NLS experts, feeding differnt formulas?

[David R]

So it is generally accepted than NLS is one of the best foods available in the hobby, but one thing that has struck me is the similarity of the ingredients between all the different formulas. Currently I'm feeding my group of Geophagus altifrons a staple of NLS Thera A (along with some tetramin flake as I bought a 2kg bucket of it, which appears to be bottomless! and occasionally frozens like brine shrimp and bloodworms), and I'm wondering if there is any benefit in mixing it up a bit and feeding some of their other 1mm sinking options like the Cichlid Formula, Community Formula and All Purpose Formula? The labels aren't a little vague, I know variety is good but it really doesn't seem like there's much difference!

Thera A;
This is a non medicated Anti-Parasitic sinking pellet that is 1.0mm in size. It is excellent for fresh or salt water fish. Contains 4 all natural color enhancing ingredients! MAIN INGREDIENTS: Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Wheat Flour, Allicin Complex Amino Acids, Algae Meal, Soybean Meal, Fish Oil, Beta Carotene, Spirulina, Vitamin A Acetate, D-Activated Animal- Sterol (D3), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin, Folic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine, Biotin. GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Protein 38% Min., Fat 9% Min., Fiber 5% Max., Ash 9% Max., Moisture 10% Max.

Cichlid Formula;
This is a sinking pellet that is 1.0mm in size. Excellent balanced diet for fresh or salt water fish. Contains 4 all natural color enhancing ingredients! MAIN INGREDIENTS: Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Wheat Flour, Amino Acids, Algae Meal, Soybean Meal, Fish Oil, Beta Carotene, Spirulina, Vitamin A Acetate, D-Activated Animal- Sterol (D3), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin, Folic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine, Biotin. GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Protein 34% Min., Fat 5% Min., Fiber 5% Max., Ash 9% Max., Moisture 10% Max.

Community Formula;
This is a sinking pellet that is 1.0mm in size. Excellent balanced diet for all fresh water fish. Contains 4 all natural color enhancing ingredients! MAIN INGREDIENTS: Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Wheat Flour, Amino Acids, Algae Meal, Soybean Meal, Fish Oil, Beta Carotene, Spirulina, Vitamin A Acetate, D-Activated Animal- Sterol (D3), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin, Folic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine, Biotin. GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Protein 34% Min., Fat 5% Min., Fiber 5% Max., Ash 9% Max., Moisture 10% Max.

All Purpose Formula;
This is a sinking pellet that is 1.0mm in size. It is excellent for fresh or salt water fish. Contains 4 all natural color enhancing ingredients! MAIN INGREDIENTS: Krill Meal, Fish Meal, Wheat Flour, Amino Acids, Algae Meal, Soybean Meal, Fish Oil, Beta Carotene, Spirulina, Vitamin A Acetate, D-Activated Animal- Sterol (D3), Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin, Folic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine, Biotin. GUARANTEED ANALYSIS: Protein 34% Min., Fat 5% Min., Fiber 5% Max., Ash 9% Max., Moisture 10% Max.

Aside from the obvious differences with the Thera A, the other three essentially seem like the same stuff in a different jar.

 

[JwHiser13]

NLS is one of the great foods out there, but just like some different hikari brands its the same food in a different package.


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[RD.]

First off, those labels are very old, and very outdated. NLS hasn't contained soybean meal in over a decade. In fact, they haven't contained soybean in any form for a couple of yrs now, although some labels may still have soy isolate listed on them.

Many of the formulas are near identical, some contain higher ratios of certain key ingredients. As an example, TherA has a much higher inclusion rate of garlic, a higher inclusion rate of herring, and a higher inclusion rate of crude fat. I liken it to high octane fuel. Small fish formula has a higher protein/fat ratio, as does the Grow formula. The wafers are again different in formula make up, as is the 10mm Mega, and some of the other various formulas. They most certainly aren't all exactly the same.

I'm wondering if there is any benefit in mixing it up a bit and feeding some of their other 1mm sinking options like the Cichlid Formula, Community Formula and All Purpose Formula?

To answer your question, no. Not with those particular formulas.

 

[the animal guy]

oops sorry

 

[David R]

First off, those labels are very old, and very outdated. NLS hasn't contained soybean meal in over a decade. In fact, they haven't contained soybean in any form for a couple of yrs now, although some labels may still have soy isolate listed on them.

I guess I should have a look at the NLS rather than just copying from Kensfish.com where I was browsing.


So based on your "high octane" theory, is a fish like a car where you're best to keep it running on Premium, or is it like me trying to live on energy bars and protein shakes?

 

[RD.]

Tom (Aquanero) feeds the TherA as his main staple, myself I just feed the regular formulas as I have never seen any need for the extra garlic, protein, or fat - unless the fish were recently acquired, sick, needed some additional nutrient boosts due to breeding, etc. For every day feeding the regular formulas pack plenty a punch already.

 

[David R]

Thanks. I originally bought the Thera A as a good food to fatten up and help grow and maintain my pack of clown loaches, and have simply fed it since as a matter of habit. I might grab a bucket of the cichlid formula and start mixing the two.