Can I feed my Jack Dempsey Imitation Crab meat?

[Red Devil]

I would normall agree, but in this case "Imitation" is just reffering to it tasting like something else other than fish. And the fillers (i just googled them) all see fine, no crazy chemicals or nothing. But I'm not gonna give him any more, maybe one more small peice since he liked it so much.

EDIT" above is actually what I saw when I googled, although that is alot of processing, non of the ingrediant are alarming. And the ingrediants on cichlid pellets is crazy which I'm sure takes alot of proccessing too.

As for raw seafood from store, do I need to worry about him getting salmanella or other stuff we can get from eating non-sushi grade raw fish or are they immune? And if so, and they are immune, and salmanella was on a fish, would it live in the water and possible infect me?

i think that is the best way to go..just because of the fillers i would stay away from it.. and your right there are probably plenty ingredients in pellets that are only needed for processing, not for nutritional reasons..there is always a concern for salmanella ..just getting on the untensils or if you put your fingers near your mouth or eyes after handling... just make sure fish is fresh or freeze it when it is fresh and use it as you need it.. take small amounts and put in freezer bags and use one at a time..also good idea to rinse off even fresh fish under cold water...

 

[Sab_Fan]

faux crab is made from real fish, but then they throw in all kinds of chemicals and dyes, so I probably wouldn't do it . . . I doubt it would do any harm, but I also doubt it would be especially good either . . .

 

[Maduro]

my 2 cents on this...if it's natural and frozen or fresh...go ahead and try. If it has ANY additives pass on it. Additives are not good for your fish or your filter system.

 

[brown2010]

I would'nt. Its not straight cod. They only use pollock because it has little flavor. All those starches and crap they put in it to give it the "texture" of crab cant be good for a dempsey.
On the other hand cichlids can eat about anything. I just hate that fake crab meat. Taste like death. Thats why i cant see any going into my fish tank. If your fish are starving, do it. If not, go purchase some fish food, or real human food fish can eat. Or just make your own pellets and add some fake crab so you dont waste it all.
Theres a big difference between mussels, raw fish, clams, shrimp..... then theres fake crab, I dont trust it.

 

[eatingleg4peanut]

UPDATE: well...I ended up giving him more than I though I would, and he just ate the rest of it yesterday. No ill effects at all...so far. He went bonkers over it, the only other meat I give him (besides the rare feeder fish) is tilapia, which he eats but sometimes with spit it out(the suck and blow effect). With immitation crab meat if even a tiny piece fell out of his mouth he was on it like white on rice. Although I probably wont be buying it for him specifically, nor for myself since I dont like it to much, I dont think its toxic, but if he suddenly explodes or something I will let you know.

 

[Cookie*]

Wow, no one really seems to like the faux crab. I think that stuff tastes fantastic. I cannot say I'd give it to my fish tho.

 

[Red Devil]

Wow, no one really seems to like the faux crab. I think that stuff tastes fantastic. I cannot say I'd give it to my fish tho.

i love it... a little celery and onion and mayo with lettuce on a hard roll..yummy, and fat free and low cal too

 

[Allan01230]

Man that stuff is tasty but I would not give it to my fish. All they get is NLS pellets and HBH flake.

 

[devder1]

The flaky, red-edged faux crab in your seafood salad or California roll is most likely made of Alaska Pollock. Also called Walleye Pollock, Snow Cod, or Whiting, this fish is abundant in the Bering Sea near Alaska and can also be found along the central California coast and in the Sea of Japan. Pollock has a very mild flavor, making it ideal for the processing and artificial flavoring of imitation crab. While Pollock is the most common fish used to make fake crab, New Zealand Hoki is also used, and some Asian manufacturers use Southeast Asian fish like Golden Treadfin Bream and White Croaker.

The processing of imitation crabmeat begins with the skinning and boning of the fish. Then the meat is minced and rinsed, and the water is leached out. This creates a thick paste called surimi. The word means "minced fish" in Japanese, and the essential techniques for making it were developed in Japan over 800 years ago. Surimi is commonly used in Japan to make a type of fish ball or cake called kamaboko. In 1975, a method for processing imitation crabmeat from surimi was invented in Japan, and in 1983, American companies started production.
Many ingredients are added to the surimi to give it a stable form, appealing texture, and crab-like flavor. Sugar, sorbitol, wheat or tapioca starch, egg whites, and vegetable or soybean oil can all help improve the form of the surimi. Natural and artificial crab flavorings are added, and some of these flavorings are made from real crab or from boiled shells. Carmine, caramel, paprika, and annatto extract are often used to make the crab's red, orange, or pink coloring. Imitation crab is cooked, which helps set the surimi and give it the final texture and appearance. Nutritionally speaking, surimi is not that different from real crab, although it is lower in cholesterol. It is also used for bait in fishing.... i just don't know with all this processing...

great read liz