can u feed american cichlids veggies?
- Thread starter AquariumNoob13
- Start date
mine aren't interested in veggies much. but tetra makes some bottom feeder sinking wafers called "the rich mix" and my oscars LOVE them.. and there's a little bit of algea in them.. so it makes me feel better.
as far as actual peas and cucumbers.. they couldn't care less.
as far as actual peas and cucumbers.. they couldn't care less.
I wouldnt recommed veggies for Central/South American Cichlids due to these cichlids are carnivores, and like meat. Unlike African Cichlids which are herbivores and prefer plants and veggies, CA/SA Cichlids need protien in their diet, if you havent noticed alot of the pellet bags have pictures of american or african cichlids on it, this tells you that the african pellets are high in plant/veggie matter, and american cichlid pellets have a higher dosage of added protien. This is due to their diet is totally different, giving African cichlids a high amount of protien can bloat their stomach and intestines which can kill them. Giving American Cichlids a high amount of veggie matter wont bloat them, it will only deny them the protien and other nutrients they depend on, thus making them appear skiny and malnurished.
There are just as many feeding varieties in CA cichlids as African. Like is the case with some Africans, many CA cichlids are basically herbivores, and most would benefit from consuming veggies to a greater or lesser degree. The need for protein is overly stressed in most cases.
