CA/SA Cichlid Feeding

[duanes]

I believe one of the problems, beyond overfeeding, with the Heros', is a the type food.
In nature, Hero's are primarily vegetarian, and the majority of the diet listed, is not.
If it were me, I'd do the opposite of what's listed, with veggies the majority of the week, and protein only 2 days.
In fact when you look at the list, the SDs, are also primarily vegetarians, and the rest of the list are omnivorous, not pure carnivores.

 

[Rocksor]

I would go to using New Life Spectrum Algaemax as the main pellet. Feeding it 50% of the time for primarily vegetarian fish. I found a huge difference in fish like Green Terrors, who have longer poo, almost like plecos.

 

[Dippiedee]

I believe one of the problems, beyond overfeeding, with the Heros', is a the type food.
In nature, Hero's are primarily vegetarian, and the majority of the diet listed, is not.
If it were me, I'd do the opposite of what's listed, with veggies the majority of the week, and protein only 2 days.
In fact when you look at the list, the SDs, are also primarily vegetarians, and the rest of the list are omnivorous, not pure carnivores.

The severum, dollars, BN and on occasion EBA are the only ones that eat veggies when I put them in. The convict will fight with the spoon for a bit but she won't eat the zucchini (or peas, cucumber, pumpkin, carrot; whatever I happen to feed)

How often would you recommend I should feed veggies? At present I feed veggies twice a week normally

 

[Dippiedee]

Huh... Well I stand corrected

I hadn't tried broccoli before but its a huge hit with everyone so I obviously just need to try different veggies

 

[duanes]

Given the option, if I could eat a marbled and barbecued T bone steak every day......I'd probably do it.
But would it be the best thing for my health?
Probably end up with clogged arteries and a serious case of gout.

And fish, because they come from feast or feminine world most of the time in nature, will almost always instinctually eagerly attack a protein rich source when available.
But fish, especially those that have evolved to live as vegetarians, can end up with fatty liver disease, bloat, and other maladies just like we do, so feeding accordingly to natural dietmay be the best option. The pellet mentioned above (Algaemax) is a great suggestion.
Most vegetarian species will graze all day, like cattle, and have a much longer digestive tract than piscivores, which allows them to get the most out of these fiber rich sources, so they don't have a shut off valve to tell them to stop.

An X-ray of the primary vegetarian, Cincelichthys pearsei above.
My Andinoacara (cousin of GTs) below being offered a ball of hair algae, I purposely grow in sumps.

 

[Dippiedee]

Most vegetarian species will graze all day, like cattle, and have a much longer digestive tract than piscivores, which allows them to get the most out of these fiber rich sources, so they don't have a shut off valve to tell them to stop.

That explains a lot. The steak analogy is good point too.

Okay so should I switch over to algaemax from cichlid gold completely or feed both? And should I start giving them access to fresh veggies to graze on everyday or?

 

[Rocksor]

That explains a lot. The steak analogy is good point too.

Okay so should I switch over to algaemax from cichlid gold completely or feed both? And should I start giving them access to fresh veggies to graze on everyday or?

TBH, you can finish off your bag of Cichlid gold, just feed less often and use veggies. Once you are out of Cichlid gold, switch to Algaemax. I hate to waste fish food unless it's made by Wardley.

 

[Dippiedee]

TBH, you can finish off your bag of Cichlid gold, just feed less often and use veggies. Once you are out of Cichlid gold, switch to Algaemax. I hate to waste fish food unless it's made by Wardley.

Okay got it thank you

 

[duanes]

TBH, you can finish off your bag of Cichlid gold, just feed less often and use veggies. Once you are out of Cichlid gold, switch to Algaemax. I hate to waste fish food unless it's made by Wardley.

Agree

 

[Dippiedee]

Quick question; can I feed apple and/or banana?