Catfish sinker pellets - can they harm cichlids?

[fuzzyferret]

I've got a 180 litre tank with African cichlids (and a pleco) and feed them numerous things - mainly Hagen flake for tropical tanks, cichlid floater pellets, and I also chuck in some catfish sinker pellets and algae wafers for my large plec.

Problem is, most of the cichlids ignore the flake and the cichlid pellets, and scoff the catfish food. This is a bit of a catch-22 - as they have eaten the pellets/wafers, I must then throw in some more to ensure that the plec has some food - as it is, I think he hoovers up some of the flake that has drifted down to the bottom.

I've tried feeding them less, thinking that if they're really hungry they will eat the flake (which they do) but they seem to prefer the catfish food.

Will this harm them in any way - I read somewhere about Malawi bloat, but I think that is mainly with meat-based foods. I assume that catfish grub is more vegetable based?

Can anyone advise?

 

[freddyk]

Usually catfish food is very meat based, and while I don't think any harm will come to them eating it, I do think there will be long term health problems if this is all they eat. One food you did not list which should be a regular part of the cichlids diets is Spirulina flake.

 

[fuzzyferret]

Thanks freddyk
I suppose it's like me and chocolate. Long term health implications but good at the time!

 

[DanL]

I've got a 180 litre tank with African cichlids (and a pleco) and feed them numerous things - mainly Hagen flake for tropical tanks, cichlid floater pellets, and I also chuck in some catfish sinker pellets and algae wafers for my large plec.

Problem is, most of the cichlids ignore the flake and the cichlid pellets, and scoff the catfish food. This is a bit of a catch-22 - as they have eaten the pellets/wafers, I must then throw in some more to ensure that the plec has some food - as it is, I think he hoovers up some of the flake that has drifted down to the bottom.

I've tried feeding them less, thinking that if they're really hungry they will eat the flake (which they do) but they seem to prefer the catfish food.

Will this harm them in any way - I read somewhere about Malawi bloat, but I think that is mainly with meat-based foods. I assume that catfish grub is more vegetable based?

Can anyone advise?

One food you did not list which should be a regular part of the cichlids diets is Spirulina flake.

it really depends on what type of cichlids you have...

 

[freddyk]

Yes, when he mentioned Malawi Bloat I assumed they were mbuna. One should probably never assume.

 

[DanL]

I think assumptions can be an enemy of everyone, we all make the mistake...

If I remember correctly, there are also some Malawi (not mbuna) cichlids that do better on a high protien diet. Since I prefer Tanganyikan, I am not to sure though.