What Do Cichlids Eat?

Cichlids only exhibit their best and brightest colors if they are receiving a suitable diet. Many cichlids eat smaller fish if they can, which is why it is not a good idea to keep cichlids in a fish tank with smaller types of fish. Cichlid species are many and varied, and for this reason it may not be correct to feed them all the same type of food. Many cichlid owners use their own recipes to make food for their cichlids, and it is best to experiment with them to find out the best option for each particular species.

  1. European Shrimp Mix

    • European shrimp mix is reputed to improve their color and provide nourishment that will help them grow bigger and is the most widely recommended cichlid food. It is made from a mixture of whole shrimp and frozen green peas in equal amounts. For 4 pounds of a pea/shrimp mixture, add 2 tsps of pure spirulina powder (available at health stores), 3.5 ounces of vegetable-derived gelatin powder, and 10 drops of liquid fish or bird multi-vitamin mixture. Blend the peas and shrimp together and add the vitamins and spirulina powder. Mix it well and add it slowly to the warm gelatin dissolved in an equal amount of boiling water. Freeze it in ice cube trays, and remove and cut to it size. Store in baggies in the freezer.

    Spirulina Flake Food

    • Spirulina is a type of algae, and many cichlid species live on algae in the wild. Mix three parts of spirulina powder to one part agar. Add boiling water and mix it well to prevent lumps until you are left with a smooth, thick paste. Place it in small freezer bags and allow it to set. As a variation you can add grated, peeled, boiled zucchini or spinach. Cut it into squares and drop one into the aquarium at feeding time. This is a particularly good food for fries.

    Home Made Fish Food by AquaCon

    • Place any type of greens into a blender with shrimp and add crab legs with shells and smelt, but do not use fish types with a high oil content. Blend the mixture well. Add liquid vitamins and Selco or Selcon. Add liquid to make it into a thin paste. Carrot juice, sweet potato juice, clam juice or water will work. Boil 3 to 5 ounces of water and add the same amount of unflavored gelatin. Blend it with the vegetable/seafood mixture. Pour this in a pan and allow it to cool. Make squares of the mixture before it sets hard in the freezer.

    Garlic Food

    • Garlic has natural properties that kill internal parasites. Blend together a pound of pollack or catfish filets and one-eighth of a pound of raw shrimp with a pound of pureed vegetable baby food. Add .1 percent of 1 pound of minced garlic and blend it well. Spoon it into Ziplock bags and freeze it in a flat square shape. Scrape small slivers off and use as a supplement to other food.