Tony Griffitts' Beef Heart Aquarium Fish Food Recipe
By Tony Griffitts
Published - 20060501, Revised:
I use this homemade aquarium food recipe to raise Discus and other fish, including Endler's Livebearer (Poecilia reticulata [wingei]). It is a high-protein fish food that gives the fish great 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).
- A 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. Then mix it all, adding water to soften the texture. Add the fixture to a zip lock baggy and flatten it out to not more than ½ inch (1.25 cm), and then I freeze it. After freezing 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 tiny fry, I do not grate the beef heart mix. I break off sold chunks and use a small hand-held grater that shreds the mixture into 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 effect. You must start with a small amount of garlic (no more than 1 tsp). Increase the garlic as the fish gets used to the taste. Too much garlic and your fish will not eat the food.