Tetra Cichlid Colour, 500 ml is a complete food for all kinds of cichlids. According to the description, its high content of quality protein and other nutrients meets cichlids' dietary needs. It comes as round pellets with a nutrient concentrate containing natural colour enhancers for vivid red, orange and yellow cichlids. The manufacturer says it is especially suited to omnivorous and carnivorous cichlids, and the BioActive formula supports health and longevity.
Ingredients
Cereals, vegetable protein extracts, fish and fish by-products, yeasts, molluscs and crustaceans, oils and fats, minerals and algae.
Analysis: crude protein 43.0%, crude fat 5.0%, crude fibre 2.0%, moisture 8.0%. Additives: vitamin D3 1885 IU/kg, manganese 100 mg/kg, zinc 63 mg/kg, iron 41 mg/kg; colourants, preservatives and antioxidants.
The food is high in protein at 43% and moderate in fat at 5%. However, cereals are the first ingredient and fish comes only third, after vegetable protein. Molluscs, crustaceans and algae round out the diet.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | complete food, round pellets |
| For | all cichlid species |
| Feature | colour enhancers |
| Protein | 43% |
| Fat | 5% |
| Fibre | 2% |
| Volume | 500 ml |
Pros
- High protein. 43%, good for omnivorous and carnivorous cichlids.
- Colour enhancers. For red, orange and yellow fish.
- Moderate fat. 5% means less risk of obesity.
- Molluscs, crustaceans, algae. Varied raw materials.
- Complete food. Suitable as a staple.
- Large tub. 500 ml for a cichlid tank.
Cons and what to watch
- Cereals come first. Fish is only the third ingredient.
- Only vitamin D3 listed. The card has a typo ("Vitamin Vitamin D3") and no other vitamins.
- Colour enhancers not named. Which natural pigments are used is unknown.
- No pellet size. It is unclear whether small cichlids can manage it.
- No feeding guide.
How to feed
Feed 2–3 times a day in small portions that the fish finish in 2–3 minutes. Remove leftovers so they do not foul the water. The pellets suit medium and large cichlids; if your fish are small, check they can swallow them. Feeding is covered in detail in aquarium fish food: how to feed.
Food and colour
Colour enhancers make bright colours more intense, but the effect shows after several weeks of regular feeding. Colour also depends on health, water quality and stress: in a cramped tank with poor water, fish turn pale whatever they eat. For brighter colour in other fish there is, for example, TetraRubin.
A varied diet
Cichlids benefit from alternating foods. For large cichlids, Tetra Cichlid Sticks work well, and for small herbivorous ones, Tetra Cichlid Algae Mini. Discus, which are also cichlids, need their own food, such as Tetra Discus.
Herbivorous cichlids
The manufacturer says the food is especially suited to omnivorous and carnivorous cichlids. For herbivorous species, such as many Malawi mbuna, large amounts of high-protein food can upset digestion. They do better on an algae-based, plant-heavy food.
A tank for cichlids
Cichlids are usually large, active fish that need spacious tanks with strong filtration and aeration. For tanks from 100 l, an air pump such as the Resun AIR-8000 is one option.
Storage
Keep the tub tightly closed in a cool, dry place out of the sun. Once opened, it is best used within a few months, as vitamins and pigments gradually break down.
Who it suits
Tetra Cichlid Colour suits omnivorous and carnivorous cichlids with red, orange and yellow colouring as a staple food. Other foods are in the fish food section.
Verdict
Tetra Cichlid Colour is a complete pellet food for cichlids with colour enhancers, 43% protein and 5% fat, plus molluscs, crustaceans and algae. The downsides are cereals as the first ingredient, only vitamin D3 listed (with a typo on the card), unnamed colour enhancers and pellet size, and no feeding guide.
FAQ
Which fish is it for?
All cichlid species, especially omnivorous and carnivorous ones.
How much protein?
43%.
How much fat?
5%.
Does it improve colour?
Yes, it contains natural colour enhancers.
How often should I feed?
Usually 2–3 times a day in small portions.
Is it suitable for herbivorous cichlids?
A plant-based food is a better choice.
What volume is it?
500 ml.
