My Fish Won't Eat Their Veggies

[Razor7Music]

Hello--

I'm reading up that one of the most common diseases for my type of fish is bloat that can be caused by too much protein in their diet--among other things.

Well I read that they would eat a little Romain lettuce and on two different occasions I have put little bits of lettuce in there and they pick at it until they realize what it is and then I end up having to scoop it out with a net because they won't eat it.

Their main diet is cichlid flakes, although their appears to be less animal protein in the Top Fin tropical flakes I alternate giving them.

Can anyone tell me how they get their African cichlids to eat vegetables? What kid of vegetables?

Thanks,

 

[all_or_nothin]

if u use feeders u could gut load them but its sometimes not a good idea to use feeders

 

[cchhcc]

First it depends on what type of Africans you keep -- not all are herbivores. Most, in fact, are omnivorous to some degree.

The important things is to minimize UNdigestible proteins, or those that are difficult to process for some fish. You can find some very good prepared foods for all Africans. New Life Spectrum pellets are very safe and digestible, and Omega makes a great veggie flake.

Regarding romaine, etc. just clip an entire leaf to a rock or a feeding clip and let them graze at their leisure.

 

[Razor7Music]

I have an omnivore or two, and those are the ones that are susceptible to bloat from too much protein.

I appreciate the advice on tying a leaf down. I've just been putting little bite size pieces in there.

Thanks all,

 

[tydus]

What kind of fish you have? I usually start my cichlids very young when I feed them veggies. As they grow, they get used to it, so it becomes a habit.

 

[Blue2Fyre]

You could try difference veggies. Mine didn't care for spinach so I tried cucumbers. They liked that a bit more but it was messy then I moved to romaine lettuce. I just stick a whole leaf in there and use a clip to attach it to the top of the tank. They strip the whole thing.
You could try feeding them a little less or skipping a day of food then trying the veggies. If they are hungry they'll nimble at it then decide it's actually food.

 

[Will Hayward]

You don't necessarily have to feed veggies, so much as use a food with plant protein rather than meat protein.

 

[NotoriousSway]

As suggested if you feed them less they will be more likely to eat some veggies. Its a good idea with the type of fish you have to let them go one day a week without eating to clear their digestive system but its not necessary. I know mine wont touch any veggie if they have eaten that day.

Also as suggested if you are using a good quality fish food like New Life Spectrum feeding any other food is not necessary.

 

[Pittbull]

Mix it up a bit feed NLS 1mm cichlid pellets and a cichlid flake like Omega one cichlid flake at night..

Then feed a veggie flake like Omega one super veggie in the morning you could also use a veggie pellet as well..

Just keep an eye on the ingredients on the back of your food container.. foods these days are a good source of veggies when you buy the right foods that list their ingredients first like spirulina or kelp at the beginning..

 

[NotoriousSway]

Just keep an eye on the ingredients on the back of your food container.. foods these days are a good source of veggies when you buy the right foods that list their ingredients first like spirulina or kelp at the beginning..

This is a great point, always check the ingredients. Many veggie flakes/pellets will have fish meal as there first ingredients.