The issue that I have with this Repashy formula is, while it starts off with 2 aquatic based plant ingredients, after that it immediately turns into a long list of terrestrial based plant matter, food stuffs that most algivores (certainly those found in the Rift Lakes, such as shown on this package) would encounter, let alone eat, in the wild. Peas, Rice, Alfalfa, more Rice, Dandelion, Coconut, Flaxseed, Stinging Nettle.
The algivorous species of fish found in Lake Malawi and/or Lake Tanganyika, tend to target specific types of aquatic plant matter, depending on their specific feeding niche - which is nothing remotely close to eating rice, peas, dandelion, alfalfa, coconut, flaxseed, etc.
Compare the ingredients below, with the NLS AlgaeMax ingredients posted above, or for that matter, against any/all fish foods marketed for herbivores. IMO nothing comes remotely close to the NLS AlgaeMax.
Repashy Super Green Vegan Algae Gel Premix
INGREDIENTS: Spirulina Algae, Algae Meal (Chlorella), Pea Protein Isolate, Rice Protein Concentrate, Alfalfa Leaf Powder, Stabalized Rice Bran, Dandelion Powder, Dried Brewer’s Yeast, Coconut Meal, Ground Flaxseed, Schizochytrium Algae, Dried Seaweed Meal, Dried Kelp, Locust Bean Gum, Lecithin, Potassium Citrate, Taurine, Stinging Nettle, Garlic, RoseHips, Hibiscus Flower, Calendula Flower, Marigold Flower, Paprika, Turmeric, vitamins and minerals.
Guaranteed Analysis: Crude Protein min. 35%, Crude Fat min. 8%, Crude Fiber max. 8%, Moisture max. 8%, Ash max. 9%.
Also keep in mind that the Repashy, like all gel mixes requires adding approx. 75% water to their dry powder, and then nuking in a microwave, or bringing to a boil on the stove. After adding water, and boiling, the "guaranteed" analysis quickly becomes a thing of the past. The final formula now consists mostly of water, which is a non nutrient that offers no nutritional value to the diet of a fish. Most people forget that when they are feeding gel mixes, no matter the brand, including the NLS gel mix. So now figure out the true analysis of that food, once the water has been added. The crude protein and fat % drops way down, and the moisture content goes way up. Even still, if I was insistant on feeding a gel, I would feed the NLS Algae gel due to the wide variety of aquatic based plant matter in their formula. .
I prefer more nutrient dense pellets when feeding the vast majority of algivores, including mbuna that fall under this classification. When it comes to herbivores, especially algivores I also prefer to cover a wide variety of aquatic based plant matter in the food as in the wild most freshwater as well as marine species tend to seek out and consume very specific types of plant matter, be it diatoms (Tropheus brichardi) green algae such as Cladophora (Tropheus moorii), or the filamentous green algae Mougeotia preferred by adult O. lidole in Lake Malawi. The fish in the Rift Lakes are no different than various marine fish that for whatever reason (nutrient content or availability) consume specific algae, some preferring red algae over brown, or green.
IMO this is where NLS truly outcompetes all other herbivorous formulas, that typically use only kelp and/or spirulina in their food.
