Commercial choices in food ?

[George Pontis]

I am wondering what sorts of commercial fish foods are favored for a tank of
malawi cichlids, with some clown loaches. The cichlids include several aulonocara
baenschi, a Copadichromis Borleyi, and a large electra superior (electric blue ?)
which has grown significantly and become a dominant bully.

I recently bought some Hikari "Sinking Carnivore Pellets" thinking that the
loaches would get a better shot at them during feeding time. The pellets were
really expensive, almost $10 for a 2oz package. It tuns out that all the fish
seems to love them. The staple that all seem to accept is Hikari Cichlid Gold
mini-pellet. Even the smallest cichlid in the tank can swallow at least four of
these in one gulp. I have tried the medium pellet version but it seems to be
shunned, to the point that they will remain floating and uneaten an hour later.
Once in a while I put in some frozen bloodworms and all the fish go crazy for
them. During the rainy season a strong downpour will sometimes wash a lot of
earthworms out onto the driveway. I tried these on the cichlids but only the
electra eats them.

Any thoughts or comments on these choices or suggestions for other foods ?

[Gill Passman]

George Pontis wrote:
> I am wondering what sorts of commercial fish foods are favored for a tank of
> malawi cichlids, with some clown loaches. The cichlids include several aulonocara
> baenschi, a Copadichromis Borleyi, and a large electra superior (electric blue ?)
> which has grown significantly and become a dominant bully.
>
> I recently bought some Hikari "Sinking Carnivore Pellets" thinking that the
> loaches would get a better shot at them during feeding time. The pellets were
> really expensive, almost $10 for a 2oz package. It tuns out that all the fish
> seems to love them. The staple that all seem to accept is Hikari Cichlid Gold
> mini-pellet. Even the smallest cichlid in the tank can swallow at least four of
> these in one gulp. I have tried the medium pellet version but it seems to be
> shunned, to the point that they will remain floating and uneaten an hour later.
> Once in a while I put in some frozen bloodworms and all the fish go crazy for
> them. During the rainy season a strong downpour will sometimes wash a lot of
> earthworms out onto the driveway. I tried these on the cichlids but only the
> electra eats them.
>
> Any thoughts or comments on these choices or suggestions for other foods ?

I feed mine Nutrafin Spirulina cichlid Sticks, frozen brine shrimp,
frozen daphinia and shelled peas. I steer clear of bloodworms as this is
not suitable for my Mbunas - not sure if it is suitable for Haps such as
yours (might be worth researching) although the Clowns certainly love them.

Gill

[George Pontis]

In article >,
says...
>
> I feed mine Nutrafin Spirulina cichlid Sticks, frozen brine shrimp,
> frozen daphinia and shelled peas. I steer clear of bloodworms as this is
> not suitable for my Mbunas - not sure if it is suitable for Haps such as
> yours (might be worth researching) although the Clowns certainly love them.
>

From what I have read on-line:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/articles/haps_vs_mbuna.php

The mbuna have a different diet requirement from the haps, since they are almost
exclusively herbivores. I thought my were not, but according to this article the
Copadichromis lives on plankton! He must be mighty hungry because I have never had
any to put in for him. I'll get some spirulina and see how it is received...

George

[Todd Carini]

I use OSI Cichlid pellets. I have Central Americans. OSI has a complete
blend so I do not have to use any other foods. They have a mix of carnivore
herbivore and color enhancers.

Todd Carini
Altoona, PA

"George Pontis" > wrote in message
t...
>I am wondering what sorts of commercial fish foods are favored for a tank
>of
> malawi cichlids, with some clown loaches. The cichlids include several
> aulonocara
> baenschi, a Copadichromis Borleyi, and a large electra superior (electric
> blue ?)
> which has grown significantly and become a dominant bully.
>
> I recently bought some Hikari "Sinking Carnivore Pellets" thinking that
> the
> loaches would get a better shot at them during feeding time. The pellets
> were
> really expensive, almost $10 for a 2oz package. It tuns out that all the
> fish
> seems to love them. The staple that all seem to accept is Hikari Cichlid
> Gold
> mini-pellet. Even the smallest cichlid in the tank can swallow at least
> four of
> these in one gulp. I have tried the medium pellet version but it seems to
> be
> shunned, to the point that they will remain floating and uneaten an hour
> later.
> Once in a while I put in some frozen bloodworms and all the fish go crazy
> for
> them. During the rainy season a strong downpour will sometimes wash a lot
> of
> earthworms out onto the driveway. I tried these on the cichlids but only
> the
> electra eats them.
>
> Any thoughts or comments on these choices or suggestions for other foods ?

[steve]

George Pontis wrote:
> I am wondering what sorts of commercial fish foods are favored for a tank of
> malawi cichlids, with some clown loaches. The cichlids include several aulonocara
> baenschi, a Copadichromis Borleyi, and a large electra superior (electric blue ?)
> which has grown significantly and become a dominant bully.

> Any thoughts or comments on these choices or suggestions for other foods ?

George, I heartily recommend Ad Konings frozen cichlid food.
example: http://www.aquariumconnection.com/getDetail.php?ItemNo=ON3759

I use the veggie formula in my 55g Mbuna tank. I've got
Auloncara hansbaenschi "Red Shoulder Peacock", Labidochromis caeruleus,
"Electric Yellow Lab", Pseudotropheus saulosi, and Pseudotropheus
greshakei "Red Top". The 13 2 inch fish eat 1/4 pellet twice daily. I
chop the gumdrop size pellet into four chunks. After they've thawed
for just a few minutes, I crumble/crush them into the waiting mouths of
the eager cichlids.

This recipe looks interesting and easy to make as well:
http://www.gcca.net/howto/fish_food.htm

steve