Is there anything wrong with feeding live fish to African Cichlids?

Answer by  guyver3869 (449)

This is a long debated issue. My Cichlids have always been fed live feeder fish. But I recommend you do so only if you have a trusted supplier. Understand that your Cichlids will get what ever parasites or disease the feeder fish carry. So if you supplier is questionable, I would stick to pellets.

Answer by  Aqua (130)

Your African Cichlids will appreciate some live food from time to time. Make sure though, that the feeders are not diseased. It will make the Cichlids more aggressive.

Answer by  cattybratty (181)

It is my understanding that you are supposed to feed Cichlids live fish. When we owned them in the past, and were told to feed them live goldfish when we purchased them. We were also told not to keep any other kind of fish in the same tank because the Cichlids would eat them.

Answer by  elden (116)

There natural food is often live fish but some types are vegetarians. Although they can survive on dried food (as any other aquarium fish could) their health and general condition are greatly improved by feeding live foods (whichever is normal for them). Some are vegetarians so check first to see which type you have.

Answer by  shaji (38)

OK, so first off, on feeding brine shrimp, not as a staple mind you, but just feeding brine shrimp in general, should be fine in my mind just due to the variety of invertebrates that they must encounter in the wild.... However my friend says NO NO NO!!!