The best cichlid food today has come a long way from the selections open to the public before.
Well, I have always been a traditionalist.
I believe that organic or natural food should be given to feed my cichlids.
Nevertheless, there is an ongoing trend to develop and sell manufactured and processed feeds for this fish that is prevailing in the market today.
There are claims that manufactured feeds are better than the organic food that have been usually the choice of enthusiasts.
But before dwelling on that, let me discuss first the types of eater cichlids in general.
They can be classified based on the selection of food they prefer to eat.
Omnivorous cichlids are those that eat both plants and animals.
In their normal environment, they will eat insects, crustaceans, worms and plants.
When placed inside an aquarium, their food should consist of the combination of fish flakes, live food and vegetables.
Some examples of these omnivorous cichlids are the Petrochromis, Angel Fish and Heros.
The second type is the carnivorous type.
These types are those that eat mainly organisms such as insects, insect larvae, shrimp, crustaceans, worms and fish eggs.
But they also have the tendency to eat smaller fishes in the tank, making them perfect predators.
Crenicichla, Pike cichlids and Haplochromines are some types of carnivorous cichlids.
Those that mainly rely on plant for diet are the herbivorous cichlids.
They thrive on algae and other vegetation found in their surroundings.
Those that are living in an aquarium are more inclined to eat flake or pellet plant-based food.
In some cases, these herbivores can accept live food, often are invertebrates, while some feed on algae that rest on rocks and various structures in the water.
During spawning, it is best to provide protein-rich food for your breeding cichlids.
Their fry can be fed with brine shrimp before they mature and dwell on eating bigger foods.
You need to make sure that the food your feeding your pets are clean and do not have diseases.
That is the reason there is a growing clamor to feed cichlids with manufactured foods such as pellets and flakes.
They can be sure that these are from healthy origins as compared to live food bought in fish stores.
There are times that these live foods (such as small fish) are sickly and have diseases, the reason behind why they are being sold as feeds.
The debate on which food is better is something that most breeders consider.
The ease in purchasing manufactured and processed feeds are the primary reason for their abundance in the market.
One good thing about these types of foods is that they are processed in a way where all the basic needs of the cichlids are identified and are encapsulated in the flakes, pellets or balls.
They readily provide nutrients like Vitamin C, amino acid, spirulina, carotene and other food supplements needed by the fish.
However, organic foods are better because they possess the natural nutrients that provide healthier benefits to your pets.
Though finding live foods can be harder as compared to the processed types, you are assured that you provide your fish with the same quality and health content like those that are growing in their natural environment.
The best cichlid food is not determined by the availability of it in the market or its nutritional content.
Whatever works for your pet is the most important choice to make.
As long as your cichlid heartily eats whatever is served to them, you may continue to do so.
In the end, the reason why we select the best food is because we care for their welfare.
And as long as they keep eating, we are certain than they'll live longer.
Well, I have always been a traditionalist.
I believe that organic or natural food should be given to feed my cichlids.
Nevertheless, there is an ongoing trend to develop and sell manufactured and processed feeds for this fish that is prevailing in the market today.
There are claims that manufactured feeds are better than the organic food that have been usually the choice of enthusiasts.
But before dwelling on that, let me discuss first the types of eater cichlids in general.
They can be classified based on the selection of food they prefer to eat.
Omnivorous cichlids are those that eat both plants and animals.
In their normal environment, they will eat insects, crustaceans, worms and plants.
When placed inside an aquarium, their food should consist of the combination of fish flakes, live food and vegetables.
Some examples of these omnivorous cichlids are the Petrochromis, Angel Fish and Heros.
The second type is the carnivorous type.
These types are those that eat mainly organisms such as insects, insect larvae, shrimp, crustaceans, worms and fish eggs.
But they also have the tendency to eat smaller fishes in the tank, making them perfect predators.
Crenicichla, Pike cichlids and Haplochromines are some types of carnivorous cichlids.
Those that mainly rely on plant for diet are the herbivorous cichlids.
They thrive on algae and other vegetation found in their surroundings.
Those that are living in an aquarium are more inclined to eat flake or pellet plant-based food.
In some cases, these herbivores can accept live food, often are invertebrates, while some feed on algae that rest on rocks and various structures in the water.
During spawning, it is best to provide protein-rich food for your breeding cichlids.
Their fry can be fed with brine shrimp before they mature and dwell on eating bigger foods.
You need to make sure that the food your feeding your pets are clean and do not have diseases.
That is the reason there is a growing clamor to feed cichlids with manufactured foods such as pellets and flakes.
They can be sure that these are from healthy origins as compared to live food bought in fish stores.
There are times that these live foods (such as small fish) are sickly and have diseases, the reason behind why they are being sold as feeds.
The debate on which food is better is something that most breeders consider.
The ease in purchasing manufactured and processed feeds are the primary reason for their abundance in the market.
One good thing about these types of foods is that they are processed in a way where all the basic needs of the cichlids are identified and are encapsulated in the flakes, pellets or balls.
They readily provide nutrients like Vitamin C, amino acid, spirulina, carotene and other food supplements needed by the fish.
However, organic foods are better because they possess the natural nutrients that provide healthier benefits to your pets.
Though finding live foods can be harder as compared to the processed types, you are assured that you provide your fish with the same quality and health content like those that are growing in their natural environment.
The best cichlid food is not determined by the availability of it in the market or its nutritional content.
Whatever works for your pet is the most important choice to make.
As long as your cichlid heartily eats whatever is served to them, you may continue to do so.
In the end, the reason why we select the best food is because we care for their welfare.
And as long as they keep eating, we are certain than they'll live longer.