Having recently purchased a colony of Tropheus which had been fed OSI spirulina flakes, I attended a LFS seeking to buy same.
They did not stock that particular brand and recommended to me Sera flora vegetable diet flakes (which incidentally has a picture of a Tropheus on the label)
I purchased this product on their advice but on reading the label - see that these flakes are 46.2% crude protein - which I understand should be avoided for Tropheus.
The store concerned told me that this was a completely natural vegetable product but I also noted on the label that it contains fish meal, wheat meal and a lot of other vegetable products and is only 10% spirulina algae which is what I originally went to the shop to buy.
Another ingredient which is described as a "colorant" is Ponceau 4R - and on looking this up on the net - the following is how it is described.....
"A red synthetic coal tar or azo dye found in dessert toppings, jelly, salami, seafood dressings, tinned strawberries and fruit pie fillings and packeted cake mixes, cheesecakes, soups and trifles.
It appears to cause allergic and/or intolerance reactions particularly amongst those with an aspirin intolerance or asthmatics. Carcinogen in animals.
Not recommended for consumption by children.
The Hyperactive Childrens Support Group belive that a link exists between this additive and hyperactive behavioural disorders in children.
It is banned in Norway and the United States."
Needles to say this food was quite expensive - and I was wondering if other tropheus keepers or breeders have had any experience with this product or its additives.
I will be reluctant to feed it to my Tropheus (or any other fish for that matter) without seeking further advice.
Your assistance would be appreciated.
Thanking you
Kind regards
I have heard of people using it for tropheus, not me personally though so i wont comment on if its worth using or not.
I will tell you what i feed mine though, 1 feeding a day of New Life Spectrum cichlid formula, and 1 feeding of HBH Veggie 8. And after 2 months now with the new life spectrum, i reacon the colour is about 60% brighter.
i feed mine on Sera have done since i bought them about 10 months ago never had a problem also throw a lettice leaf in whole and they graze from this as well. matter of fact i would recommend Sera Flora forr them. even my frontys get some every week they go crazy over it. and all my fish breed regular
Thank you gasnitro and someone for your response ...
I also feed my Tropheus Duboisi on Spectrum Cichlid formula - in fact, all my cichlids are fed this as a basic staple food.
gasnitro - when you say you feed even your fronnies on it every week - does that mean you only feed the Sera veggie diet once a week???
I was just keen to feed the new Tropheus Moorii Moliro on the same food that they were fed from the previous owner.... they are a breeding colony and have been breeding well on a diet of the Spectrum cichlid plus the OSI spirulina flake.
If I were to change them to the Sera veggie diet, how would often should I feed it initally to change them over and would there be sufficient spirulina algae in this to keep them healthy??
Your advice is appreciated - I will certainly try the lettuce leaf as well.
Thanking you
Regards
I wouldnt bother with lettuce, it has basically no nutrional value at all.
I have been feeding my tropheus ( all fish actually) sera flora for about 3 years now, and all is good,
in the last few months i started feeding them nls pellets in the morning and sera flora at night
At least for one meal in a week all my breedrs get Sera Flora flake they love it also its good for them . and for the lettece i'd rather see them attact it than each other and yes i have done this ever since i had these fish. it is not there diet. i feed them twice a day with the lettece as a side dish. and as we have lettece in the fridge for our nutrition i pass it onto my fish. not saying what to do, just letting you know what i do.
i have gotten up to ten fry from one girl [Chimpmbi] :D
so i will keep doing what i am doing
all my tropheus and other veggie lovers get straight up flora- all good- have done for years, it is the best around. i can get hold of it if you're keen :)
I think there are better ways to stop aggresion than lettuce, but if it works for you then keep doing it.
Ill put my money on NLS, actually good timing as my 6 month old colony of dubiosi just got there first mouthfull this morning.
I think there are better ways to stop aggresion than lettuce, but if it works for you then keep doing it.
Ill put my money on NLS, actually good timing as my 6 month old colony of duboisi just got there first mouthfull this morning.