....copy of short filler article I wrote for JAKA a few years back..........this is a great, cheap, nutritious, small pellet food for smaller killies from a manufacturer who supplies commercial fish farms. It is available at retail thru Pentair Systems. All my killies love it......I highly recommend
Zeigler Finfish Starter Food
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I came across this fish food on recommendation from friend and local fish breeder Bill Cole who has been using it extensively for some time. It is manufactured by Zeigler Brothers which is a well known supplier of foods for aquaculture and pets. It is a slow sinking pellet food with some interesting properties. The particular grade I use is the #1 CRUMBLE designation. The diameter of the small pellets is from .6 mm to .85 mm. At that size, the small pellets are light enough so as not to break the surface tension of the water so long as they are sprinkled lightly on to the surface from a minimum height above the water. Thus, in the absence of significant surface water movement, they will initially float on the surface and rapidly spread out along it. I have thus far used it with many Aphyosemion, Lampeye, and Epiplaty species with good success. My killies seem to particularly like these small pellets and seek them out as soon as they see them on the surface. An interesting feature of these pellets is as follows. As a killie rises to the surface to grab a pellet, the immediate surface area around the breach is often roiled enough to cause several nearby floating pellets to sink. These pellets will then often be eaten on the way down by other killies in the area. Thus, you effectively have both a floating and sinking food together. In fact, depending on the number of killies and amount of pellets sprinkled on the surface, nearly all the pellets are either consumed on the surface or before they hit the bottom. Note that the larger #2 CRUMBLE size (.85mm - 1.2mm) sinks rather rapidly and I feel is not as useful. Eventually, the pellets absorb water , swell, soften........and then sink to the bottom. This food is available thru Pentair Master Catalog 40th Edition and can be purchased in 5lb quantities for $17.02 plus postage. Minimum protein level is 55% and supposedly contains carotenid pigments to enhance growth. Also contains Vpak (Vitality Pak) to enhance disease resistance. It seems to also be liked by a wide range of other fish including characins, cyprinids, livebearers, smaller cichlids and (upon sinking) cory catfish. I have provided samples to about a half dozen members of my local killie affiliate club and most have reported good results. Give it a shot as it is a convenient alternative between live food feedings..
zeiglerfeed.com
pentairaes.com
pentairaes.com
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