WHITE CRANE!!!!!!!

[SULTANA]

Hello :D  fellow cichlid collectors and breeders,why do breeders use white crane?i have heard it can sterlize your fish, change their sex ?in other words stuff up the whole fish, shorten their life spane.so what is the sense of it if it does all this.Is the aquarium industry being dishonest :twisted:  and money hungry for the quick buck.if that is the answer i hope it comes back and bites them real hard.i know of two poeple who use it ,one breeder and shop owner,they have lost my money. i will probably be thrown off the site for this ,but so what. lets hear from you and what do you say about it all.

[smiley]

yes ive heard exactly the same thing  many times and also heard the opposite   I have a few strong beleifs about white crane

1. I would use it if i wanted a kick butt display tank  

2.   I would never use it on anything i might ever want to breed

3.   I dont mind shops using it just so long as they tell me clearly

4    Anyone who has a small knowledge of fish and has heard of white crane can normally spot them  

these are my thoughts    but like all things fishy   look   learn  listen and then make up your own mind  peter

[braddo]

It is not a product that I use and will infact ever use. The shops that use it do so cause they don't sell to a lot of breeders and they only want people to buy the fish not breed them. Personally nothing beats good naturally produced foods and natural foods in general.

[bmxbandit]

i doubt many breeders would use it..

when i first got into cichlids i got sucked into taking home a trial of white crane food from a shop. the guy in the shop told me that its fine to feed to my fish even tho i told him that i was trying to get them to breed more... that was the last time i ever went to that shop. it took about 4 days of feeding them white crane and the 2 girls went as blue as the male. i stopped feeding them that after about a week and went back to cichlid flakes.one of the girls got real skinny and refused to eat anything and died. the other one was the bigger one that i had got fry from a few times and it took about 6 months before she spawned again but the eggs were all white and no good.. dont know if it was the male or female or both..

 it doesnt change the sex of the fish but it colours the females up so they are the same colour as the males. when you see peacocks and electric blues showing full colour at 2-3cm you know somethings suss.

[SheDevil2084]

I had a 2ft with a few of the cichlid babys that I bred and fed them white crane for over 6 months and they had excellent colour and then I got sick of the tank and wanted a change so I put the fish into breed there was a male and a female lombardoi and they breed the best I have ever had. got heaps of mouthfuls out of them and about 40 at a time, so I believe that there is nothing wrong with feeding white crane to the fish.

But each person to their own opion.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Cheers
Karen

[gasnitro]

Should not brand all breeders using white crane. you may know two people but this is not the majority of us. and yes if you feed fish every day with white crane expect them to die.
Astaxanthin or commonly called nutra rose is what is added in the foods i use.

[Mistakes Are Crucial]

Hi Gasnitro,

Which brand of food do you use that has NatuRose in it?

MAC

[gasnitro]

Mac it is a food that I buy bulk not available to the aquarium industry until now. Astaxanthin is used in many things. This food that I have available has 75ppm of Astaxanthin. NatuRose recommends 20-100 for ornamental fish. I also can get this food with 150ppm.

And Barry my comment was a general one to your post so please don't take it personal. i was just voicing my opinion as a breeder
 hope the doctors treat you nice

[wrk21]

the long and the short of it is, that i dont think anyone knows for sure how it really effects the fish, yes it does colour up the fish to the point you cant tell the diff between males and fems, maybe only on the species that have egg spots but which fish it effects, m or f, and how it effects them is just ppl different experiences....the only way you will know for is to try it your self under the best controlled conditions that you can muster and then you too will have your own opinion of black duck.


cheers

[Dead Fish Floating]

Astaxanthin or commonly called nutra rose is what is added in the foods i use.

Which is the same thing as white crane, geez cast and ast....
Spirulina and shrimp shells contain all the pigments you need for africans.
But to colour up juves (and females) any astax remedy does the trick
salmon aquaculture food, discus magic, natrarose, white crane, tetra bits, aqua one colour enhancer pellets or human tanning pills......
It the same end product pigment.
Yep it slows down african females....  sometimes for months and months.
but thats not the case for all types of fish
Discus breeders tout it as the philosophers stone,
And it has given many a lfs the 'edge'

As a side note many imported fish come in 'bombed' to the eyeballs.
It wears off in quarantine and dealer tanks
and you will never know it was nuked.

We are not talking about a magical chemical,
rather a very common anti-oxidant pigment.
Ya know how crabs and stuff go pink/red when you cook them?
Ya know how most colour food is pink/red.
Or how flamingo's go pink from eating bacteria/algae/shrimp?

White crane is just a quicker way to achieve.
People serious about breeding cichlids would do well to make their own gel foods
or buy something like sera that is geared towards african breeders
even cheap aquaculture protien pellets work well enough.

Leave the pretty 'super colour foods' for those people
too lazy to wait for fish to colour up
and too poor to just get over it and go marine.
Or shops that need to clear some stock....

Oh yea and try to never feed electric yellows the stuff.
Because they are a 'melanistic' fish
and white crane is basically artifical tan
It will give them brown/black smudges
And every man and his dog will come rag on them.


Thats my 2 cents anyway
arrived late and had to dig it up.
White crane posts would have to be my favourite types of post....
aside from hybrids and freak outs over snails/algae or apista
emotional heh

[SaltSpraySandwich]

Hey Dead Fish Floating... Can Astax do this?

:o :o :o

I'm not saying that these fish have been fed white crane, but, people report this unnatural phenomena.

Gavin

[gasnitro]

 lazy i think not ::) and for foods my fish get a large variety including sera so you are not the first. would be good to see the break down of white crane though.
oh and feed Astaxanthin to your yellows and the stay yellow
i feed my tangs and malawi's with a result that i m happy with. as i  breed well over 1000 fry a month with good results
now how is it that white crane and Astaxanthin are the same again i mist that bit ;D

For Sale one 233 haines, them buggers been feeding the crabs and prawns colour food again and they gone red again when i cooked them up.  :)
Yes Agriculture farmers use it to enhance the end result.  ;)

Sorry for stealing  ya post Barry ;D
i thought i'd would share part of an email sent to me from NatruRose  [Valerie Harmon]

NatuRoseÔ Natural Astaxanthin as a Carotenoid and Vitamin
Source for Ornamental Fish and Animals
Introduction
NatuRose algae meal is safe natural source of astaxanthin derived from a unique strain of
the microalgae, Haematococcus pluvialis. The majority of the NatuRose carotenoid fraction is
astaxanthin, with about 15% of the remaining fraction consisting of canthaxanthin, lutein and
beta-carotene. NatuRose is spray dried and formulated into a fine dark red powder and is
currently used worldwide as a coloration and nutrition source for numerous species of animals.
It has been successfully used for pigmenting shrimp (P. monodon, P japonicus), rainbow trout,
coho, Atlantic salmon, poultry eggs, and sea bream. NatuRose natural astaxanthin has also been
extensively tested and has demonstrated exceptional pigmentation of koi and tropicals (marine and
fresh water).
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are a group of over 600 natural lipid-soluble pigments that are primarily
produced within phytoplankton, algae, and plants. These pigments are responsible for the broad
variety of colors in nature, most notable are the brilliant yellow, orange and red colors of fruits,
leaves, and aquatic animals. Among all of the numerous classes of natural colors, the
carotenoids are the most widespread and structurally diverse pigmenting agents. Although
plants, algae, and some fungal and bacterial species synthesize carotenoids, animals cannot
produce them de novo. Carotenoids are absorbed in animal diets, sometimes transformed into
other carotenoids, and incorporated into various tissues. For example, flamingos ingest algae
containing high levels of beta-carotene and convert this yellow carotenoid into canthaxanthin
and astaxanthin before depositing it into the feathers and tissues as red plumage. Some fish
species such as koi and various crustaceans (P. japonicus and P. monodon) have the enzymatic
mechanisms to convert carotenoids into other forms such as astaxanthin. The crustacean
Taliepus subsists on seaweeds and kelp and converts the beta-carotene and xanthophylls to
astaxanthin which is then deposited into the exoskeleton.
The color of various carotenoids are related to the number of alternating double-bond
pairs in the long polyene chain of the molecule, known as the chromophore (Figure 1).
Specifically, light energy is absorbed by the carotenoid polyene system between 400-700 nm, and
is converted into vibrational energy and heat, each carotenoid having a unique resonance in this
regard. The carrot root contains predominantly b-carotene, which consists of 9 double-bond
pairs within the polyene chain, and confers a yellow to orange color. The carotenoid, g-carotene,
is composed of 10 alternating double-bond pairs and confers a deeper orange color, whereas the
red color of ripe tomatoes and the flesh of watermelons is conferred by lycopene which consists of
11 alternating double-bonds in the polyene chain. Although the polyene structure of astaxanthin is
composed of 9 double-bonds similar to b-carotene, the keto and hydroxyl groups of the terminal
ring structures contribute to the perceived color through absorption resonance.
Figure 1
Carotenoproteins and Carotenolipoproteins
In combination with proteins and lipids, carotenoids also give rise to the wide range of
blue, green, purple, and brownish colors of marine life. Complexes of carotenoids and proteins,
known as carotenoproteins and carotenolipoproteins, dominate in the exoskeleton of crustaceans,
coelenterata, and many other marine species. Although astaxanthin itself appears as a red
pigment, when it is complexed with various proteins the light absorbency shifts which results in
green, yellow, blue and brown colors. This is demonstrated by the appearance of the red color
when crustaceans are cooked, which is the result of the denaturation of the proteins and release of
the astaxanthin chromophore. The American lobster, Homarus americanus, displays an
abundance of green colors but also with shades of black, red and blue which is almost entirely
astaxanthin complexed with protein and chitin. Astaxanthin at over 90% purity has been
identified from the blue goose barnacle within the inner and outer body tissues as well as the ripe
eggs. The green astaxanthin protein of lobsters, ovoverdin, persists unchanged until shortly
before the eggs hatch whereby the protein moiety is then released, liberating astaxanthin.
Ubiquity of Astaxanthin in the Marine Environment
In the marine environment phytoplankton are the primary production level of carotenoids.
The oceans phytoplankton constitute the worlds most prolific biochemical factory, estimated at
over 40 billion metric tons of matter by dry weight annually. A conservative estimate of only
0.01% of this quantity represents the carotenoid content of this biomass, which is equivalent to
several hundred millions tons of these pigments produced each year. Phytoplankton are ingested
by zooplankton or crustaceans such as krill, and in turn become prey for salmon or trout which
deposit the characteristic red carotenoid, astaxanthin, into their flesh. Ornamental fish obtain
carotenoids from feeding upon algae, coral or prey that has accumulated these pigments.
The copepod and euphausid microcrustaceans are by far the most abundant of all marine
animals and act as the primary food for a wide variety of larger animals. Astaxanthin and
tunaxanthin, either as a complexed or non-complexed form, appear to be the most abundant
carotenoids found in all marine animals. The sponge Axinella crista-galla contains predominately
astaxanthin as a non-complexed form and displays a radiant red color. Interestingly, the blue
colors of Velella and Porpita jellyfish are due to astaxanthin carotenoprotein complexes which
shifts the absorbed light pattern to appear bluish. When this blue protein material is denatured by
heating or treatment with alcohol, the blue color disappears and the red astaxanthin fraction is
liberated. Evidence now indicates that either free or conjugated carotenoids are associated with
every branch of the coelenterate phylum, though sometimes is not apparent in white species until
red eggs are produced. Carotenoids are not confined to the soft tissue parts, as astaxanthin is
found firmly bonded to the calcareous skeleton in hydrocoral species, gorgonians and horny corals
such as the sea fan. The purple hydrocoral of Southern California, Allopora californica, owes its
prevailing blue color to a complex of astaxanthin, protein and calcium (Ronneberg et al., 1978).
The crimson-colored skeleton of Distichopora violacea, the pinkish-red skeleton of D. coccinea
and the orange skeleton of D. nitida all contain various complexes of pure astaxanthin. The
major species of Stylaster coral, including S. rosea, the pinkish-orange S. elegans and S.
sanguineus contain nearly pure astaxanthin bonded in the skeleton. The bright red integument as
well as the pyloric caeca digestive apparatus of many asteroids is primarily astaxanthin. These
include the sand star, Astropecten californicus, the webbed star Patiria miniata, the red-tipped
spines of Astrometis sertulifera, and the large colorful predators Pisaster ochraceus and P.
giganteus. The purple pigmented slug, Flabellinopsis, contains astaxanthin exclusively, which is
traceable to its principle prey, the hydroid Eudendrium ramosum. Similar examples are found in
numerous species of serpent stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and molluscs.
Role of Carotenoids in Marine Animals
The luminous carotenoid colors of tropical fish are not only keys for species
identification and mating signals, they have significant physiological roles as well. The use of
carotenoids as pigments in aquaculture is well documented, and it appears their broader
functions include a role as an antioxidant, provitamin A activity, immune enhancement,
hormone, reproduction, growth, maturation, and photoprotection. The sand-burrowing shrimp,
Emerita analoga, feeds upon algae and detritus within the sand layers. It has been found that
the seasonal astaxanthin levels in the carapace and eggs parallels the exposure to sunlight,
indicating that the carotenoids serve to protect external proteins and eggs from ultraviolet
exposure. An extensive body of data stresses the vital role of carotenoids in the physiology and
overall health and concludes that carotenoids are essential nutrients that are required in all
aquatic diets. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A, which is required for the biochemical
processes involved in vision. Furthermore, vitamin A plays an important role in the growth,
development, and integrity of mucous surfaces. However, the majority of research concerning
astaxanthin and other carotenoids has been aimed at its role in photoprotection and as an
antioxidant in quenching of oxygen radicals.
Some species only asimilate astaxanthin and not other carotenoids. The brightly colored
anemone, Metridium, with its plumed tentacles and extensible column is one of the more
spectacular forms of this organism. It too, varies in shades of brown, yellow, orange and red
but contains predominately astaxanthin esters in the somatic and ovarian tissues. Large adult
females are raised in segregated aquariums simulating natural conditions and fed chowdered
white fish muscle supplemented with various carotenoids. Ova samples were taken by syringe
through a hollow needle from the animal's enteron and analyzed at various times. When these
animals were fed a supplement of beta-carotene or zeaxanthin as the sole carotenoid, they
absorbed the pigment through their digestive tubules but failed to assimilate it into developing
ova or tissue, which resulted in colorless ova. However, when astaxanthin was administered
into the diets the carotenoid was esterified and transported to the ripening ova which then
pigmented red. The astaxanthin then acts as a antioxidant and photoprotectant for the
developing eggs.
Astaxanthin also comprises the bulk of the carotenoids in salmonids (salmon and trout),
crustaceans (shrimp, krill, crawfish), and many coelenterates, echinodermata, and tropical fish.
The abundant deposits of astaxanthin the liver of the ribbon-like oarfish Regalicus glesne,
lumpsucker Cyclopterus lumpus and in the skin, flesh and eggs of Salmo and Oncorhyncus are all
result from their diet of various small crustaceans. The marine dorado Beryx decadactylus stores
astaxanthin in the skin, mouth, gills, and iris of the eyes. The red varieties of the goldfish,
Carassius auratus, also stores significant quantities of astaxanthin in the skin, which can be
increased by inclusion of carotenoid in an artificial diet. This species oxidizes lutein, zeaxanthin
and beta-carotene to astaxanthin esters and deposits in the skin at a level of about 45% of the
total carotenoids, whereas esterified 4-ketolutein comprises about 41%. The California sheephead
Pimelometopan pulchrum is an unusual sequential hermaphrodite, and also has the ability to
biochemically convert tunaxanthin and zeaxanthin into esterified astaxanthin before deposition
into its deep red skin.
Use of NatuRose in Artificial Diets
Marine animals have a constant source of carotenoids from their diet to maintain their
pigmentation. However, captive animals are typically fed artificial diets that are poor or
completely lacking in these critical carotenoids. The anemone Actinia equina exists in red,
brown and green varieties. Specimens that are denied food or raised from the egg stage with a
carotenoid-free diet lack pigmentation. However, when carotenoids are fed back to these
depleted animals they regain their natural characteristic colors. The initially red animals recovered
their red color and the green and brown forms resumed storage of their respective pigments.
These experiments demonstrate not only that pigmentation involves genetic factors, but also that
carotenoids have metabolic turnover and must be supplied in the diet to be maintained in the
animals.
One of the greatest challenges in the tropical marine ornamental industry is to accurately
replicate the natural color of fish that are maintained in the captive environment. Numerous
operations that have mastered the art and science of propagation have failed to successfully
market their fish due to faded colors. Various products have been introduced to alleviate this
problem, but none of these has performed as effectively and consistently as natural astaxanthin
produced from Haematococcus algae. On a commercial scale, inclusion rates of as low as 30 ppm
astaxanthin from NatuRose was used on a daily basis in over 600 aquariums of fresh and salt
water fishes as a supplement to live and flake foods. A significant improvement in color could be
seen in most species of tetras, cichlids, gouramis, goldfish, koi, danios, as well as many other
species. Stocks of over 50,000 individual fishes were as healthy and vigorous as ever, if not more
so, since the initiation of the large-scale program (Aquarium Center, Inc. of Randallstown
Maryland). NatuRose added to feeds of 40 day old Amphiprion ocellaris caused a dramatic
enhancement of color and market value after only 10 days (Reef Propagations Inc.). The largest
breeder of marine ornamentals in the world augments their own feeds with NatuRose to enhance
pigmentation and fertility.
At a fish farm in Kapa'au, Hawaii, NatuRose at 25 ppm astaxanthin was mixed into
Moore Clarke 'Nutra Starter Feed' and fed to Red Velvet Swordtails and Neon Green Swordtails.
By the fifth feeding, pigmentation is noticeably improved and by 30 days the color has achieved
market quality. Feed not supplemented with NatuRose did not meet market quality standards.
Further feeding trials in Kaunakakai, Hawaii using NatuRose mixed into Rangen Trout Swim-Up
feed, demonstrated excellent efficacy in Rosy Barbs, Cichlids, gouramis, koi, and Red Velvet
Swordtails.
In a recently published study, 100 ppm astaxanthin was incorporated into the diet of clown
anemone fish, Amphripion ocellaris and Premnas biaculeatus. Within one week the yellow and
maroon colors of the cultured clownfish intensified significantly. The black stripes of the A.
ocellaris were particularly striking which were likely due to astaxanthin carotenoproteins.
Subsequently, 1% Haematococcus algae meal was used to augment the diet of red velvet
swordtails, rainbowfish, 24K mollies, topaz cichlids, discus, rainbow sharks, pink kissing
gouramis, and rosy barbs. Within one week, each of the species had significant improvements in
pigmentation and some had better growth rates. Although a high concentration of Haematococcus
algae was used in the feed, many producers prefer an acute pigmentation treatment to prepare fish
for the market quickly. Much lower dosages can be effectively used to maintain pigmentation
(Ako, 1999).
Since NatuRose is an concentrated natural astaxanthin powder, it can be incorporated into
any type of food delivery system such as dry flake, crumble or frozen food. Thus, formulations
can be made using the preferred food and application of the grower that has already been tested
and accepted. When feeds are to be manufactured, a measured amount of NatuRose is added,
similar to using a premix. NatuRose can be added directly to a semi-moist granulated food with
good adherence and very little wash-off upon feeding. Aquarium Center Inc. mixes 1 part of
NatuRose to 500 parts of a cooked food preparation (30 ppm astaxanthin) which is a mixture of
fresh ingredients including beef liver, whole eggs, wheat germ and Spirulina powder. Good
distribution within the mixture will ensure consistency within the final feed. Depending on the
application, NatuRose containing 1.5% astaxanthin (15,000 ppm) is generally incorporated into
feeds at a final concentration of 45-90 ppm (3-6 grams/kg of feed).
As all carotenoids, astaxanthin is sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen so precautions should
be taken to protect this carotenoid from oxidation. NatuRose is manufactured with antioxidants
to enhance the stability of the carotenoids, and is shipped in sealed foil laminate bags or bottles
which contain a packet of the oxygen absorber, Ageless. Foil bags or bottles should be kept at
room temperature (72F/22C) or cooler to allow maximum stability during storage. The unused
portion of the foil bag should be sealed and stored under the proper conditions to protect against
light, heat and oxygen. Packets of Ageless can be removed and disposed after opening foil bags.
Pelleting of feeds offers the optimal conditions of low heat and oxygen exposure and losses of
astaxanthin are as low as 1-4%. The extrusion process popular with many feed manufacturers is
also compatible with NatuRose and losses generally range from 4-12%. NatuRose is very stable
in oils, top-coating (top-dressing) of pellets with a NatuRose/oil mixture has also proven
successful.
(German Peacocks before and after NatuRose supplementation in their diet. Photo courtesy of
David Ivancic)
Fresh feeds are often made by aquaculturists raising tropical fish or crustacean broodstock
in a batch fashion and the unused portion is frozen. NatuRose can be blended directly into these
feeds and will offer excellent stability while stored as refrigerated or frozen. Used with the proper
storage and handling conditions, NatuRose will yield excellent stability and provide a superior
source of natural astaxanthin for koi, fresh water and marine ornamentals.
Ako H., and Tamaru C.S. (1999) Are Feeds for food Fish Practical for Aquarium fish? Intl. Aqua
Feeds 2, 30-36.
D'Abramo Louis R. 1997. Crustacean Nutrition. Advances in World Aquaculture, Volume 6.
World Aquaculture Society. Louisiana State University. Baton Rouge, LA.
Fox, D. Biochromy. Natural Coloration of Living things. 1979. University of California Press,
Ltd. London, England.
Ronneberg, H. G. Borch, D. Fox, and S. Liaaen Jensen. 1979. Animal carotenoids 19. Alloporin,
a new carotenoprotein. Comp. Biochem. Physiol.
NatuRoseä Technical Bulletin #054 Revision Date: October 2, 2000
Contact: Dr. R. Todd Lorenz
Cyanotech Corporation
Phone: ########
FAX: #########
Email: #########
www.cyanotech.com
ã R. Todd Lorenz 2000

[Dead Fish Floating]

yep nice cut and paste,

Astaxanthin, a member of the carotenoid family, is part of a nutritious diet—for lobsters and shrimp. These crustaceans bind astaxanthin to the protein β-crustacyanin, which changes the shape of the astaxanthin molecules, turning them a gray-blue color. Cooking releases the molecules, returning them to their original bright red color.

http://www.chemistry.org/portal/a/c/s/1/acsdisplay.html?DOC=HomeMolecule%5Carchive%5Cmotw_astaxanthin_arch.html

All non-organic chicken feed contains yellow colouring, either astaxanthin or castaxanthin to enrich the colour of the yolk.

http://www.sustainability.com/publications/other/new-foods-guide-more2.asp

Perhaps the white crane is a blend stronger in castaxanthin? either way both astax and castax are probably ingredients.
Not as if it's the only blend to contain them either  ;)

We have been working for several years on the alga Haematococcus which is a
good source of astaxanthin and have taken the process to pilot scale. Is
there any interested in a 'natural' source of astaxanthin?

We also have an alga which contains a mixture of astaxanthin and
canthaxanthin in quite high concentration. This alga may be cheaper to
produce than Haematococcus however I am not sure how desirable and.or
acceptable canthaxanthin is as a salmon pigmeter.

http://killick.mi.mun.ca/aqua-l.archive/aqua-l.9509

With yellows it's when they come off the colour food that problems usually start.
Really close to melanophore migration in fish wounds healing. The pigment choke points and leaves a darker mark.
Hey thats just my experience with the stuff. Have nuked fish with different combos many times.
And seen many a strange colour stain linger for a little while.
Yellows seem to suffer more (and more obviously) from this than any other fish.
Thats my experience yours sounds much nicer.
Personally I think spirulina and a gel food of blended crusty shells works best for Africans,
to get colour happening along normal routes.
Feeding end pigments is lazy, but it produces excellent results.
Your fish can make these substances if given the raw materials.
Or you can just load them up with it.

I never want to mention names because of the stigma placed on white crane.
But its not just the n00bs that use it.
Don't overdo it and you can still breed well.
Go neon with colour food loading and you get less breeding.



Gavin not sure what you mean about the picture.
Yes feeding astax or castax can cause whole tanks of africans to display dominant colours at once.
Thats why it is so popular with people who want a pretty display.
Even female peacocks look spectacular after a couple of weeks.

Let alone a prize hybrid rubin red male.

[Dead Fish Floating]

One more thing......
Has anyone managed to pinpoint exactly what PSB stands for in the ingredients?
Is it ' phosphate solubilizing bacteria ' or 'photosynthetic bacteria' or a 'bacterial disinfectant'?
All seems a little too simple.....

[SaltSpraySandwich]

It appears to be Photosynthetic Bacteria.  This is from an ingredient description of a food brand Azoo: 

*PSB: Highly nutritious Photosynthetic Bacteria is added to brighten up the body color.
*Vibrant Colors: Krill, Spirulina, PSB that contain red pigment of shrimp, carotenoids and all-natural pigments are added. It makes the body color of fish brighter and naturally vibrant.

Here is a very detailed discussion on this subject with plenty of links:

http://www.cichlid-forum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=95302&highlight=

DFF... can you share some more of your experiences with nuking fish? I've been seaching the web for astax making females look like males in dimorphic cichlids, and have not found a thing.