should I feed my platies spirulina flakes?

[fishcatch22]

hey, all. I was just wondering if its a good idea to feed my platies spirulina algae flakes. after all, I know they need a higher proportion of plant matter in their diet than animal matter, and it says on the back that they're good for live bearers. right now i'm feeding them wardley flakes. any thoughs? :huh:

[greendeltatke]

Yes, spirulina flakes would be good. You can also try offering them some fresh baby spinach. Just freeze or microwave a leaf for a few seconds and put it in a vegetable clip. They will graze at it until it's gone.

[fishcatch22]

yeah, I do that, too. I bought some omega one spirulina flakes today, and they love 'em! :)

[plah831]

spirulina flakes sound like a good idea to me! those flakes designed for herbivores always have some fish meal in them. why is that? why are we harvesting fish from already overexploited oceans to feed other fish?

i'm not directing these questions to anyone in particular. just wondering.

[fishcatch22]

same here. I want to get one with at least very little fish meal in it, but no one will deliver.

[plah831]

I know. They should make a vegan fish food. Maybe we could do that and start a business :D

[dorkfish]

same here. I want to get one with at least very little fish meal in it, but no one will deliver.

Sanfransisco bay brand makes dried algae (called "sally's seaweed salad) that contains no fish meal in it (go figure). You could easily rip this up into flakes, wich is actually how I feed it.

[plah831]

Have you had success with those? I tried one and it was horribly messy! Took 2 tank cleanings and still didn't get all of it out. Admittedly, I was using unsalted nori designed for sushi (human consumption and not fishies).

[fishcatch22]

I don't want none, they still need animal matter, too. I just want one where the fish meal comes after the algae.

[plah831]

Oh, OK. Then spirulina or other herbivore flakes should be perfect.

[dorkfish]

Have you had success with those?

To a point - my bettas and gourami won't eat it, but most fish will.

I just throw in enough for each fish to get a small piece of it (going against the instructions - it says to feed a 3"x3" square per average 30g aquarium). I end up with fed fish and no mess, and I feed it everyday to my reef, and about once a week to the freshy tanks. I'm not sure if theres any difference betweeen this and nori, but they look almost exactly the same.

[plah831]

oh, that wouldn't work for me because i was trying to supplement my oto's. they definitely wouldn't accept them at the surface. thanks for the reply, though.

[rosita]

spirulina flakes sound like a good idea to me! those flakes designed for herbivores always have some fish meal in them. why is that? why are we harvesting fish from already overexploited oceans to feed other fish?

i'm not directing these questions to anyone in particular. just wondering.

I was curious about Omega One and emailed them, the fellow who responded was very informative about their fishing practices (mindful of oceanic population) etc. You may want to ask them any questions you have--I'm sure they'll respond within a day or two!!!

[plah831]

Cool, thanks so much Rosita. They do sound to be a good product, and good business practices!

[chunkoblue]

Wardley Algae discs have no fish meal in them... and yes my platties peck away at them, even my betta (he's such a hog... he's supposed to be a carnivore)!