I've always been personally a healthy eater, I read my own food labels. And since my fish are my kids, I'm even more picky. I'm willing to try most brands at least once, after reading the label if I like what I see. Hikari excel I'm very impressed with as a floating pellet. I've seen some very nice growth on my juvi oscar, without needing to really suppliment more protein intentionally. though he does steal some of the needle fish's minnows, and the fire eels frozen bloodworms. I've also starting giveing my Bichirs it and really like the natural color and size they are gaining as well. ON prime reef is the only food I carry that is more marine based the fw based. I try and feed my fish as close to their natural foods, particularly the concept of giveing FW fish FW foods. earthworms, blackworms, minnows. a low ash content and I stay away from color enhanceing foods like hikari gold, not because I've personally had problems with it. But because I think natural coloration of my fish can better be acheived by a varied and HQ diet almost exclusively. If i'de eat it.. It gets tossed into the tank for my fish to try.