Omni/carnivore mbuna and peacock diet

[ibr3ak]

I've recently converted the all mbuna tank to mostly peacock with two mbuna (yellow lab and afra) and a lethrinops, I've fed the mbuna exclusively nls and sometimes nori, I've also had Spirulina flakes from tetra that I haven't fed them because the protein value is 48%.

My question is, now that I mostly have carnivorous fish with an exception of a few omnivores would it be fine to feed them these flakes without a threat of bloat?

Here's the 'Guaranteed Analysis' from the bottle:
min. crude protein: 48%
min. crude fat: 8%
max. crude fiber: 2%
max. moisture: 6%
min. phosphorus: 1.4%
min. ascorbic acid (vit. c): 400mg/kg
min. spirulinamaxima: 108 g/kg

I'm also asking this question partially because a couple of my new peacocks refuse to eat the nls pellets, they do go for them, but eventually spit them out, but do eat the flakes, so I was thinking of gradually weaning them off the flakes and on to the nls.

 

[BarroomHero]

I've recently converted the all mbuna tank to mostly peacock with two mbuna (yellow lab and afra) and a lethrinops, I've fed the mbuna exclusively nls and sometimes nori, I've also had Spirulina flakes from tetra that I haven't fed them because the protein value is 48%.

My question is, now that I mostly have carnivorous fish with an exception of a few omnivores would it be fine to feed them these flakes without a threat of bloat?

Here's the 'Guaranteed Analysis' from the bottle:
min. crude protein: 48%
min. crude fat: 8%
max. crude fiber: 2%
max. moisture: 6%
min. phosphorus: 1.4%
min. ascorbic acid (vit. c): 400mg/kg
min. spirulinamaxima: 108 g/kg

I'm also asking this question partially because a couple of my new peacocks refuse to eat the nls pellets, they do go for them, but eventually spit them out, but do eat the flakes, so I was thinking of gradually weaning them off the flakes and on to the nls.

Im not sure about the flakes, but my peacocks love NLS. You could try not feeding them for 2 days and then feed the NLS.

 

[mike dunagan]

that is how I switch food...

 

[Pharaoh]

I agree.

 

[ibr3ak]

Thanks for the suggestion guys, I already fast them once a week, just never had that type of problem before, will try it and post back.

 

[BarroomHero]

Thanks for the suggestion guys, I already fast them once a week, just never had that type of problem before, will try it and post back.

Yeah give it a shot. From my experience flakes create way more mess in the water than pellets. My hap/peacocks dont let any pellets go to waste, but when I first started I got flakes and it seemed to make a lot more mess and seemed like there was a lot more waste. Also how long have the fish been in the tank? Ive had fish not eat for quite a while when new.

 

[ibr3ak]

These particular 2 have only been in my tank since this morning, so relatively new

 

[BarroomHero]

These particular 2 have only been in my tank since this morning, so relatively new

Thats probably why. I havent been into this hobby very long, but so far I havent seen a fish eat anything for the first few days after it was added to the tank. I'd try not feeding for 2 days and see what happens.

 

[mike dunagan]

did you buy them today. perhaps they feed the fish before opening and they are not hungry enough to try new food...

 

[ibr3ak]

Yeah mike, bought them this morning and was also told that they were fed flakes by the lfs, so gonna give them a 2-3 day off food period.