Foods with artificial colorant.

Fishes get their colors from pigment cells. Xanthophyll pigments are yellow, Melanin pigments are black and/or brown, Carotenoids are orange and/or red, Phycocyanin is blue. Fishes cannot produce some pigments such as carotenoids and xanthophylls, therefore it must come from their diet.

The common practice of fish food manufacturer is to lace the foods with artificial colorant or dye especially of the red kind. Once consumed by the fish, it will take the place of carotenoid pigments in the cells beneath the scales, thus displaying the red color. This artificial dye will wreck havoc to the endocrine and nervous system, both that influence coloration in fish. Because of this, the production of certain pigments such as melanin goes hay-wire and black and/or brown pigments will show up at the tail or some parts of the fishes’ body, making the fish look “dirty”.

The red dye pigments which some are bigger in size cannot be absorbed in the intestinal tract, thus blocking it. This will prevent other good nutritions from being digested. That is why it is common that heavily dyed fishes are stunted, unable to breed and grow much less than its fullest potential. It will also affect the reproductive system of the fish.

If the feces of the fish is reddish in color, this means that lots of artificial dye is in the food and cannot be digested and in turn, passed out. This is a telling sign that this food is using the “overwhelming” method to color the fish by pumping as much dye into the body of the fish. Some dyes will stick and some wont, the ones that stick will make your fish so-called red and pretty. The ones that don’t, will only make the water red and color the silicon glue or air pipes in your tank!

The best red colorant in its most natural form is astaxanthin from shrimps,krill or salmon fish. Astaxanthin also acts as an anti-oxidant 10 times stronger that beta-carotene and 100 times stronger than vitamin E.

For yellow color (xanthophylls) corn gluten meal and egg meal is recommended. Where as, for blue/green color, algae or seaweed is known to have the blue color pigments.

Hormones!

Fish coloration using hormones tricks the fishes’ system to belief a false early maturity. The hormone commonly used is Testosterone that allows a premature storage and expression of color pigments. Juvenile fishes do not have the maturity for storage capabilities of color pigments as compared to adult fishes. That is why most juvenile fishes are often pale in color.

If fed with food that contains hormones, the fishes will immediately “mature” to have capabilities to contain color pigments. These treated juveniles will show colors that will only naturally be exhibited by adult fishes.

Because of the false early maturity, the fishes stop growing and become stunted. Its reproductive organs will not develop properly, therefore the fish becomes sterile.

All The Flowerhorns In Our Farm eat ONLY Grand Sumo Fish Food.
Our Flowerhorn Fish Farm.

Proteins, proteins, proteins….good and bad!

Contrary to common beliefs, research shows that warm-blooded animal proteins such as beefheart cannot be digested easily and stays very long in the fishes’ stomachs and intestinal tract. This undigested foods will rot and cause parasite and bacterial infections in the fishes internal organs. Undigested proteins will pass out as feces and ammonia, fouling up the water, and poisoning your fish! Belief it or not, fish/marine proteins are the best source of proteins for cichlids because they are naturally and easily digested and it do not create much problems. BTW, in the wild, do cichlids eat anything at all from any warm-blooded animals? Just a thought…

The nutritional values of proteins will not be properly utilized if it cannot be naturally digested (such as beefheart) or if there is a lack of essential amino acids. Therefor, the best food for your fish must be rich in digestible proteins and has all the essential amino acids to synthesise them.

The danger of choosing fish foods that has very high protein claims will only give a false sense of hope. In actuality, it will render the fish deficient of nutrition, resulting in growth retardation and low immunity against diseases if the food is not made from the right proteins or do not have a proper essential amino acid balance. Remember, the higher the content of proteins that are not absorbed and passed out, the more frequent water change you must do to prevent poison (ammonia) build-up in the water.

But, why white fish meals from the cold waters?

GrandSumo is made from natural white fish meat such as salmon, cod, herring and tuna. These fishes are rich in marine proteins and Omega 3 and 6 HUFA (highly unsaturated fatty acids). Omega 3 and 6 HUFA are widely known to enhance the immune systems making your fish healthy and lively. Salmon is also known to be rich in natural astaxanthin (the best form of carotenoid) to enhance your fishes natural colors.

The nutritional fish oils is also reputed to enhance the reproductive systems of fishes.

All The Flowerhorns In Our Farm eat ONLY Grand Sumo Fish Food.
Our Flowerhorn Fish Farm.

Why is Grand Sumo unique compared to other foods?

Natural growth enhancer.
GrandSumo is made from the freshest and highest quality, 100% natural white fish meat from the cold water variety such as salmon, cod, herring and tuna. It is rich in the right proteins (fish proteins 48%) and has a balance of all the essential amino acids for easy and natural synthesis. It is designed for maximum protein absorption for faster and proper growth, thicker bodies and bigger-sized fish. (Bigger nuchal hump for flowerhorns too!)

Rich in Omega 3 and 6 HUFA
The high Omega 3 and 6 content acts as an immune booster, making your fish much healthier and livelier. For breeders, it acts as a reproductive enhancer! Your fish will breed a much larger spawn and have higher fertilization rate. The hatch rate is extremely enhanced producing healthy fries. The spawning cycle is also shortened tremendously.

High absorption rate, less feces output
This high protein and good amino acid profile formula makes your fishes absorb all the proper nutrition, vitamins and trace elements and produce very little feces output. Its hi-density floating pellets do not cloud water and makes tank maintenance much easier.

Highly palatable and fast acceptance.
GrandSumo is made from fresh natural seafoods including shrimps. Your fishes will simply love it, faster. It will be very difficult to change to other foods once your fishes are hooked on GrandSumo. Also, good as nursing food for sick fishes as it does not cloud water.

Vitamins, trace elements and amino acid rich.
GrandSumo is known for its high content of vitamins such as stabilized vitamin C, B12,A,E and a host of other important minerals. It is also supplemented with beta-carotene and natural astaxanthin for bright natural colors and healthy sheen. Your fish will show brighter “glitter” or iridescent shines from feeding GrandSumo fish food.

 

All The Flowerhorns In Our Farm Eat ONLY Grand Sumo Fish Food.
Our Flowerhorn Fish Farm.