Monster 9mm Pellet
Xtreme 9mm Monster is a 9mm pellet that fish might just jump out of the pond to get. For those really big fish, 9mm Monster Pellets will keep them from looking hungrily at small animals and children. Maybe not for the family aquarium, but perfect for Koi, Dovi, Cintrinellum, Nandopsishaitienisi and other "Monster" varieties. Note to breeders. We use these pellets to feed new born fry...it sinks to the bottom and they can nibble at it...and it doesn't foul the tank! Available in 8.8oz, 16oz, 40oz (2.5lbs) and 64oz (4lb) containers.
Ingredients
Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Wheat Middlings, Wheat, Shrimp Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Wheat Flour, Distillers Dried Grains with Soluables, Brewers Dried Yeast, Spirulina, Monosodium Phosphate, Paprika, Limestone, Xanthophyll, Fish Oil, Lecithin, Salt, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, di-Alph Tocopheryl Acetate(Vitamin E Supplement), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin, Niacin, Caldium Pantothenate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex(source of Vitamin K activity), Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Manganese Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Iron Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Canthaxanthin, Astaxanthin, Beta Carotene Guaranteed Analysis: Protein 38% min, Fat 5% min, Fiber 4.5% max, Moisture 10% max.
Note: While we currently do not have personal confirmation from the manufacturer that Xtreme Aquatic Foods does not utilize Ethoxyquin in their foods, additional research does indicate Xtreme Aquatic foods are Ethoxyquin free. For additional details on Ethoxyquin, please read
Fish Food Ingredients Analysis.
Ingredient Analysis
A review of the ingredient list identifies mostly positives extreme enough to justify the name of the product. Use of "meals" ndicates ingredients are listed at their dry weight so the order in which they are listed is accurate, with Krill Meal being the primary ingredient. Krill is an excellent source of protein and Omega 3 as well as being perhaps the best source of astaxanthin available. Astaxanthin is known for its color enhancing properties, proven to drastically improve red coloration. But not only does this pellet contain astaxanthin in the form of krill meal, it is also added as a supplement, as are numerous vitamins and minerals. A very good ingredient list indicating a high protein product that will significantly enhance red coloration.
Krill, as the primary ingredients, also more closely simulates the natural diet of Oscars than does fish meal. For additional details on an Oscar fish specific diet, please review
Oscar Fish Diet – Feeding Oscars..
What prevents me from classifying this as a "great" food is the use of fish meal (as opposed to a named fish, such as "Salmon Meal") and the absence of the word "whole" (as in "Whole Fish Meal"). An ideal food would consist of meal comprised of the whole fish, with that fish being identified. Absence of the word "whole" and without the type of fish identified, it can be safely assumed that the "fish meal" used in the manufacture of this food are the scraps left over after the remainder of the fish has been processed for other uses. In other words, the "fish meal" consists primarily (and potentially exclusively) of scales, skins, and bones. In addition, the ingredient list follows a practice known as product splitting, with three different wheat products listed. When combined, "wheat" may very well be the primary ingredient.