TetraRubin flakes, 12 g is a flake mix with a special colour-enhancing complex for daily feeding of tropical fish. According to the description, a high content of natural colour enhancers makes all red, orange and yellow fish more vivid, with the effect visible within two weeks. The food contains the BioActive formula and prebiotics for better digestion. Ingredients: fish and fish by-products, cereals, yeasts, molluscs and crustaceans, vegetable protein extracts, oils and fats, algae, sugar (oligofructose 0.9%), minerals. Analysis: protein 46%, fat 11%, fibre 2%, moisture 6%.
What the manufacturer claims
Tetra promises complete nutrition and strong colouring within two weeks of regular feeding. Beyond colour, the manufacturer stresses fish health and longevity thanks to BioActive, and clear water. Additives: vitamin A 40,820 IU/kg, vitamin D3 2320 IU/kg, manganese 78 mg/kg, zinc 46 mg/kg, iron 30 mg/kg, colourants and antioxidants.
Key specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Form | flakes |
| For | red, orange and yellow tropical fish |
| First ingredient | fish and fish by-products |
| Protein | 46% |
| Fat | 11% |
| Prebiotic | oligofructose 0.9% |
| Colour effect | in 2 weeks |
| Weight | 12 g |
Pros
- Fish comes first. The base is animal protein.
- Colour enhancers. For red, orange and yellow fish.
- Prebiotic. Oligofructose for digestion.
- For daily feeding. A complete food, not a supplement.
- More vitamin A. Than the brand's Cichlid and Energy foods.
- No preservatives listed. Only colourants and antioxidants among additives.
Cons and what to watch
- Ingredients by category. Shares and specific colour enhancers are not disclosed.
- Colourants. Not specified.
- Flakes crumble. Fine crumbs settle and foul the water.
- Small pack. 12 g is for trying or a nano tank.
How colour enhancers work
Fish get their red, orange and yellow pigments from food — they cannot make them themselves. Carotenoids in the food are deposited in the skin and scales, and the colour becomes richer. That is why the effect is not immediate but appears after several weeks of regular feeding, and gradually fades if you switch to a food without enhancers.
Which fish it suits
The food suits swordtails, platies, cardinal tetras, barbs, guppies, bettas and other fish with warm colour tones. For blue and silver fish the colour enhancers give no noticeable effect, but the food is still complete. For bettas Tetra also has a dedicated food — Tetra Betta Granules.
Flakes or granules
Flakes sink slowly and suit fish that feed at the surface and in mid-water. Granules sink faster and are better for fish that feed lower down. Tetra makes both: the TetraRubin granules review will help you choose.
How to feed
Give as many flakes as the fish eat in 2–3 minutes, 2–3 times a day. Crush large flakes for small fish. For brighter colours, feed regularly for at least two weeks and keep an eye on water quality: in poor water fish turn pale whatever they eat.
Alternating foods
Rubin can be combined with a staple food such as TetraMin or with TetraPro Colour crisps. A varied diet is good both for health and for keeping fish interested in food.
Storage
Close the pack after each feeding and keep it in a cool, dry place. Carotenoids and vitamins break down faster in light and heat, so do not keep the food on the tank lid under the lamp.
Colour is not only about food
Colour intensity also depends on stress, lighting, tank background and tankmates. Fish turn pale with illness, poor water quality and aggression from other inhabitants. A colour-enhancing food works best in a calm, properly cycled aquarium.
Who it suits
The flakes suit owners of tanks with red, orange and yellow fish as a daily food to keep colours bright. The 12 g pack is for trying and small aquariums. More foods are in fish food.
Verdict
TetraRubin flakes are a daily food with fish as the first ingredient, 46% protein, a prebiotic and colour enhancers that show results within two weeks. The downsides are ingredients listed by category without naming the colour enhancers, unspecified colourants and a small pack.
FAQ
How soon will colours get brighter?
According to the description, in about two weeks.
Which fish does it suit?
Fish with red, orange and yellow colouring.
Can I feed it every day?
Yes, it is a complete daily food.
How much protein?
46%.
How do flakes differ from granules?
Flakes sink slowly; granules sink faster.
Does it contain a prebiotic?
Yes, oligofructose 0.9%.
How long will 12 g last?
Several weeks for a small aquarium.
