Who doesn’t love beautiful fish with bright, vivid coloration? They bring real interest to any tank, and cichlids are no exception when it comes to bright colors. Sometimes, your fish look a little dull.
Don’t worry. There is a solution. Choosing the right food, feed specially designed to enhance the color of the cichlid.
Here, I’ll review all the best cichlid food for colors.
Table Of Contents
- What’s The Best Cichlid Food For Color?
- Omega One Super Color Cichlid Pellets
- NorthFin Cichlid Food
- TetraCichlid Balanced Diet Flakes Food
- Dainichi Cichlid Food – Color Sinking Small Pellet
- Aqueon Cichlid Food Pellets
- New Life Spectrum Cichlid Formula Freshwater Food
- Royal Pet Supplies Spirulina Flake Fish Food
- Repashy Superfoods Green
- Hikari Cichlid Gold Floating Pellets
- What Is The Best African Cichlid Food For Color?
- Your Questions Answered
What Is The Best African Cichlid Food For Color?
The best food for African cichlid color is NorthFin Cichlid Food,
Click to Learn More / Buy from AmazonWhat’s The Best Cichlid Food For Color?
The best food for cichlid color is Omega One Super Color Cichlid Pellets. Read my full review below.
No products found.Omega One Super Color Cichlid Pellets
No products found.Rich in omega 3, fatty acids, and omega 6, as well as beta carotenes. The omega one super color is designed to enhance colors.
But also help cichlids have a balanced diet with access to the nutrients they need.
Features
- Feeding Directions – 3 times daily, only as much as fish can consume in 2 minutes.
- Flakes
Ingredients
- Whole Salmon
- Whole Herring
- Black Cod
- Halibut
- Whole Shrimp
- Wheat Flour
- Wheat Gluten
- Fresh Kelp
- Lecithin
- Astaxanthin
- L-Ascorbyl-2-Phosphate
- Natural and Artificial Colors
- Vitamin A Acetate
- Vitamin D3 Supplement
- Vitamin E Supplement
- Vitamin B12 Supplement
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Pantothenic Acid
- Folic Acid
- Biotin
- Inositol
- Tocopherol
- Ethoxyquin
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- No artificially produced ingredients, all components are high-quality
- Designed for cleaner tanks and less fish waste
- Easy to digest
- No fish meal, made of whole ingredients
- Suitable for all cichlids, South American and African
Cons
- Some found they crumbled too easily
- Some found the flakes weren’t that big
- Not suitable as a complete supplement for adults, best used in combination with something else
- Some found they smelled funny
NorthFin Cichlid Food
Made with premium ingredients such as organic kelp, Spirulina, herring meal, and whole antarctic krill meal, this cichlid food is rich in nutrients and natural ingredients.
Features
- Feeding Directions – 1-2 times daily, only what fish consume in 5 minutes or less
- Slow sinking pellets
- Made in Canada
Ingredients
- Whole Antarctic Krill Meal
- High Omega-3
- Herring Meal
- Whole Sardine Meal
- Wheat Flour
- Kelp
- Spirulina
- Garlic
- Astaxanthin
- Calcium Montmorillonite Clay
- Vitamin A Acetate
- L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate
- D-Activated Animal-Sterol
- DL Alphatocopherol
- Vitamin B12 Supplement
- Riboflavin Supplement
- Niacin
- Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- Folic Acid, Biotin
- Choline Chloride
- Cobalt Sulfate
- Ferrous Sulfate
- Manganese Sulfate
- Selenium
- Zinc
Pros
- The formula is free of any artificial ingredients, hormones, and products
- Fast increases the quality of the cichlids’ colors
- Very high quality
- Designed, so it doesn’t cloud the water in the fish tank
- Satisfies even picky eaters
- Excellent size for a variety of cichlids
Cons
- Some found it clouds the water
- Some fish will stop eating it after a few weeks
- A bit expensive
TetraCichlid Balanced Diet Flakes Food
A scientifically researched and tested formula from a company that was founded in 1951, Tetra has years of tried and tested experience in creating a great cichlid food.
Features
- Feeding Directions – 2-3 times daily, as much as fish can eat in 3-4 mins
- Floating Flakes
Ingredients
- Fish Meal
- Ground Brown Rice
- Dried Yeast
- Shrimp Meal
- Potato Protein
- Dehulled Soybean Meal
- Wheat Gluten
- Soybean Oil
- Fish Oil
- Sorbitol
- Lecithin
- L-Lysine Monochlorhydride
- Algae Meal
- Feeding Oat Meal
- Yeast Extract
- Vitamin C
- Riboflavin-5-Phosphate
- Inositol
- Niacin
- L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate
- D-Calcium Pantothenate
- A-Tocopherol-Acetate
- Thiamine Mononitrate
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex
- Biotin
- Vit. B12 Supplement
- Cholecalciferol
- Color Includes: Beta-Carotene, Annatto Extract, Blue 2 Lake, Red 3, Yellow 5 Lake, Yellow 6 Lake
- Ethoxyquin
Pros
- Enhanced with Vitamin C
- Available in a variety of different size containers
- Lots of nutrition and necessary nutrients
- The flakes don’t disintegrate, less waste and a cleaner fish tank
- Great for all cichlids
- Excellent value for the price
Cons
- The flakes are quite big. You’ll need to cut them up for smaller cichlids.
Dainichi Cichlid Food – Color Sinking Small Pellet
Specially formulated for enhancing the color in your cichlids, it has enhanced natural ingredients and is enriched with a variety of other items.
This is the perfect food for cichlids to bring out some fantastic coloration.
Features
- Feeding Directions – 2-3 times daily, as much as fish can eat in 3-4 mins
- Sinking pellets
Ingredients
- Whitefish meal
- Wheat flour
- Krill
- Wheat germ
- Spirulina
- Pea protein
- Brewers yeast
- Copepod meal
- Montmorillonite clay
- Gum acacia
- Astaxanthin
- Garlic
- Calcium carbonate
- Protease
- Beta-glucan
- Vit A Acetate
- D-Activated Animal Sterol
- DL-alpha-Tocopherol
- L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate
- B12 Supplement
- Choline Chloride
- Niacin
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Riboflavin Supplement
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- Thiamine Mononitrate
- Inositol
- Folic Acid
- Menadione Sodium
- Bisulfite Complex
- Biotin
Pros
- Small pellets, great size for all cichlids
- Good quality food
- Full of necessary nutrients
- Good price
- Helps cichlids develop their colors while also keeping them healthy
Cons
- If you prefer floating pellets, don’t buy these.
Aqueon Cichlid Food Pellets
Combining balanced nutrition with added ingredients to help promote happy and vibrant fish, this a great all-rounder food for all sorts of cichlids from big to small.
Features
- Feeding Directions – Small amount once daily, adjust amount as necessary
- Slow sinking pellets
Ingredients
- Whole Fish Meal
- Whole Wheat Flour
- Whole Dried Krill
- Wheat Gluten Meal
- Soybean Meal
- Squid Meal
- Dried Yeast
- Fish Oil
- Kelp Meal
- Garlic
- Spirulina
- Marigold Powder
- Chili Powder
- Natural Astaxanthin
- Choline Chloride
- Calcium Propionate
- L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate
- Vitamin A Acetate
- Cholecalciferol
- Riboflavin Supplement
- Vitamin B12 Supplement
- Niacin
- Menadione Sodium Bisulphite Complex
- Folic acid
- Thiamine
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- Calcium Pantothenate
- Biotin
- DL-Alphatocopherol
- Manganese sulfate
- Cobalt sulfate
- Ferrous Sulfate
- Copper Sulfate
Pros
- Designed not to cloud the water
- Available in a range of sizes for different sized cichlids
- Designed to satisfy even the picky eaters
- Great, affordable price
Cons
- Some found they didn’t float. They were more like sinking pellets
- Some found they had a strange smell
New Life Spectrum Cichlid Formula Freshwater Food
Designed for cichlids with an enhanced formula for better nutrients and colors, this contains no artificial ingredients. New life Spectrum makes a variety of different cichlid foods, perfect for any need.
Features
- Feeding Directions – 1-2 times daily
- Sinking pellets
Ingredients
- Whole Antarctic Krill
- Whole Wheat Flour
- Whole Menhaden Fish* Ulva Seaweed
- Chlorella Seaweed
- Wakame Seaweed
- Kelp
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Astaxanthin
- Spirulina
- Omega-3 Fish Oil Marigold
- Zeaxanthin
- Capsanthin
- Eucheuma cottonii
- Chondrus crispus
- Spinosum Seaweed
- Bentonite Clay
- Sea Salt
- Vitamin A Acetate
- Vitamin D Supplement
- Vitamin B12 Supplement
- Niacin
- Folic Acid
- Biotin
- Thiamine Hydrochloride
- Riboflavin Supplement,
- Pyridoxine Hydrochloride
- Calcium Pantothenate
- L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (Vitamin C)
- Choline Chloride
- Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide
- Cobalt Sulfate
- Ferrous Sulfate
- Manganese Sulfate
Pros
- Made in the USA
- Full of great ingredients designed for happy, healthy fish
- All sorts of cichlids love them
- Will even satisfy picky eaters
- Brings out colors quite well
Cons
- The pellets are tiny, so may not suit larger cichlids
- They sink, and uneaten ones might get lost in the substrate, making the tank messy
- Smells a bit strange
Royal Pet Supplies Spirulina Flake Fish Food
Primarily composed of Spirulina, (biomass made of blue/green algae), these are protein-rich flakes suited for almost any type of fish, not just cichlids.
Features
- Feeding Directions – 1-2 times daily, only what fish can consume in 5 minutes or less
- Flakes
Ingredients
- Salmon Fish Meal
- Spirulina Algae Meal
- Soy Flour
- Wheat Flour
- Brewers Dried Yeast
- Corn Starch
- Dried Krill Meal
- Shrimp Meal
- Plankton Meal
- Lecithin
- Vegetable Oil
- Vitamin A Supplement
- Vitamin B12 Supplement
- Vitamin D3 Supplement
- Vitamin E Supplement
- L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate
Pros
- Not too many ingredients, only the natural essentials are included
- Spirulina is rich in protein and is a natural source of 7 different vitamins
- Made in the USA
- Natural color enhancers included
- Good value for the price
Cons
- Unfortunately, it creates lots of waste
- Inconsistent size of the flakes, some are huge and some re small
Repashy Superfoods Green
It is created with a veggie-based formula and plenty of natural, nutrient-full ingredients. These are high in protein and essential vitamins and omega-3, fatty acids, and omega 6.
Features
- Feeding Directions – 1-2 times daily
- Cube-Shaped Pellets
Ingredients
- Spirulina Algae
- Algae Meal
- Krill Meal
- Pea Protein Isolate
- Squid Meal
- Rice Protein Concentrate
- Fish Meal
- Alfalfa Leaf Meal
- Dried Brewers Yeast
- Coconut Meal
- Stabilized Rice Bran
- Flax Seed Meal
- Schizochytrium Algae
- Dried Seaweed Meal
- Lecithin
- Dried Kelp
- Locust Bean Gum
- Potassium Citrate
- Taurine
- Stinging Nettle
- Garlic
- Rose Hips
- Hibiscus Flower
- Calendula Flower
- Marigold Flower
- Paprika
- Turmeric
- Salt
- Calcium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate
- Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate
- Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate
- Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate
- Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate
- Selenium Yeast.
- Vitamins: (Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement, Choline Chloride, Calcium L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Beta Carotene, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex).
Pros
- Plenty of nutrient-rich ingredients
- Suitable for a wide variety of fish, not just cichlid ingredients
- A great substitute for green veggies like green peas and cucumber
Cons
- More suited for goldfish as a complete food, for cichlids, it’s better as a supplement to other foods.
Hikari Cichlid Gold Floating Pellets
It contains beta-carotene as a natural color enhancer and designed to promote long life and a healthy immune system.
Made with natural ingredients. Floating pellets to monitor how much your cichlids eat much easier.
Features
- Feeding Directions – 1-2 times daily
- Floating Pellets
Ingredients
- White Fish Meal
- Wheat Flour
- Wheat Germ Meal
- Brewers Dried Yeast
- Soybean Meal
- Shrimp Meal
- Dehydrated Alfalfa Meal
- Carotene
Pros
- Doesn’t cloud the water
- Contain stabilized vitamin C
- Great for a variety of different cichlids
Cons
- Some found they disintegrate too quickly
- Can clog up the water sometimes, but this is rare
- Some found they were too big
Your Questions Answered
How Do I Make My African Cichlids Color Improve?
Here are some ways to help your African cichlids color improve.
- Feed them live/freeze-dried foods and others as well so they get the nutrients they need
- Make sure there’s not too much or too little tank lighting.
- Make sure to do regular water changes to keep the cichlids healthy.
Here’s an excellent video by Cichlidscape on Youtube, explaining more solutions to this problem.
Why Are My African Cichlids Losing Color?
Here are a few possible reasons why your African cichlids are losing color.
- They may not have a varied enough diet, commercial foods and pellets aren’t enough by themselves
- The water quality might not be good enough
- Perhaps there’s not enough tank lighting or too much tank lighting
Do Cichlids Change Color?
Yes, many cichlids do change color as they age, or to attract a mate during the breeding season.
Does Color Enhancing Fish Food Work?
Yes, color enhancing fish food does work if used correctly. To promote color enhancement, the foods contain high levels of carotenoids. A nutrient suited for creating brighter colors.
However, cichlids need a balanced diet, and commercial food with color enhancers alone doesn’t cut it.
Hopefully, this post helped you find the best food to help your cichlids showcase their beautiful, bright coloring. It’s sure to enhance the wow factor in their coloration and add real interest to your tank.
Do you have any product recommendations or general tips on how to enhance the color of your cichlids? I’m sure other readers would appreciate your knowledge, leave a comment below.
