final answer:** The fish need $5 \frac{7}{8}$ ounces of food each day.