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Cichlids are stunning fish that come in a lot of different varieties. With their vibrant colors and big personalities, it’s no wonder why cichlids are so popular among aquarists. To fuel that big attitude, cichlids need a balanced and healthy fish diet. Not only is food key for your cichlid’s health, but it also helps enhance and brighten their coloring. Finding high-quality food for your cichlid is important for keeping them at peak performance, so I’ve reviewed a range of products to help you find the best food option for your fish’s diet. After considering all the options our top picks were… Best All-Rounder
Best on a Budget
Editor’s Choice
Review SummaryBest All-Rounder
Omega One Super Color Sinking PelletsOmega One Super Color pellets are naturally insoluble, which decreases water pollution. They also contain low levels of starch to reduce the amount of waste your fish produces. Omega One Super Color Sinking PelletsOut of all the best cichlid foods I’ve reviewed, this one is my top pick Omega One sinking pellets are my overall recommendation for carnivorous cichlids as they are healthy and nutritious. The formula doesn’t contain any pre-processed protein and improves the coloring of your fish. Best on a Budget
Tetra Cichlid Fish Floating PelletsMain ingredient of this cichlid food is micro milled fish meal, which is easier to digest. It’s high in protein, so they’re ideal for medium/large carnivorous cichlids. Tetra Cichlid Fish Floating PelletsThis is the best cichlid food if you’re on a budget as it’s very affordable. This cichlid food from Tetra is an inexpensive but good-quality choice for your fish. Not only does it enhance the color of your cichlids, but it also supports their immune system. It’s best suited to carnivorous cichlids as it’s high in protein. Editor’s Choice
New Life Spectrum Cichlid Fish FormulaMy personal favorite best cichlid food. It’s a little pricier than some of the other products, but it provides excellent nutrition. This cichlid food has one of the best formulas for enhancing the color of your cichlids. It contains high-protein ingredients like krill and whole fish for a balanced nutrition, as well as beta carotene for good immune system health. What Food Can You Feed Cichlids?Cichlids can eat a variety of different foods, including store-bought and fresh products. Of course it goes without saying that bread is not one of these things. Giving your cichlids a balanced diet provides them with a multitude of nutrients, so it’s a good idea to offer fresh foods alongside their normal pellets or flakes.
Can You Feed Cichlids Vegetables?I do feed my cichlids green vegetables like spinach, peas, cucumbers, and broccoli which are a good option for some types of cichlid species. Some of these veggies might need to be weighed down to prevent them from floating to the top of your tank. You can purchase special aquarium clips for this, but a wooden skewer or fork works just as well. If it’s your first time housing cichlids, you might want to check out this article about cichlids to give you all the details you need for taking care of your fish. Other Food OptionsFrozen food and live fish food like fish bloodworms and brine shrimp meal are also a good choice for some types of cichlids once or twice a week to add variety. A lot of cichlids are omnivores, such as the Kribensis, which means they eat both animal and plant sources. However, African cichlids like Mbuna and Tropheus are herbivores, with their main diet being algae, aquatic plants, and biofilm. In contrast, some cichlids like Jack Dempseys and Red Oscars are carnivorous.
How Often to Feed Cichlids
It’s generally recommended that you feed your cichlids either 2 or 3 times daily. By nature, cichlids are competitive when it comes to food as they live in dense areas in the wild where food sources are scarce. This is why it’s advised to feed your cichlids a few times each day. It helps control aggression and ensures all your fish get a bite to eat. How Much Food to Feed Cichlids?Only feed your cichlids as much food as they can eat in 2 minutes to prevent overfeeding and less uneaten food in the tank. Your cichlids will probably always look hungry, but this is normal as fish are opportunistic feeders. How Long Can Cichlids Go Without Eating?Cichlids can go around 7 or 10 days without food, provided they are in good health. If you’re going away for up to a week, then you don’t really need to worry about your cichlids. Some aquarists fast their cichlids every so often, normally around the time they change the water in their aquarium.
Best Cichlid Food ReviewsBest All-Rounder
Omega One Super Color Sinking PelletsOmega One Super Color pellets are naturally insoluble, which decreases water pollution. They also contain low levels of starch to reduce the amount of waste your fish produces. Omega One Super Color Sinking PelletsIn my opinion, the best cichlid food for your fish are these sinking pellets from Omega One. This food is suitable for the bottom feeders and mid-water feeding cichlids as it tends to sink at the bottom of the tank. They have a color enhancing formula thanks to the inclusion of salmon skin, which contains high levels of beta carotenes. Helps Reduce Tank PollutionOmega One Super Color pellets for all tropical fish are naturally insoluble, which decreases water pollution. The super color cichlid pellets also contain low levels of starch to reduce the amount of waste your fish produces. No digests, meals, hydroslylates, or any other pre-processed protein are used in the formula, too, which is suitable for young or small cichlids. My only gripe with this color enhancing fish food is its hard consistency, which some cichlids might not be a fan of. Specs
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Best on a Budget
Tetra Cichlid Fish Floating PelletsMain ingredient of this cichlid food is micro milled fish meal, which is easier to digest. It’s high in protein, so they’re ideal for medium/large carnivorous cichlids. Tetra Cichlid Fish Floating PelletsTetra’s cichlid floating pellets are an incredibly affordable but good-quality food for cichlids, specifically for top- and mid-feeding types. The pellets are high in protein, so they’re ideal for medium/large carnivorous cichlids.
The main ingredient of this cichlid food is micro milled fish meal, which is easier to digest and contains fewer colorants. This makes for a cleaner aquarium as your cichlids will make less waste. Immune System SupportAdditionally, the formula contains ProCare to support your cichlids’ immune system, alongside natural color enhancers. When used as directed, Tetra cichlid pellets don’t cloud the water in your aquarium, which is a plus! However, some cichlids might refuse to eat this food, particularly when first introduced to it. This could be due to a possible lack of flavor. Specs
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Editor’s Choice
New Life Spectrum Cichlid Fish FormulaContaining a range of natural ingredients, New Life Spectrum cichlid food is a fantastic choice for your fish. It has color enhancing properties for a balanced diet that keeps your fish’s colors and immune system in top condition.
The formula contains high-protein antarctic krill, whole fish, beta carotene, and other beneficial ingredients that make sure your cichlids get a nutritious meal. Despite its positives, New Life Spectrum cichlid food has a couple of drawbacks. For one, the pellets can sometimes struggle to sink. And secondly, the size of pellets are a little small. However, these are quite minor gripes for what is otherwise a very good food for cichlids. Specs
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Hikari Cichlid Gold Floating PelletsHikari Cichlid Gold Pellets are an excellent cichlid food as they contain a variety of healthy and natural ingredients. The formula is rich in NS Germ and beta carotene, which improve the color of your fish.
This food contains stabilized vitamin C, alongside high levels of protein. When used correctly, the pellets don’t cloud the water in your tank. If you own carnivorous cichlids, then Hikari Cichlid Gold pellets are worth considering. The only downside of these pellets are their hard texture, which some fish might find unappetizing. This can be easily fixed by soaking the pellets in your tank water before feeding them to your cichlids. Specs
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Northfin Food Cichlid FormulaThis fish food is specially formulated to enhance the health and colors of your fish naturally. It doesn’t use any unnecessary fillers or color additives. Northfin Food Cichlid FormulaMade with Antarctic krill, Northfin’s fish food is a great option for your cichlids. Antarctic krill is very high in protein, so it’s ideal for cichlids that require a carnivorous diet.
This fish food is specially formulated to enhance the health and colors of your fish naturally. It doesn’t use any unnecessary fillers or color additives, allowing your cichlids to easily digest the food and take in more nutrients. However, it is possible this formula may be lacking the flavor of other fish foods and therefore some cichlids might be a little reluctant to eat it, especially when first introduced to it. Specs
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Aqueon Cichlid Fish Food PelletsInexpensive but decent option for cichlids. They contain ingredients like krill and squid to appeal to even the most fussy cichlid fish. Aqueon Cichlid Fish Food PelletsThese sinking cichlid pellets from Aqueon are another inexpensive but decent option for cichlids. They contain ingredients like krill and squid meal to appeal to even the most fussy cichlid fish.
When used as directed, the pellets won’t cloud your water. These sinking cichlid pellets are specially designed to reduce the amount of waste your fish produce. The formula has color enhancing properties and uses no artificial colors, too! Unfortunately, the Aqueon cichlid food pellets are a little on the small side and can occasionally fail to sink properly. Specs
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Omega One Veggie RoundsPacked with fresh ocean kelp harvested from Alaska, as well as omega-3 and omega-6. Both of these support your cichlids’ immune system. Omega One Veggie RoundsIf you own herbivorous cichlids like Malawi fish, then these Omega One veggie pellets are a solid pick. They’re packed with fresh ocean kelp harvested from Alaska, as well as omega-3 and omega-6. Both of these support your cichlids’ immune system.
This fish food also contains spirulina, which is a powerful cyanobacterium that helps destroy internal bacteria and pathogens. These pellets reduce water pollution and fish waste as it has a naturally insoluble and low-starch formula. For herbivorous fish like Malawi cichlids, you really can’t go wrong with Omega One Veggie Rounds. However, other fish might not be too fond of the taste of the pellets at first, which might suggest a possible lack of flavor. Specs
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TetraCichlid Cichlid CrispsMade with easy-to-digest ingredients, as well as vitamin C, algae extract, dried krill, and shrimp. They’re best suited to large cichlids like Oscars and Jack Dempseys. TetraCichlid Cichlid CrispsDesigned specifically for cichlids who feed from the middle or top of the tank, this cichlid food from Tetra is packed full of protein. Compared to other flakes, Tetra Cichlid Crisps cause 35% less waste to keep your fish healthier and your tank water clearer.
This balanced diet flakes are made with easy-to-digest ingredients, as well as vitamin C, algae meal extract, dried krill, and shrimp. They’re best suited to large cichlids like Oscars and Jack Dempseys. However, this fish food from Tetra could be unappetizing to some cichlids. This might be due to the small size and round shape of the flakes. Specs
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Fluval Bug Bites Granules Cichlid FoodThe formula is fortified with essential vitamins, amino acids, and minerals to provide your cichlid with a nutritious meal. No artificial fillers, preservatives, or colors are used in this. Fluval Bug Bites Granules Cichlid FoodWhen you own a small omnivorous or carnivorous fish, you obviously want the best cichlid food designed for them. Fluval Bug Bites are a great pick for a cichlid that requires protein in their diet.
The granules are made primarily (up to 40%) of black soldier fly larvae, but they also contain omega-3 and omega-6 sourced from whole salmon. This makes sure your fish’s skin, scales, and fins stay healthy. Fortified with Essential NutrientsThe formula is fortified with essential vitamins, amino acids, and minerals to provide your cichlid with a nutritious meal which enhances cichlid growth. No artificial fillers, preservatives, or colors are used in this cichlid fish food, which is a bonus! However, Fluval Bug Bites pellets can have quite a pungent odor. In addition to this, some fish might be reluctant to eat the granules, at least when first introduced to them. Specs
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Tetra Cichlid Floating SticksThese floating food sticks work best for large fish like the Firemouth and Convict. The sticks easily float at the top of your aquarium, making them ideal for top-feeding cichlid varieties.
This cichlid fish food is designed to enhance the color of your fish and support their immune system. A precise blend of vitamins, immunostimulants, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids is used in the formula to keep your cichlid at peak performance. While these sticks won’t cloud your water when used as directed, they are quite messy. The sticks often sink fairly quickly and swell up as a result. Specs
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Northfin Food Veggie Formula Cichlid FoodNorthfin’s veggie fish food is best for a cichlid that needs an omnivorous or herbivorous diet. It contains organic kelp, whole antarctic krill meal, and spirulina.
The formula is easy to digest allowing your fish to absorb more nutrients. This helps keep your fish healthy and produce less waste. Another plus is that no fillers, by-products, artificial colors, or hormones are used in the food. However, these pellets are prone to sinking quite fast. Some fish might also be reluctant to eat them, which might mean the formula is too bland. Specs
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SummaryHere’s a quick recap of all our top picks… Best All-Rounder
Best on a Budget
Editor’s Choice
Best-AllrounderOut of all the foods I’ve looked at, I think the best cichlid food is Omega One Super Color Sinking Pellets. The pellets are low-starch, insoluble, and include salmon skin (Salmon fish meal) to enhance the color of your fish. No pre-processed protein, meals, hydrolysates, or other undesirable ingredients are used in Omega One’s formula. If you’re looking for something natural, then Omega One pellets are a fantastic choice for your cichlid fish. Best on a BudgetTwo other strong options that provide your cichlid with a balanced diet are the Tetra Cichlid Floating Pellets and New Life Spectrum Cichlid Formula. The former is extremely affordable and is a great match for large or medium sized fish. Editor’s ChoiceThe latter is a little more expensive, but contains a wealth of high-quality ingredients that improve your fish’s colors and immune system. If you want more reviews on cichlid-related food and accessories, I have just the thing for you! I just finished rounding the best cichlid rocks to put in your tank! Founder of PetMeTwice. I love all types of animals from fish to fluff-balls! I also enjoy writing short stories and helping train animals 🤩 ShareShareFounder of PetMeTwice. I love all types of animals from fish to fluff-balls! I also enjoy writing short stories and helping train animals 🤩 What can I feed my cichlids for color?Feeding fish a diet rich in carotenoids can greatly increase their color. Red – red pigment comes from the carotenoid astaxanthin. Whole krill, whole shrimp, red algae and red bell peppers are all potential sources.
Does color enhancing fish food work?blue and green coloration in fish are enhanced by this amazing unique protein-pigment. Getting back to the question, do color enhancing formulations really work? They absolutely do and when properly formulated are strong contributors to healthy robust fish with strong immune systems and beautiful coloration.
What is the best food to feed African cichlids?What foods are best for your Malawi cichlids?. Pellets or flakes. this is the leading food for most aquarium fish. ... . Spirulina. Plant-based food, which replaces algae, which would be their natural source of vegetables. ... . Homemade food. Lettuce, broccoli, peas, cucumber etc. ... . Meat. Use meat with caution. ... . Meat (again). |
Color enhancing fish food for cichlids
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