How to Feed Lettuce to Cichlids

African cichlids are among the most beautiful freshwater fish you can purchase. There are four classifications of cichlid: carnivorous, herbivorous, omnivorous and micro-predators. Feeding your cichlids romaine lettuce as part of their diet will provide important nutrients, however, it should not be their primary food. These nutrients will help the fish keep their color because of the beta-carotene, canthaxanthin and other vitamins they contain. The high fiber content in greens helps reduce the incidence of intestinal blockages. Some of the safest foods for cichlids are vegetable and plant-based, such as romaine lettuce.

Things You'll Need

  • Fish vegetable clip
  • Rock
  • Rubber band
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Freeze a leaf of romaine lettuce. If you freeze the lettuce for a half-hour prior to feeding, the lettuce will sink to the bottom and become soft and palatable for your cichlids.

    • 2

      Boil the romaine leaf for a few seconds, as an alternative method. Do not over boil or you will remove the natural vitamins in the lettuce. Only soften it enough so it sinks to the bottom of the tank.

    • 3

      Purchase a lettuce clip from a fish store. These clips have a suction cup on their side. You can then attach a romaine leaf and stick the clip to the side of the tank.

    • 4

      Attach the lettuce to a rock by wrapping a rubber band around the rock and lettuce. This method will allow the lettuce to sink with the rock to the bottom of the tank.

    • 5

      Remove any food remaining in the tank after five minutes. Keeping food in the tank for extended periods of time can cause bacteria to grow.