That is certainly interesting. Admittedly I haven't been in the fish keeping world long, but even my little baby fish eats OO just fine. It's NLS 1mm that I often gotta crush.

I read in somebody's spawn log that they're not worried about their fries killing themselves trying to swallow chunks of food that are too large because they tend to spit them out. Ones I have that need NLS crushed also tend to spit them out.

Thanks for showing me that thread though. Never even crossed my mind until now.

 

It's a huge relief to know your baby eats them just fine! Nimbus isn't bloated at all or anything so that's good too. I'll definitely cut the pieces up in the future because he seemed to love them! I'm happy I could shine some light on this, I would hate for it to happen to someone's buddy

 

This is interesting about the Omega. I will be watching any posts you may get on the subject.

I purchased a jar of New LIfe Spectrum Betta formula and there were a huge number of pieces that were almost doubled in size, some were almost shaped like arrowheads. I contacted NL and after a few communicae they sent me a new jar. This one seems abit more consistent in the sizes but I do avoid the larger ones, as there are plenty in a jar not to worry about tossing the larger ones.

I am interested in what other members may say about the Omega as that is one that I was soon to purchase as well for variety. Right now I also give a couple pellets of the Attisons Pro once a week for variety and those pellets are very tiny.

Good luck with your little one.

 

Haven't had a problem with any of my betta and Omega one...but couldn't any concerns and fears be allayed by soaking the pellets?

 

PS. I just spoke with the rep @ New Life and asked about the New Life "Small Fish" pellets.

She stated that they do have alittle more protein and are smaller in size than the regular NL betta formula.

Betta will do just fine on them but you need to remember these will sink, not float like NL betta formula. Once you get their attention, they will probably grab it before it floats down.

I just threw out my HIkari Bio-gold: out of the first 10 ingredients a fish product was mentioned only twice. The rest was wheat flour, soybean meal, ricebran, potato starch, wheat germ, corn gluten, wheat gluten..... Terrible.

 

Great Bettas have been raised on Hikari pellets. You want to know the secret? Never, ever, depend on just one food. My Bettas get Hikari pellets, freeze dried worms, frozen brine shrimp, and frozen Tubifex worms.

One can also cut up chicken or beef into bite size portions.

 

Just wanted to give everyone an update on Nimbus! He's fine Still VERY active and happy! I didn't feed him yesterday because I was still a bit nervous but tonight I'm going to be thawing out some Mysis Shrimp for him. I definitely learned my lesson and will be feeding much more carefully from now on!

 

NLS slightly varies in size too so it's not uncommon for different batches to come out slightly different. NLS uses different fish depending on the season and what's available.

Hikari's formula has changed and has more fillers which carnivores cannot digest. It's not terrible for omnivores and herbivores but carnivores can't digest wheat, corn, soybean, rice, and potatoes.

But yeah, if pellets get too big, just grind them against each other with your thumb and forefingers inside the container and they'll crush fairly easily usually.

EDIT: was reading more of the thread. Soaking pellets is generally not recommended as it can loose some of the nutrients. But grinding is the better method.

Other ingredients that are good to see: Garlic, Spirulina, Seaweed, Ulva, Beta Carotene, Omega3's, Vitamins, Kelp, etc.

 

I was in contact again with New Life Spectrum after reading more posts and they told me more about the "binders"

"In fact, 2+ years ago, we reduced our flour, and are now using algae for the main binder which is more nutritious."

 

Precisely! Another great reason for NLS! SeaChem is doing the same thing, they use Ulva generally for a binder instead of Wheat/Wheat Flour!

 

Whoa you're up early!

So is Seachem's food one of the better ones? Looking for another dry food brand to add to the rotation schedule. Just to even things out. But Northfin and Attisons Betta Pro are kinda hard to find. Not too keen on paying shipping either.

 

Ok cool! I should pick one up from the next-door town's Petsmart. And gee lol I wake up at 5:15 everyday for school for 12 years. Can't imagine sticking to that schedule for life ><

Edit: gotta ask though. Blood meal?

 

<<snip>> gotta ask though. Blood meal?

Yep! Loooots of protein!

Just from Wikipedia if no one knows how to google ^_^

"Blood meal is a dry, inert powder made from blood used as a high-nitrogen organic fertilizer and a high protein animal feed. N = 13.25%, P = 1.0%, K = 0.6%. It is one of the highest non-synthetic sources of nitrogen. It usually comes from cattle or hogs as a slaughterhouse by-product."

It's most often used for plants and you can find bags of it at garden centers but yeah, it's just a high protein powder. You can always ask SeaChem about it as well and ask them to explain what kind of benefits it may have over other types of ingredients.