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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.

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?

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?

clemsong wrote: ↑Wed Jul 02, 2025 4:33 pm 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.

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?

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!

morningglow wrote: ↑Wed Jul 02, 2025 5:33 pm 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?

clemsong wrote: ↑Wed Jul 02, 2025 6:36 pm

morningglow wrote: ↑Wed Jul 02, 2025 5:33 pm 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.

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?

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.