3 replies to this topic

[icradz]

I'm new to keeping African cichlids and have a question about feeding. The initial research I did on the net before converting my tropical community setup to African cichlids essentially suggested that they should be fed blood worms only in limited quantities as African cichlids require a low protein diet (being algea grazers and piscavores).

However, having had African cichlids in my tank for about a month now I am finding that whilst they do eat the pellets and flakes that should make up their staple diet, they aboslutely go berserk whenever I drop some frozen blood worms in the tank. The difference in feeding is quite startling actually, with flakes and pellets I would describe it as reluctant acceptance, wheras with blood worms I would describe it as a feeding fenzy!

My fish obviously love blood worms, but I'm still not sure whether it's OK to give it to them, and in what quantaties. Should I be guided by my fishs' behaviour (ie feed them blood worms regularly as they obviously love them) or my research on the net (ie only sparingly)? Any comments from experienced African cichlid keepers would be most appreciated. I am currently keeping electric blues, electric yellows, various peacocks (male only), C. Moori, and a L. Lelupi.

My experience with my community setup was that feeding them a regular diet of blood worms (along with flakes and pellets of course) kept my fish in fantatstic condition! But African cichlids are obviously different, so I look forward to everyone's comments.

Cheers

icradz

[Fish Antics]

Hi icradz, good question and nice to see you researching to. I would have to say that a regular part of the diet is strictly a no no. Some people might disagree with me when I say on a rare occasion it wouldn't hurt with the exception of some types with specific dietary requirements such as tropheus. My advice would be to feed them a mixed diet including spirulina flake (algae), high protein items such as brine shrimp, krill or other seafood. I often use whitebait. Try not to use animal meats as they may cause intestinal problems. Most LFS listed as site sponsors will help you with advice with feeding.

[Mazimbwe]

Hi, welcome to the PCS Forums. Please register, if you haven't already...it is free.

The advice Fish Antics is giving uses the same thinking that I would go with.
Mbuna are definately opportunistic hunters as are the Lamprologines.
Even my tropheus are not entirely vegitarian.

With the Tropheus being the exception, I try to vary the diet of my Cichlids as much as possible. I stay away from live Black-worm(or any live worms to be honest) but I am happy to feed frozen blood-worn to my Lamp's, Mbuna and Hap's as a treat once a week/fortnight. I think the variety will help the Rift Valley Cichlids attain/hold their best colours.
I have been told by some people to "...never, ever feed Blood-worms to your Cichlids." and others have said it is OK now and then. I went with the now-and-then theory and use it as variety.
I have never noticed any ill effect as a result of using this food on the fish mentioned.

Edited by: Mazimbwe  at: 10/20/03 10:26 pm

[jayrock2508]

a few years ago a friend of mine raised & bred electric blues & yellows exclusively on bloodworm & flake for years.i inherited his fish & still have some.i use mainly flake & pellets,supplemented with brineshrimp,& some bloodworm.