Frozen brine shrimp for cichlids

[dylan78]

Has anyone tried feeding frozen brine shrimp to their cichlids? I've been using pellets but wanna mix it up. My tank's a 55-gallon with African cichlids, pH around 8.0, and they're pretty active. Just curious if it's worth the switch.

[dawnfox]

I've used frozen brine shrimp before. My cichlids seemed to like it, but I didn't notice any big changes in their behavior or color. Maybe try a small pack first to see how yours react?

[clemsong]

Brine shrimp's decent for variety, but it's not super nutrient-dense. If you're gonna feed it, maybe pair it with something like spirulina flakes to balance things out. What's your current feeding routine?

[DaisyDew]

Brine shrimp's decent for variety, but it's not super nutrient-dense. If you're gonna feed it, maybe pair it with something like spirulina flakes to balance things out. What's your current feeding routine?

Agreed. Brine shrimp alone won't cut it for cichlids long-term. I alternate between frozen foods, high-quality pellets, and occasional veggie blends. What's your tank's nitrate level? That can affect how they process different foods.

[morningglow]

My cichlids go nuts for frozen brine shrimp! I thaw it in tank water first, then feed small amounts twice a week. They're in a 75-gallon with sand substrate and lots of rocks. Maybe yours just need time to get used to it?

[dylan78]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I'll grab a small pack and see how they react. My nitrates are around 20 ppm, water changes every week. Appreciate the advice!

[clemsong]

My cichlids go nuts for frozen brine shrimp! I thaw it in tank water first, then feed small amounts twice a week. They're in a 75-gallon with sand substrate and lots of rocks. Maybe yours just need time to get used to it?

Thawing in tank water's a good call. Helps avoid any weird temp shocks. You using any supplements with it, or just straight brine shrimp?

[morningglow]

My cichlids go nuts for frozen brine shrimp! I thaw it in tank water first, then feed small amounts twice a week. They're in a 75-gallon with sand substrate and lots of rocks. Maybe yours just need time to get used to it?

Thawing in tank water's a good call. Helps avoid any weird temp shocks. You using any supplements with it, or just straight brine shrimp?

Nah, just straight shrimp for now. Sometimes I'll toss in a bit of garlic guard if they're being picky, but that's rare. They usually chow down no problem.

[DaisyDew]

Garlic guard's a solid trick for finicky eaters. Just don't overdo it, or you might mess with your biofilter. How often are you guys doing water changes with this kind of diet?

[dawnfox]

I stick to weekly changes, about 25%. My cichlids are in a 40-gallon breeder with a canister filter. No issues so far, but I'm pretty consistent with maintenance.