Exposing Fish Food Brands

[@j.t.cooper2963]

Tetra, Hikari and Fluval are what I've used for the last 36 years and have had success with all three.

[@jaki1979]

I’ve used hikari for the last 30 years and had no issues

[@naanVimalSarminra]

Hikari the best🤘🏾

[@RiverRat1953]

I like feeding my fish hikari frozen bloodworms and shrimp. My fish love them.

[@mattburke9554]

This guy just ran out of ideas and had to make a video. Don’t fall into fish keeping elitism

[@j.t.cooper2963]

@@mattburke9554 He isn't influencing me one bit. I've been in the hobby for 36 years and I know what works and what doesn't. As far as him being out of ideas for videos that happens to everybody at some point.

[@rahuls8764]

Wish this video would talk about what the key ingredients in each product are. That would explain the differences between each

[@AmericanCajunPride]

Kinda disappointed I didn't see an evaluation of Omega One. Been using it for years and I think it's great.

[@therandomman6647]

Omega-one is absolutely amazing!

[@waterdog.studios]

Same! I love that line. Very happy with it.

[@Blizz413]

Omega one is one of the best foods in my opinion. There are so many options

[@pawelmatus]

Yes, but it was awesome before the outsource to CCP.

[@51inches]

OMEGA ONE BLOWS EVERYTHING ELSE OUT OF THE WATER....JUST READ THE INGREDIENT LIST.....NO COMPARISON. ALL THESE OTHER FISH PRODUCTS RELY ON PACKAGING AND ADVERTISEMENTS. ITS ALL ABOUT THE PACKAGING...WHAT GRABS YOUR EYES.....READ THE INGREDIENTS...ANY FISH FOOD THAT SAYS FISH MEAL....ITS GARBAGE......ITS A FACT....FISH MEAL IS JUNK.....

[@alchemist384]

I can listen to John talk about aquariums all day but I kinda like the videos with the aquarium at the background much more than this 😅

[@karenhann8956]

Wanted to thank you. A few videos back you recommended North Fin. 🤔 My Flowerhorn has been eating raw shrimp and small bb size pellets. The pellets haven't been very satisfying for a fish his size. But, he needs his vitamins and minerals. I ordered the Carnivore (crunch, crunch, crunch) ~ he loves it! The Betta Bits were also a hit! Well, almost ~ there's always that one exception 😉 Thank you! 💦

[@joannemcniff4210]

I feed a variety Hikari, Saki Hikari, Wardleys and Tetra. All my goldfish seem to like them, but then all my goldfish are usually garbage hounds anyway.

[@sststr]

I have a jar of NLS betta small granules and my betta fish do like it. At one point I had a betta fish that was very old and could barely move and she spent a lot of time at the bottom of the tank lying on her side. I found the NLS betta to be the food I could most reliably drop straight down right onto her mouth so she could eat without effort. Most foods like to drift about as it descends the water column, which is no good when your fish isn't able to chase it, but the shape and size of the NLS enabled it to drop directly down without drifting. So NLS became that little fish's primary food for the last few months of her life. (Occasionally she did manage to make her way up to a resting spot near the surface and I could feed her other things from there, but that was rare, so most of the time it was the NLS.)

[@chemistrykrang8065]

I make my big pleco a little layer cake of Repashy "morning wood" (that's what it's called - take it up with them) xylivore jelly, a couple of pleco algae wafers, and a layer of repashy "bottom scratcher". I feed that every other day, with fresh veggies (courgette mostly) on the other days. He was on just algae wafers for years but they tend to float behind stuff where he's too big to get to them now so I've changed his diet. Now his food is all fixed to a pebble with a rubber band to stop it floating about so he eats all of it and we don't have any uneaten food lying around. He does a little happy pleco dance eating his dinner every evening (lights go out at 11 pm and we feed him then - he's a nocturnal fish after all) and won't let me take his food pebble out until he's eaten every last bit.

[@chemistrykrang8065]

(Only a small piece of the repashy "layer cake" obviously - I make up a few portions at a time and store in the fridge)

[@dallasdavidochoa]

I’ve tried many brands in the year I’ve been fish keeping koi/goldfish in an outdoor pond, bettas and a tropical community tank. In terms of growth, color enhancement, palatability/accessibility I’ve found that hikari and fluval are the winners for me. I’ve switched to hikari wheat germ for autumn, but when I was feeding hikari goldfish excel as a staple in the summer months my koi/goldfish never looked more vibrant - and it happened very quickly when I switched to excel. For my betta I switched to betta bug bites formula and hikari betta bio-gold - and I noticed the same quick color enhancement when I included the bio-gold in her diet.

[@doloresmanning9619]

100% with you on Michael Jordan. Total basketball legend!

[@MSPA2006]

I don’t understand why Hikari makes a specific pellet for Parrot Cichlids that floats. Experts knowledgeable on this breed say sinking pellets are better, even safer, so the fish does not consume air at the surface, causing internal issues. 🤷‍♂️

[@threadbarerag336]

Most of my pellets are Hikari. floating Staple, sinking Excel, and both floating and sinking Gold. I also buy there bloodworms and brine shrimp. I use Omega 1 algae wafers. I get New Life Spectrum cichlid pellets because they are small and nutritious. I used to use Wardley Shrimp pellets but alas, I've been force to go to Aqueon. I use Kens flake foods, Veggie, Spirulina, and mixed flakes. I try to get the ones with probiotics, but I forget because there are multiple grades and slightly different recipes (Premium and Ultimate). I also get their medicated Flakes and Pellets. I get worm pellets from Ken's too. I sue freeze dried tubifex and bloodworms from wherever I can find a good bulk deal (Aquatic Foods & Blackworm Co). I grow my own micro worms and vinegar 'eels' and I'm getting some grindal worms in the mail tomorrow. Good is good and there are multiple products that deserve consideration. Addendum; I remember when one Hartz used to use flies and mealworms and pellets and random tidbits (earthworms?) in their turtle food. I know that fish loved that stuff.

[@gennawelshkasun3959]

Had no idea about these facts. We supplement our dog food with homemade so to know there’s more facts behind the making of our fish’s food that can help with quality was really helpful. Great video. Again. 🎉

[@Whips_World]

I stick with Hikari (and the fish food police can bite me), Northfin, and Sera.

[@hagenhilldesign]

All of our fish go crazy over Hikari carnivore pellets. Recently we have heard from others about how "stinky" the water becomes when feeding a lot of these. Never thought that may be the issue with our 75. We got the recommendation to switch to Northfin to not only eliminate the smell, but also for their superior ingredients. We'll give it a try and find out. Great vid as always.

[@Smokeybluetheraccoon]

I really liked this take on this style video!

[@eemiharma]

Here in finland hikari is pretty rare and expensive. Xtreme is something that I have wanted to try but haven’t seen ANIWHERE. Tetra, sera and dr. Bassleer is most common here.

[@florencetheunicorn]

After getting my first betta many, many years ago, I decided to change their food. They now get a mix of Fluval, Northfin, and NLS. They look SOOO good and live much longer than the bettas that everyone else I know has. I do still feed some Tetra brand foods to my snails though. 😅

[@jamesclough2638]

No place has north fin my area

[@Blizz413]

Same

[@daniski2229]

I was able to order it from Chewy. Not sure if that’s an option. I ordered a large bag once and I could smell the high quality of the food however my fish would not eat it. Had to go back to Omega One

[@robertwayman7974]

If my fish eat it, I buy it.

[@andreashessler838]

Bugbites and NT Labs for me. Honourable mention for Hikari algae wafers. They are excellent!

[@andytchir8601]

Hikari is good because John uses it and they sell it at Wal Mart. Excellent points

[@robwilliams287]

thanks! good info, I haven't kept fish in a very long time and want to get started again, and a lot has changed since then olden days in the 19hunerts.

[@reddytheorangefish5837]

Very helpful video, only major one I think was missed out was Aquarian. Very interesting hearing the backstory behind a lot of them too!

[@ZzGamingRolezZ]

I have that, fish like it but it’s made in UK so I doubt it’s in America. Could be wrong though.

[@drewsta005]

When I started fish keeping back in the 80’s with my dad, we used Hikari gold for my South American cichlids. Still use their frozen foods, they’re excellent! I have used north fin and Xtreme since I got back in the hobby in 2018. Love to use variety though, so I have fed Dr. Bassler, Omega One, and cobalt. Quality matters!

[@NinniAquariums]

Hikari is a bit more rare where I live, not difficult to find, but not something that you find in a grocery store. I've got some of their food with a second hand bought aquarium, and I really liked it. It seemed to have better ingredients than most other food here, so I gave it and the fish really liked it. My picky otocinclus refuse to eat any food except some of the Hikari food for algae eaters (of course I've tested what should be similar from other brands as well). So, at least for now, when it comes to dry food, they're one of my favorites.

[@Michelle-fh2dp]

I have used Hikari since 1996 and have had happy, healthy and beautiful fish. I was in my early 40s. I learned about it from my brother who had kept fish since he was 16 and knew more about fish than anyone I know, so I took his word for it.

[@laurahodson1914]

I feed a mix depending on what I'm feeding. Hikari, NLS, fluval, dr bassilier, kens quality pellet and repashy. I've also made my own with success for bristlenose/community fish

[@zeninsyt]

I use NorthFin and Xtreme pellets ... for flake food, I use NorthFin and some private brands from two small suppliers :) I also feed Fluval Bug Bites and NorthFin Bug Pro :)

[@prunasflorin7326]

I really like to use Norwin,some great products from Norway.

[@TenorCantusFirmus]

7:40 onwards - Gorgeous Cichlids in big outdoor tanks - Wow! Almost feel like actually being in the Rift Valley.

[@Uathankicks]

I like pretty much every fish food. Food is the fish love language. What can I say, they love to EAT!

[@Loveofpets]

I feed Hikari, Fluval, omega one and Tropical.

[@tree.65]

Yes! My beta fish love fluval bug bites! They are so happy when I drop some into their water. I can tell by their actions that they know the difference between pellets and bug bites. Forget about flakes. They spit it out or ignore them. They trained me well. LOL!

[@wisp400]

My fish love Cobalt and Hikari! The Cobalt betta food is my betta's favorite.

[@victoriablack5552]

I use Northfin community, vege pellets, fry food and bug bites. Unfortunately I can't get their flakes in Australia so I use Seachem flakes. My fish love it and my plants in my deep substrate do well from the broken down fish waste to the point I no longer use fertilisers

[@pawelmatus]

Tetra is exceptional in terms of quality, value, and availability. Of course flakes are not ideal on their own. So make sure to add brine shrimp and vegetable content to keep your fish properly fed. Imo, anyway.

[@melissatrent2500]

I've used Tetra flakes, Hikari Micro pellets and just last month got my first Fluval Bug Bites, and now that's all my fish will eat! They will still eat the micro pellets, but prefer the bug bites,

[@Belgrade.Aquarist]

In Serbia we have a packed mosquito larvae food for tens of years now, so I really don’t know how new it is 😁

[@jeffmckee1825]

Used Tetra , Kordon , or Wardley's flakes for most of the 50+ years I have been the hobby. Last 25 have also used Hikari frozen as well.

[@jasonlittle4049]

I got tetra band for my fish that seem to love it

[@tmykegr1167]

I love NLS. I use their powder formula for my fry after their baby brine shrimp phase is over. I've used new life spectrum for other fish food as well and have never experienced a red hue to my water. I actually really like the brand and use New Life Spectrum and North Fin mostly in all my tanks. I also use Fluval bug bites for my Bettas. I can say that any other brand that I tried most my Bettas won't eat it. I haven't tried eXtreme but I may have to do that.

[@Mid-Americabulldogs]

Hikari is just fish dough lol Ingredients · White Fish Meal, Wheat Flour, Wheat Germ Meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Soybean Meal, Shrimp Meal, Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal, Carotene ; Directions · Use ...

[@fishypetkeeping]

I loved this list! I mainly use Fluval bug bites, and that's probably the brand that works best for my fish.

[@joeprovenzano4362]

Buf Bills guy here. You were dead nuts on Brady and Bill AND JORDAN

[@trevorsinnott123]

I have been feeding Northfin for years.

[@cammiluna]

I've been trying to get the small buckey of northfin kelp on your ste for a month but everytime i visit your site, it's sold out. That's how I know it's good stuff! I signed up for the email alerts, but i have the krill formula and Hikari bloodworms for the time being. Thanks for another awesome video!

[@Florida_gyrl]

I have found New Life Spectrum and Omega One to be the best! Fluval Bug Bites too!

[@_DROM_]

My shrimp and my snail eat Hikari. My fish eat API and Seachem. My guppies are not Seachem fans, but they don't want to go hungry, I guess. They do nibble on the snail food thou 🤔

[@reneesnugent3358]

Great information 😮

[@benh3427]

I buy and feed my fishes with what the locals used from their feed store, they import their own mix from the west coast and my fishes love it. Along with the pea , banana and shrimp.

[@dallasbrat81]

Great topic to discuss. My favorite is Otohime SD from Japan

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

Otohime is the biggest marine fish food brand in Japan. Reed Marine is the reseller in the US.

[@redcherries93x2]

This was great hearing it all together to compare. Most definitely agree extreme and northfin are best!

[@Elohssa23]

I only use xtreme, which is made in my home town! And bug bites

[@LadyNewgrdia]

Do you still sell beta online?

[@metalhead9849]

Never saw Hakari in any Walmart, fish store or anywhere else in NH. or MA.

[@Mid-Americabulldogs]

I feed alot of peas and veggies and fruits from the grocery store as well

[@lexxwhite747]

I feed northfin, Hikari and GlasGarten depending on the tank

[@jay-gx9uy]

Nothing clouds my water more than xtreme monster pellets

[@rettag2020]

Hi Lisa !

[@Ashley-vs1xh]

Wish norfin was available in the uk

[@Lookin4LoveInAllTheWrongPlaces]

Can you order it online?

[@chrisbonaiuto2625]

Omega One

[@frankiefingerz8047]

Xtreme & northfin i would say is the top 2

[@curtiscrump7153]

I use a rotated between Hikari and xtreme. Will need to try the other brands.

[@timrussell89]

Great video! I've been feeding New Life Spectrum to my betta

[@kurtisstutzman7056]

I've never seen any Hikari flakes...!??!

[@KarynJacobson]

For me it,s Tetramin and Wardleys. I find it cheap 😔 and plentiful.😊😊😊

[@maoufreed1684]

In my country all we have is Hikari and some local fish food brand so I choose Hikari who has percentage of how much my fish can take. I wish NorthFin will also be available outside U.S.

[@maoufreed1684]

Good point on accessability👌

[@skatemetal5062]

Bug bights for my Koi pond ❤❤ they love it and the water is so much cleaner

[@ramtekeamar]

The ones I bought a lot of supplies but then fish died🐠. but I think tetra supplies killed them?

[@tekjunkie28]

So what are the worst fish foods??

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

anything out of china and india.

[@simonzinc-trumpetharris852]

I use Hikari and it's always excellent.

[@WildPursuit1]

I didn't see seachem or topfin

[@gentlerain3245]

3:15 WRONG!!! Ask Procter n Gamble, Monsanto, Humana, etc.

[@rettag2020]

Hey John!

[@markfranklin8831]

They all have a spot in fish keeping IMO.

[@benininho]

Hikari is everywhere so it has to be good. McDonalds is everywhere so it has to be good, like that? What do you mean by good? Healthy? Nutritious? I have seen GMOs listed in the ingredients ofHikari food. I prefer to not give that to my fish.

[@andytchir8601]

Agreed. I wouldn't consider myself a "snob" but I read the ingredients in Hikari and will never buy it.

[@greghaste5216]

I like omega one. Has served me well for yrs.

[@scotty2hotty390]

Omega One is the best and you should definitely check them out!

[@Blizz413]

I feed my fish omega one super color flakes

[@anshsrivastava8554]

Is SERA good enough for fish

[@howspicycanitbe]

Northfin is great, but I love using Hikari fish destroy it over northfin ❤

[@hangtownvapers313]

The way you two present the information in your videos is why I just subscribed. I have watched a lot of videos about the hobby and never had interest in subscribing to any of them

[@TheSalient1]

Great vdeo thanks jon

[@zalialyon1853]

I shell peas n feed it to my fish n they love it n broccoli ..they love it n all my fish seem to like it

[@briant.4618]

I only stopped Hikari because my bristlenoses didnt like it.

[@farhajhassan8516]

Fluval filters. Hikari food. KZbin learning. Clean water. Works works works.

[@ulyssespeterson6821]

Fish. Love. Bugs.

[@yunkemoreno2309]

honestly and I can't tell the difference😮😅😊

[@therandomman6647]

Tetra IS bad if you actually look at the ingredients

[@shawndonnelly-rs5cy]

Agreed MJ best ever

[@matthewhartley8756]

Repeat my coy's blood alarms play level

[@fishyinformation]

Hikari ❤

[@realhusky]

That flower horn does not look comfortable

[@winterstar4813]

i am sending you funds

[@vwjanonomous]

I feed Dainichi to my wet pets

[@KoiUniverse]

hi

[@Organic_Body_Transformer]

Bug Bites is in a league of its own. 100g of Bug Bites cost me £13, whereas 300g of Hikari Gold cost £10, yet I still go for the Bug Bites because my fish grow a lot faster with 100g of Bug Bites than 300g of Hikari. Furthermore, I find the Hikari has so many fillers that it fouls the water; with the Hikari there are thick, bright red poops everywhere, but no poops with the Bug Bites. Also, the water develops a reddish tint with the Hikari, not to mention the cloudy water during the feeding. So Bug Bites all the way!

[@jillvalentinedontcryformea8966]

Generic Chinese brand 👍