Cichlid diets

[Americancichlids]

I made this thread more broad so if other people have questions they can post on this one. But concerning cichlid diets my question is can you feed to much live food to predatory cichlids? Such as my Motaguense. Him and the Flowerhorn go after Nightcrawlers like it is life or death. Just when I thought they were crazy eaters over pellets. They go ballistic for live food. Anyways for species such as them I still understand a healthy diet is varied, but how much live food can I feed them. I also want to take into consideration the preservation of good water quality when feeding them such food. Thank you guys in advance!
-Americancichlids

 

[Buphy]

I love doing live food but the main consern is the health of the live food. Unless you get it your self or keep it quarantined you run the risk of introducing unwanted bacteria and the likes to your tank. If I could ever figure out how to put a video on here from my phone is share my JD going ballistic when I put a bag of feeders in.

 

[Americancichlids]

I love doing live food but the main consern is the health of the live food. Unless you get it your self or keep it quarantined you run the risk of introducing unwanted bacteria and the likes to your tank. If I could ever figure out how to put a video on here from my phone is share my JD going ballistic when I put a bag of feeders in.

I buy the night crawlers I use them as bait for bluegill when I fish, but I read they are 100% safe for cichlids just have to rinse them. And I haven't tried crickets but my LFS sells crickets and I might try those too. And some veggies. I would love to get them off pellets and feed them varied, and fresh foods if it can be healthy and not mess up the water quality I only have a few fish mouths to feed so the cost is not going to be a big deal. Especially if they can have lots of worms and crickets (live foods) because I would for sure try and breed them!

 

[Buphy]

Just make sure you can remove the plants. That's the problem I think I'm having now. I have a moss ball and some potted live plants and it's making it hell for me to starve my JD and EBJD to switch them to pellets. I spoiled them with bloodworms, kril and beef heart (and feeders) and now they won't touch pellets.

 

[Americancichlids]

Just make sure you can remove the plants. That's the problem I think I'm having now. I have a moss ball and some potted live plants and it's making it hell for me to starve my JD and EBJD to switch them to pellets. I spoiled them with bloodworms, kril and beef heart (and feeders) and now they won't touch pellets.

I have fake plants LOL! but for my 75 I might eventually try some live plants. And Your Male JD looks sweet! Is he pretty mean? I had a male back in 2010 that was really peaceful and had nice coloration, looked just like yours except smaller. I have tried to keep more JD's but I have bad luck with them. Every JD I get is Hyper-Aggressive. One in particular killed everything I kept with him, got rid of him though

 

[Buphy]

Most docile in the tank actually. My Bleekeri stays in his cave and chases everyone else off and my EBJD has an unpresidented additude and a mean set of 4 bottom teeth. Need to get a good camera to show those off =P

 

[Americancichlids]

Most docile in the tank actually. My Bleekeri stays in his cave and chases everyone else off and my EBJD has an unpresidented additude and a mean set of 4 bottom teeth. Need to get a good camera to show those off =P

I think the JD calm down once they get a bit older, your EBJD the king?

 

[Buphy]

Pretty much. It's all gill flaring and... Idk how to describe it, wiggling? Basically the JD just goes to the other side and the bleekeri backs up alittle but stays in his territory (loves his cave). They never lock jaws though.

 

[Buphy]

Anyways, we're completely off topic! My bleekeri does the pellets but my JD and EBJD won't touch em. Think they finished off one of the moss balls while I was gone on vacation trying to starve them.

 

[xraycer]

I would love to get them off pellets and feed them varied, and fresh foods if it can be healthy and not mess up the water quality I only have a few fish mouths to feed so the cost is not going to be a big deal. Especially if they can have lots of worms and crickets (live foods) because I would for sure try and breed them!

What's wrong with feeding them a combination of pellets and live? But....if you want to just go the live route, then breed your own worms and crickets. Both are super easy to breed. Worms eats veggies so your fish will be getting their greens via that route, and if you feed your crickets quality fish pellets, like NLS, they'll be getting all the benefits of that when they consume the crickets.