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Tony Griffitts'
Beef Heart Aquarium Fish Food Recipe
I use this home made aquarium fish food recipe for raising Discus and other fish including Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia reticulata endleri). It is a high protein fish food that gives the fish outstanding color and growth rate.
- 4 lbs (1.8 kg) Beef Heart
- 8 oz (225 g) Freeze Dried Krill (Krill gives the fish outstanding color and growth, and it is a natural binder that keeps the mixture from falling apart in the water).
- 4 to 6 tsp Kent Zoe Freshwater Vitamins or 1 Tblsp spirulina powder (available at most health food stores).
- Small amount of Water for processing
The krill is processed first in a meat grinder, which turns it into a powder. Then the beef heart is ground once. I then add the powdered krill and the vitamins (or spirulina powder) to the beef heart. I then mix it all together adding water to soften the texture. I then flatten it out in a zip lock baggy to not more than a ½ inch (1.25 cm) and than I freeze it. After it has been frozen for 48 hours I remove a bag from the freezer and process it through a Salad Shooter (powered cheese grater) and then it goes back into the freezer.
For very small fry I do not grate the beef heart mix. I break off sold chunks and use a very small hand held grater that shreds the mix into very small pieces. I use an old toothbrush to wipe the grater clean in the water.
Garlic can also be added to the mixture for a natural anti-parasitic affect. You will need to start with a small amount of garlic (no more than 1 Tsp). You can increase the amount of garlic to the mixture as the fish get use to the taste. To much garlic and your fish will not eat the food.
Published - 2006
