BLoodworms.

[Malak]

There's something I don't understand.

Some folks are saying not to feed your cichlids bloodworms or feed them on a rare basis because they're high in proteins.

Yet, when I look at the proteins on the bloodworms packaging, it says minimum 4% protein. And when I look at the NLS pellets, the proteins are in the 30% and it's the same for the spirulina flakes.

What am I missing here?

[MySpace Mike]

Most people reffer to bloodworms, brine shrimp, krill as treats for their fish, and only feed them to their fish once a week.

It's not that theyre really that high in protein it's just if a fish gets addicted to just these as a food source then serious health issues can arise. Fish need a variety of foods, not just a single food. I feed my cichlids HBH Super Soft Pellets, Cichlid Stix, and Frozen Brine Shrimp. This diet offers different food to each fish, and keeps their diet in a regular balance.

[Malak]

What if I feed them bloodworms in the evening and then NLS pellets and spirulina flakes in the morning?

[Lupin]

Some cichlids particularly the mbunas are mostly herbivorous and prone to bloat if fed with foods high in protein content.

[scott-kim]

The reason frozen bloodworms (or any frozen food) state protein so low is because of all the water. If you thawed them and removed all the "juice" they would have about 55% protein.
Iv always fed my omnivore, carnivore cichlids bloodworms, mysis shrimp and krill
. All Ive noticed is they grow quicker and have better color.
If you have algae grazers I would stay away from bloodworms or any food similiar.
What kind of cichlids are we talking about?

[kay-bee]

Agreed.

If you can find it in the fine print the Dry Matter or Dry Weight protein percentage is a lot higher.

The Crude Protein (min) for the frozen bloodworm cubes I have is 4.7% (which at first glance seems perfectly fine for herbivores requiring low protein); however down in the 'fine print' it states "Protein as a Percentage of Dry Matter 61.5%).

[Malak]

About mbunas. But yeah they're frozen cubes, meaning they're never at a dry state so that means it's very low in proteins, no?

[scott-kim]

No there pretty high in proteins. When they are thawed they are pure bloodworms containing too much protein for your mbunas.

[Star_Rider]

the blood worm are generally high in protein.. the issue is what the PER is(protein efficiency ratio)
protein in general need a balance to be used efficiently not all protein is digested the same.