AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FEEDING GB

PROFESSIONAL TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

Dear Aquarist, beautiful and healthy fish in the aquarium the highest quality natural raw materials. The formulation are the result of the combined influence of many factors. of each food is the distillation of many years’ experience, One of the most important of these is a well-balanced knowledge, and passion for aquarium fish. High quality diet that suits the ’ needs. This guide will help you and proven effectiveness are the quintessential virtues of to choose Tropical foods most suitable for your fish and Tropical foods. And the special feature that distinguishes teach you how to put them together to compose a com- them from other foods is the passion we put into their cre- plete healthy diet. Tropical foods are manufactured from ation. This makes Tropical products unique.

Raw materials presented in the picture are the example of ingredients used for production of Tropical’s foods.

1 2 3

4 5 6 7

8 9 10

1. egg • 2. algae • 3. spinach • 4. beta-carotene • 5. natural xanthophylls from marigold flowers • 6. shrimp meal 7. spirulina • 8. astaxanthin • 9. krill meal • 10. lysine 2 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

CONTENTS

Foreword 4 Basic principles of fish feeding 6 Multi-ingredient foods 8 Vegetable foods 14 Colour-enhancing foods 18 Natural foods 21 Nano aquaria and foods for the fry 22 Foods for freshwater and marine 24 Water treatment products 26 Accessories 28 Filtration media and sponge filters 29 Sample diets 30 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

FOREWORD

We still continue in our efforts to improve the formulas of our foods. As a result we decided to introduce new system of their classification. It categorizes Natural, Standard and Premium foods.

Natural line consists of dried and freeze-dried . The remaining two lines include products in the form of flakes, granules, tablets, wafers, sticks, pellets and chips. All Tropical foods share some common features: they are manufactured from the best quality raw materials, they don’t cloud the water and are extremely palatable.

Premium foods have been further subdivided into five categories based on their intended use:

 Yellow category – universal foods  Purple category – foods for cichlids  Green category – foods for bottom-feeding fish and crustaceans  Red category – foods dedicated to specific species of fish or group of fish  Blue category – foods for marine fish

These colours will progressively appear on new labels of all our foods. Such classification will make it easier for our clients to find proper foods for their fish.

Yellow category Purple category Green category Red category Blue category

4 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

We have also modified our offer of foods in the form of tablets. The simplification will navigate your way through our offer, making the choice of proper tablets quick and easy. Moreover, Premium adhesive tablets (12 mm) have been engraved with „fish” image to emphasize their uniqueness.

New foods in the form of tablets

Name Packaging The diameter Vitabin multi-ingredient 50 ml 12 mm Vitabin vegetable 50 ml 12 mm Pleco's Tablets 50 ml, 250 ml, 5 l 25 mm Supervit Tablets A 50 ml, 250 ml, 2 l 12 mm Supervit Tablets B 50 ml, 250 ml, 2 l 8 mm Vitality & Color Tablets 50 ml, 250 ml, 2 l 12 mm 3-Algae Tablets A 50 ml, 250 ml, 2 l 12 mm 3-Algae Tablets B 50 ml, 250 ml, 2 l 8 mm Super Spirulina Forte Tablets 50 ml, 250 ml, 2 l 12 mm Tropical Nanovit Tablets sachet 10 g 8 mm TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FISH FEEDING

Tropical’s wide range of foods, along with the different of the . When fed with Tropical foods, your fish re- forms in which they are offered, allows precise adjustment ceive all essential nutrients in the form that enables them to to the requirements of a given species or group of species, feed in a way close to that intended by Nature. including different dietary preferences and the age and size

The FISH Available way food Small and medium Big fish eating Fish eating from Fry

forms behaves Graphic fish eating at the at the surface the middle layers Bottom eaters

in water representation surface of water of water of water flakes płatki floating x x granules granulat mini granules sinking x x x nano granules chips chips sinking x x sticks pałeczki floating x pelletspellet floating x adhesive tablets tabletki sinking x x samoprzylepne sinking tablets tabletki tonące sinking x wafers wafelki sinking x dried and pokarmy suszone freeze-dried foods floating x x i liofilizowane microvits floating

6 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

When composing a diet for your fish, take into account the proportions of multi-ingredient, vegetable and high-protein foods shown in the diagrams.

CARNIVOROUS FISH OMNIVOROUS FISH HERBIVOROUS FISH

15% 20% vegetable foods 30%* (* or foods rich in chitin) 25% 10% high-protein foods 70% 60% 70% multi-ingredient foods

Compose your own original menu for your fish. Use 7 basic principles of correct feeding. If you are unsure what type of food your fish should receive, consult your dealer.

7 basic principles of correct feeding

PRINCIPLE WHY...?

1. Varied diet. In nature fish have different sources of food at their disposal. Hence always remember that beautiful, healthy and eagerly spawning fish are the result of a varied diet.

2. The diet should be compatible with Different fish’s alimentary systems are adapted to digesting different types the fish’s natural nutritional preferences. of food. It is your role to supply your fish with the right food. Feeding unsuitable foods may lead to fatty degeneration of internal organs, digestive and reproductive problems, as well as reduced resistance to diseases.

3. The size and form of the food should be The size, shape and position of a fish’s mouth are adjusted to feeding on compatible with the size of the fish’s mouth specific types of food. By using the appropriate form of food in your and its feeding method. aquarium, you will enable the fish to feed in a near-natural manner.

4. Feed fish with small portions that are eaten Uneaten food lying on the bottom of the tank leads to the deterioration immediately. of water quality, which has a negative effect on fish’s health and condition.

5. Fry and herbivorous fish need to be fed Young, growing fish need more food (in terms of the amount of food per unit several times a day with small portions, of body mass) than adults, in which the growth rate is significantly lower. older fish and predators less often. The alimentary system of herbivorous fish is adapted to the constant intake of small amounts of food. This can be simulated in the aquarium by frequent feeding with small portions.

6. One-day fast (not for fry). Give your fish a one-day fast. It will cleanse their organisms of toxins and improve alimentary tract function. Remember that in their natural environment fish are often hungry.

7. Beware of live foods! Live foods may be the source of pathogenic organisms.

7 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

MULTI-INGREDIENT FOODS

Multi-ingredient foods are characterised by a variety of selected have an exceptionally beneficial influence on the health, breeding ingredients of animal and origin, which make them a basic and appearance of fish. They are particularly useful for feeding fish component in aquarium fish’s diet. Enriched with vitamins, trace kept in community tanks due to the variety of forms available. elements and valuable natural substances, e.g. beta-glucan, they

SUPER WAVIL ICHTIO-VIT

• basic food for popular fish (such as swordtails, guppies, • basic food for most aquarium fish mollies, platies, barbs, danios and ) • the source of carefully balanced vitamins and trace • the source of carefully balanced vitamins elements and trace elements • ensures excellent condition and healthy growth • ensures excellent condition and healthy growth

HOBBY MIX TUBIVIT

• basic food recommended especially for young fish keepers for everyday feeding of popular fish (such as • high-protein flake food withTubifex and chironomid swordtails, guppies, mollies, platies, barbs, danios larvae for omnivorous and carnivorous fish and goldfish) • the source of easily digestible protein • ensures excellent condition and healthy growth • purified Tubifex and chironomid larvae are safe • exceptional taste encourages fish to feed alternative for live foods

WEEKEND FOOD

• sinking tablets for ornamental fish to be used in the absence of the aquarium handler • tablets do not disintegrate in water, soften very slowly when placed in the water, encouraging fish and crustaceans to feed • help keeping fish in excellent condition at weekends and during the holidays

TROPICAL

• high-protein food for omnivorous and carnivorous fish • perfect feeding solution for egg-layer breeding stock and juvenile fish • the source of essential amino acids • ensures effective weight gain 8 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

WELSI GRAN KIRYSEK

• fast sinking granules for bottom feeders • sinking granules for young fish and small bottom eaters • a variety of raw materials of animal and plant origin (such as , Pangio loaches and algae eaters) is the source of indispensable nutrients • carefully balanced ingredients of animal and plant origin ensure • optimally balanced vitamins and trace elements ensure excellent condition of fish excellent condition

BETTA BETTA GRANULAT

• basic food for fighting fish and other small labyrinth fish • basic food for fighting fish and other small labyrinth fish • a combination of flakes containing krill and freeze-dried • excellent taste encourages fish (even most fussy ones) bloodworms (5%) makes the food extremely palatable to feed • natural carotenoids, including beta-carotene, intensify coloration • natural carotenoids intensify coloration

GUPPY

• basic food for guppies and other live-bearing fish • if fed regularly, it ensures proper growth and development • natural marine salt supplement enhances fish’s condition and positively affects pregnancy • a considerable amount of plant material, including spirulina, regulates digestive processes

Adolescent fry can be fed with crumbled flakes and adhesive tablets, which consist of tiny bits of food.

9 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

SUPERVIT

• basic food for everyday feeding of most aquarium fish • its rich formula, containing tens of nutrients, provides a complete and balanced diet • natural immune stimulator – beta-glucan – enhances fish’s resistance to diseases • 6 different forms of food allow you to feed fish of different sizes and eating in different places in the aquarium

GOOD TO KNOW Beta-glucan is a natural immune stimulator, derived from yeasts. It enhances fish’s immune system, hence foods containing this valuable ingredient increase fish’s resistance to diseases. TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING TROPICAL DISCUS GRAN WILD

• food in the form of slowly sinking granules with the addition of algae, krill and fruit; intended for everyday feeding of wild discus and other demanding species of fish • contains the following algae: spirulina (Arthrospira platensis), chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris) and Ascophyllum nodosum and Laminaria digitata, referred to as kelp algae • great share of ingredients of vegetable origin, including algae and fruit, resembles the diet of wild discus • high-dose chlorophyll – green pigment coming from chlorella and spirulina, which are a concentrated source of chlorophyll – inhibits the development of unwanted bacteria in alimentary tract, preventing infections • active substances of garlic and spirulina enhance the immune system • carotenoids, from krill and red pepper among other sources, and the addition of astaxanthin, maintain natural coloration of fish and prevent fading

TROPICAL DISCUS GRAN D-50 PLUS BABY

• food in the form of tiny, slowly sinking granules enhancing growth of young discus • provides fish with high content of protein, rich in essential amino acids • it is the source of lecithin from egg yolk, indispensable for proper development • enhances immunity thanks to additions such as beta-glucan, garlic, spirulina and kelp algae GOOD • when used regularly, it ensures steady growth and development of young discus TO KNOW L-carnitine transports fatty acids across cell membranes to produce energy needed for cell’s proper Tropical granules don’t need to be soaked functioning. before feeding them to fish, as – thanks to the use of modern technology – they ex- pand only minimally after absorbing water. Hence if eaten dry, they are not dangerous to your fish.

BIONAUTIC

• multi-ing redient food for omnivorous marine fish and crustaceans • a number of natural ingredients of marine origin ensures excellent condition of fish • garlic (8%) enhances the immunity system • natural astaxanthin intensifies coloration • a considerable amount of fibre and active substances of spirulina regulate digestive processes 11 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

CICHLID RED & GREEN STICKS

• basic floating sticks for omnivorous cichlids • the mixture of red sticks (the source of animal protein and astaxanthin) and green sticks (the source of plant material, including spirulina) guarantees a rich and varied diet • natural immune stimulator – beta-glucan – together with stabilised vitamin C and active substances of spirulina increase fish’s resistance to diseases • available in two sizes: medium and large CICHLID OMNIVORE

• basic food for medium and large omnivorous cichlids (e.g. Archocentrus sajica, Aequidens rivulatus, Heros severus, Astatotilapia burtoni, Pelvicachromis taeniatus, Aulonocara spp.) • pellets are available in S & M sizes, so that you can adjust proper food to the size of particular fish • natural astaxanthin intensifies coloration • the addition of spirulina regulates digestion processes

CICHLID CARNIVORE

• basic food for medium and large carnivorous cichlids (e.g. Astronotus ocellatus, Copadichromis borleyi, Cyphotilapia afra, Placidochromis electra, Hemichromis bimaculatus) • pellets are available in S & M sizes, so that you can adjust proper food to the size of particular fish • astaxanthin intensifies coloration

TROPICAL D-VITAL PLUS

• vitality-enhancing food with increased content of vitamin E for everyday feeding of discus fry and other demanding species of fish • its ingredients encourage spawning and stimulate production of mucus on which young discus feed • krill and squid make the food exceptionally palatable • L-carnitine stimulates fat metabolism, providing additional energy

TROPICAL D-ALLIO PLUS

• vitality-enhancing food with garlic for all aquarium fish (including many marine fish) • garlic enhances immunity and regulates digestion • high nutritional value, optimally balanced vitamins and trace elements, together with the properties of garlic, make Tropical D-Allio Plus an indispensable food for fish adapting to new conditions or undergoing medical treatment 12 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

TANGANYIKA

• basic food for omnivorous and carnivorous cichlids from Lake Tanganyika (from the genera: Altolamprologus, Julidochromis, Lamprologus, Neolamprologus, Cyprichromis, Paracyprichromis, as well as young Cyphotilapia frontosa) • provides fish with best quality protein, from krill and squid among other sources • due to its excellent taste, it is eagerly eaten by even most fussy fish • spirulina and vitamin C enhance the resistance to diseases MINI WAFERS MIX

• sinking wafers for everyday feeding of omnivorous bottom feeding fish and freshwater and marine crustaceans • red wafers are the source of natural astaxanthin, which intensifies fish’s coloration, and beta-glucan, which increases their resistance to diseases • green wafers contain spirulina and fibre – ingredients which regulate digestion • wafers do not disintegrate in water

Timid or shy bottom feeders can be fed with tablets in a secluded place in the aquarium. After a while they will learn to wait there patiently for their favourite food.

SUPER GOLDFISH MINI STICKS

• sinking sticks for everyday feeding of goldfish with characteristic “lion heads” such as lionhead, , • high content of protein and all essential amino acids encourage the growth of a characteristic “lion head” • carefully balanced formula encourages the development of a splendid and guarantees the best shape of fish’s body in conformity with international standards CARNIVORE

• high-pr otein granules for large and medium bottom feeders, with a high demand for animal protein (e.g. , Potamotrygonidae, snakeheads, cichlids) • lowered content of starch prevents fatty degeneration of internal organs • beta-glucan enhances the immunity system • g ranules do not disintegrate in water, hence do not contaminate it or release any valuable nutrients

13 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

VEGETABLE FOODS

Vegetable foods are the essential component of herbivorous fish’s should constitute at least 30% of omnivorous fish’s diet. Fibre in- diet, including some popular live bearing fish and many species of creases colonic peristalsis, preventing constipation and accumulation cichlids, characins, and Loricariidae catfish. Moreover, vegetable foods of harmful substances, which can cause serious medical disorders.

BIO-VIT

• basic food for herbivorous fish and supplementary food for omnivorous fish • high fibre content guarantees that the very long digestive tract of herbivorous fish functions properly, preventing constipation and digestive disorders • optimally balanced formula with vitamins and trace elements guarantees proper growth and development

If your fish nibble delicate , you can limit this problem by increasing the per- SPIRULINA centage of vegetable foods in their diet.

• vegetable food with spirulina (6%) • regulates metabolism processes and prevents intestinal disorders • natural carotenoids from spirulina enhance coloration, positively affect many physiological processes and protect against free radicals

CICHLID HERBIVORE

• basic food for medium and large cichlids with a high demand for plant material (e.g. Uaru amphiacanthoides, Vieja maculicauda, Vieja bifasciata, Simochromis diagramma, Pseudotropheus demasoni and other Malawi cichlids from the mbuna group) • fibre and spirulina ensure proper functioning of alimentary tract, protecting fish against digestive disorders • available in two sizes: S and M

CICHLID SPIRULINA STICKS

• basic food for medium and large cichlids with a high demand for plant material (e.g. some cichlids from Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika) • fibre and spirulina (3%) encourage digestion, prevent fatty degeneration of internal organs and digestive tract disorders • substances contained in spirulina and vitamin C enhance the resistance to diseases • available in two sizes: medium and large

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SUPER SPIRULINA FORTE

• vegetable food with high (36%) content of spirulina for algae-eating African cichlids and other fish, including marine, with high dietary demand for plant material • high content of spirulina encourages digestion, which is essential in breeding problematic herbivorous cichlids such as Tropheus • active substances of spirulina enhance the immunity system • spirulina is the source of unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), easily assimilable protein, vitamins and trace elements, which ensure excellent condition, growth and vitality of your fish • natural carotenoids ensure beautiful intense coloration • 7 different forms of food allow you to feed fish of different sizes and eating in different places in the aquarium as well as freshwater and marine crustaceans

15 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING MALAWI

• multi-ingredient food with high content of plant material for Malawi cichlids of the mbuna group • rich formula ensures excellent condition and intense coloration of fish and stimulates spawning • fibre and nettle regulate the activity of the long digestive tract of Malawi cichlids • green pea and spirulina are the sources of easily assimilable vegetable proteins • wheat germs provide valuable unsaturated fatty acids • L-carnitine stimulates fat metabolism

If you want flakes to sink more quickly, place a pinch in rather than on the water. 3-ALGAE

• food with algae for everyday feeding of freshwater and marine herbivorous fish, whose diet is based on algae, and omnivorous fish – as a supplementary food • contains three algae: chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris), and Ascophyllum nodosum and Laminaria digitata, referred to as kelp algae • unsaturated fatty acids, protein (rich in essential amino acids) and vitamins from chlorella, together with macronutrients and trace elements from kelp algae (including iodine, chromium, selenium and iron) ensure excellent condition, intensive growth and vitality in fish • high-dose chlorophyll – green pigment coming from chlorella, which is a concentrated source of chlorophyll – inhibits the development of unwanted bacteria in alimentary tract, preventing infections • aloe extract improves immunity and stimulates proper bacterial flora in gastrointestinal tract

16 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

GREEN ALGAE WAFERS

• basic food with spirulina for everyday feeding of Loricariidae fish with high dietary demand for plant material and algae • wafers are perfect supplementary food for omnivorous bottom feeders and freshwater and marine crustaceans

PLECO’S TABLETS

• sinking tablets of the 25 mm diameter for everyday feeding of large Loricariidae such as Hypostomus plecostomus or smaller species of algae-eating fish fromLoricariidae family • high content of spirulina (36%) enhances the immunity system and encourages digestion • the addition of oak wood regulates digestion and ensures excellent overall condition of fish from genera: Panaque, Panaqolus, Peckoltia etc., for which wood is an indispensable dietary component TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

COLOUR-ENHANCING FOODS

Intense colours in fish result from the intake of carotenoids. The properties, these natural carotenoids serve a number of other main sources of these in the fish diet are algae and crustaceans. If essential functions in the fish organism. Tropical uses exclusively fish do not receive carotenoids in their food, not only do they lose natural carotenoids from sources such as spirulina, egg yolk, crus- their intense coloration but also their health and reproduction taceans, etc. capability deteriorate, because as well as their colour-enhancing

OVO-VIT

• strengthening food with egg yolk for omnivorous and carnivorous fish • recommended for egg-layer breeding stock, juvenile and sub-adult fish • high content of easily assimilable protein and lecithin from egg yolk as well as vitamins and trace elements stimulate growth, maturation and spawning • egg yolk is the source of unsaturated fatty acids and lutein, which intensifies coloration • its high nutritional values prove useful for fish which underwent medical treatment and thus need high-energetic and easily assimilable foods GOLDFISH COLOR

• basic food for all kinds of goldfish • high fibre content, derived from grass mixture among other sources, guarantees that the long digestive tract of this group of fish works properly and L-carnitine improves fat metabolism • wheat germs are the source of unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) as well as vitamins and trace elements • high content of natural carotenoids, including astaxanthin and beta-carotene, intensifies coloration

GOLDFISH COLOUR PELLET

• basic floating pellets for all kinds of goldfish • natural immune stimulator – beta-glucan – and stabilised vitamin C enhance immunity • high content of natural carotenoids, including astaxanthin and beta-carotene, intensifies coloration

Colour-enhancing foods enhance all co- lours in fish. Use them regularly and in 2-3 weeks time you’ll notice clear signs of their effectiveness. 18 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

CICHLID COLOR

• basic food with high content of protein for everyday feeding of omnivorous and carnivorous cichlids (including many species of Malawi cichlids) • nettle regulates metabolism and improves the condition of liver and pancreas • beta-glucan enhances the immunity • krill and spirulina, which are the source of natural carotenoids, guarantee splendid coloration VITALITY & COLOR

• high-protein, vitality-enhancing food for omnivorous and carnivorous fish • due to its high content of protein, vitamin E and lecithin, it is recommended for fish at growth or breeding phase • natural carotenoids, from krill, among other sources, intensify colours and positively affect many physiological processes, including breeding • L-carnitine stimulates fat metabolism

D-50 PLUS

• colour-enhancing food with high content (50%) of protein for discus and other fish with high nutritional requirements • high nutritional value makes it a perfect food for egg-layer breeding stock and young fish • krill and squid are the sources of easily assimilable protein and make the food very palatable • high content of astaxanthin ensures intensive and vivid colours • natural immune stimulator – beta-glucan – increases the resistance to diseases

TROPICAL DISCUS GRAN D-50 PLUS

• colour-enhancing granules for all species of discus and other fish with high nutritional requirements • high (50%) content of easily assimilable protein meets the dietary requirements of most demanding species and stimulates proper growth, development and spawning • high content of natural astaxanthin intensifies coloration • natural immune stimulator – beta-glucan – increases the resistance to diseases

CICHLID & AROWANA STICKS

• colour-enhancing sticks for medium and large omnivorous and carnivorous fish (e.g. arowanas and cichlids) • high content of natural astaxanthin intensifies coloration • increased content of easily assimilable protein and optimally balanced vitamins and trace elements encourage growth and excellent condition • stabilised vitamin C and beta-glucan enhance the immunity system • available in two sizes: medium and large 19 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

NATURAL FOODS RED PARROT GRANULAT

• basic food for red parrots and other delicate fish, whose diet requires a considerable amount of natural carotenoids to ensure their beautiful coloration (e.g. discus, swordtails, guppies, goldfish) • food is easily digestible, which prevents digestion disorders FLOWER HORN

• colour-enhancing floating pellets for flower horns and other cichlids • high content of easily assimilable protein and optimally balanced vitamins and trace elements encourage growth and excellent condition • unsaturated fatty acids (Omega-3, Omega-6) encourage growth and development of a nuchal hump, characteristic for flower horns and many other large cichlids from South and Central America • the low content of starch prevents fatty degeneration of internal organs • available in two sizes: young and adult RED MICO COLOUR STICKS

• super colour-enhancing food for carnivorous and omnivorous fish in freshwater, brackish and marine tanks • the sticks resemble bloodworm with their shape and colour • with a properly adjusted filter, the flow of water sets the sticks in motion, imitating the behaviour of live bloodworm, which encourages fish to feed • high content of natural astaxanthin (120 mg/kg) and the addition of red pepper quickly intensify coloration • beta-glucan and stabilised vitamin C contained in the food improve fish’s resistance to diseases

KRILL

• colour-enhancing food with high content (40%) of krill for everyday feeding of omnivorous and carnivorous fish, especially very fussy ones • krill is the source of valuable proteins, amino acids, chitin, unsaturated fatty acids, including Omega-3, and natural carotenoids • high content of carotenoids, including astaxanthin, enhances beautiful, intense coloration

ASTACOLOR

• colour-enhancing food for discus and other fish where enhancement and improvement of coloration is desired • high content of natural carotenoids, including easily assimilable astaxanthin, helps to develop all spectrum of intensive, vivid colours in a very short period of time • natural carotenoids also enhance immunity system and positively affect fish’s overall condition 20 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

NATURAL FOODS

A group of foods of animal origin, whose valuable nutritional char- a product which retains all the nutritional value, palatability, and in acteristics have been maintained via the freeze-drying or drying part also aroma of the raw material. At the same time pathogens process. Freeze-drying – drying at low temperatures – results in dangerous to fish are destroyed during this process.

TUBI CUBI RED MICO FD

• freeze-dried Tubifex worms • freeze-dried Chironomidae larvae • freeze-dried in the form of user-friendly cubes • they are the source of protein, which in form of user-friendly lumps • high content of protein stimulates stimulates growth in young • artemia supplies fish growth and breeding and breeding in adult fish with valuable nutrients • it can be fed dry or soaked • it can be fed dry or soaked • high chitin content regulates digestion before feeding before feeding • natural carotenoids enhance coloration

Dried foods are a separate group of natural foods. Thanks to which helps regulate digestion. Hence they are suitable for most the natural process of drying, popular freshwater crustaceans – species of fish, particularly recommended for carnivorous fish, Daphnia and Gammarus – maintain their nutritional value. Dried whose diet is low in roughage content. crustaceans are the source of natural carotenoids and chitin,

GAMMARUS GAMMARUS & SHRIMPS MIX

• dried Gammarus pulex • dried Gammarus pulex and shrimps enriched • suitable for large aquarium fish, pond fish with vitamins and turtles • suitable for large aquarium fish, pond fish and turtles

DAFNIA

Instead of live foods it’s safer to use freeze- • dried Daphnia pulex -dried foods, which are free of pathogens • tiny freshwater crustaceans dangerous to fish. At the same time there for most aquarium fish is no loss in the nutritional value of the • the source of chitin raw materials from which these foods are • also available in the form of vitamin- manufactured. -enriched Daphnia with beta-carotene

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NANO AQUARIA AND FOODS FOR THE FRY

Small tanks (up to 60 litres), defined as nano aquaria, need extra ally tasty flakes, that can be crumbled to obtain size adjusted to care and their small inhabitants – both fish and crustaceans – particular species of fish. They do not disintegrate in water, hence carefully selected food. Tropical offers interesting and high qual- no nutrients are released and delicate environment of nano ity foods in the form of mini and microgranules and exception- aquarium is protected against harmful substances.

Use the table below and compose the diet for your fish

Food Fish up to 2 cm Fish from 2 to 5 cm Fry Crustaceans

Caridina Nano Sticks +

Crusta Sticks +

3-Algae Flakes + + +

3-Algae Tablets B

Krill Flake + + +

Mikro-vit Basic

Mikro-vit Hi-Protein

Mikro-vit Spirulina

Mikro-vit Vegetable

Mini Wafers Mix +

Tropical Nanovit Granulat

Tropical Nanovit Tablets

Shrimp Sticks

Super Spirulina Forte Micro Granulat

Super Spirulina Forte Mini Granulat

Supervit Tablets B +

Supervit +

Supervit Mini Granulat

Tropical D-Allio Plus

Tropical Discus Gran D-50 Plus Baby

22 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

TROPICAL NANOVIT GRANULAT

• multi-ingredient food with high content of protein, in the form of tiny, sinking granules for small aquarium fish such as ember ( amandae), gold tetra (Hemigrammus rodwayi), mosquito rasbora (Boraras brigittae), Boraras maculatus, (Paracheirodon innesi), Pygmy Cory (Corydoras pygmaeus), as well as for adolescent fry • beta-glucan and stabilised vitamin C enhance the immune system • a few dozen carefully selected ingredients of the best quality, supplemented with optimally balanced vitamins and trace elements meet all dietary requirements of most demanding species of fish, including fry

TROPICAL NANOVIT TABLETS

• colour- and vitality-enhancing food in the form of tiny tablets with high content of natural carotenoids and 14% spirulina share • recommended for small species of omnivorous and carnivorous fish, crustaceans and snails • tablets do not leave excessive organic matter, which facilitates the maintenance of nano aquarium, hence limits algae infestation • fish’s colours are intensified by: natural astaxanthin, beta-carotene and red pepper extract • molluscs and crustaceans, including tasty squid, are the source of exceptionally assimilable protein • natural immune stimulator – beta-glucan – together with active substances of spirulina enhance the immunity system of fish and crustaceans

For feeding small species you can also use microfoods for the fry. From four products, differing in formulas, you can compose a diet adjusted to the needs of specific fish. MIKRO-VIT BASIC

• basic food for the fry with spirulina, krill and squid • the ingredient-rich formula of top quality plant MIKRO-VIT HI-PROTEIN and animal material, together with optimally balanced vitamins and trace elements, stimulates growth and development in small fish and prevents vitamin • high-protein food for the fry with highly nutritional egg yolk and trace element deficiency, which may cause irreparable • meets all the dietary requirements of small fish, stimulating damages their growth and development

MIKRO-VIT VEGETABLE MIKRO-VIT SPIRULINA

• vegetable food with nettle, spinach and spirulina • meticulously crumbled food for the fry • meets high nutritional requirements of young fish, • enriched with spirulina, which is the source of vitamins, e.g. live bearing fish, with a high demand for plant material trace elements and natural carotenoids

23 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

FOODS FOR FRESHWATER AND MARINE CRUSTACEANS

CARIDINA NANO STICKS / CRUSTA STICKS

• basic sinking sticks for everyday feeding of dwarf shrimps and other aquatic crustaceans, including marine ones • if fed regularly, it intensifies coloration and facilitates moulting process • optimally balanced formula ensures excellent health and condition • available as two products, which differ in size of the sticks

SHRIMP STICKS

• sinking sticks with the addition of Ketapang for freshwater and marine crustaceans • spirulina is the source of valuable vitamins and active substances, which together with natural immune stimulator – beta-glucan – and Ketapang enhance shrimps’ immunity system • natural carotenoids keep crustaceans in excellent condition, intensify their coloration and positively affect moulting process

TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

WATER TREATMENT PRODUCTS

TROPICAL AQUA CARE products will help you start and maintain use tap water disinfected with chlorine or its compounds, which your tank. They are the source of trace elements, indispensable are toxic to fish. Such water needs extra care to be safe for tank for fish’s bodily functions, and nutrients for aquatic plants, which population. ensure their lush growth and healthy look. They include products Tropical labels allow for quick recognition of product type. Labels for conditioning and preparing the tap water for aquarium use. with the same colour background belong to the same functional These products prove so useful because most aquarium handlers group.

BLUE GROUP

They are exceptionally effective agents for conditioning and preparing aquarium water, and for correcting and optimizing its parameters: Antychlor, Esklarin, Tropical Bacto-Active, Crusta Guard, Aquacid pH Minus and Aqua-Alkal pH Plus. BROWN GROUP

Water conditioners based on natural extracts intended for preparing black water, characteristic of Amazon’s habitats and a special agent for conditioning water characterized with such parameters. Try Torfin Complex and Querex and our new, innovative products – Ketapang Extract and Blacklarin conditioner. GREEN GROUP This group includes fertilizers with carefully balanced trace elements and macronutrients for fish and aquatic plants. The line includes: Aquaflorin Potassium, Aqua Plant, Ferro-Aktiv, Multimineral, Kobaltosan and Tropical Carbo. ORANGE GROUP* Aquarium care products – exceptionally effective, proven and highly valued by professionals all around the globe – to be used among other applications for disinfecting water: Abioseptyna, Chloramina and Algin. PURPLE GROUP*

General healthcare products for fish, to enjoy the beauty of the aquarium at its best. The kit includes: Tropical Bactosan, Ichtio, CMF and Healthosan.

*Products available on chosen markets. SANITAL PLUS KETAPANG • aquarium salt with Ketapang leaves and oak bark extracts intended for conditioning of aquarium water for blackwater TROPICAL CARBO fish such as discus, angelfish, neon tetra etc., and brackish • Tropical Carbo is a fertilizer, which makes a particularly water fish efficient source of organic carbon for aquatic plants • recommended for new tanks, quarantine periods • regular application of the fertilizer ensures intensive growth and medical treatment in sanitary tanks without of aquatic plants, which helps to achieve biological balance substratum and after changes of considerable amount in the tank and limits the risk of problems with algae or bad of water parameters of water • the addition of vitamin B1 alleviates stress, which is • to achieve best results use Tropical Carbo together particularly important in case of numerous timid fish with relevant fertilization and keep light level adjusted such as characins to the needs of cultivated plants • tannins and humic acids from the extracts of Ketapang • this product may be used in tanks as an exclusive source and oak bark make the environment of the tank safe of carbon or it may be combined with carbon dioxide gas and healthy for the fish

26 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

Filling new tanks and aquarium maintenance with Tropical products

Correction Plant Fighting Water treatment product New tank of water Maintenance Disinfection fertilization algae parameters Antychlor Esklarin with aloe Blacklarin Crusta Guard Tropical Bacto-Active Aquacid pH Minus Aqua-Alkal pH Plus Torfin Complex Querex Ketapang Extract Ketapang Multimineral Kobaltosan Aquaflorin Potassium Aqua Plant Ferro-Aktiv Tropical Carbo Algin Chloramina Abioseptyna Ichtio CMF Healthosan Tropical Bactosan Sanital with aloe Sanital Plus Ketapang

For all information on Tropical water treatment products refer to Aqua Care Guide. 27 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

ACCESSORIES FILTRATION MEDIA AND SPONGE FILTERS AQUARIUM TESTS

TEST pH 6.0-7.8 TEST pH 4.5-9.5 TEST GH/KH • measuring the pH level of fresh water • measuring the pH level of fresh and salt water • titration water test to measure general within the range 6.0-7.8 pH at intervals within the range 4.5-9.5 pH at intervals hardness (GH) and carbonate hardness (KH) of 0.2 pH (200 tests) of 0.5 pH (200 tests) of water in aquaria and ponds • the relevant reagent solution is added to the water drop by drop until the colour changes • one drop of reagent corresponds to one German degree of general hardness (°dGH) or carbonate hardness (°dKH)

TEST NO– TEST NO– 2 - 3 - • measuring the concentration of nitrite (NO2) • measuring the concentration of nitrate (NO3) within the range 0-3.3 mg/l in fresh and salt water within the range 0-100 mg/l in fresh and salt water

Do not change pH of the water unless you can monitor it with a proper aquarium test.

TEST 6 in 1 • strip test intended to measure six chemical parameters simultaneously KEGEL • intended for measuring the concentration of • spawning cone for discus made of plastic material, which makes it safe nitrates, nitrites, general and carbonate hardness, and user-friendly pH level and concentration of total chlorine • provides optimal stability even during most intensive spawning periods in fresh water • its rough surface makes the eggs laid by the discus attach to the cone • in case of emergency quick information about more easily chemical parameters allows for immediate • as the cone is made of plastic, the disinfection, which should action to be taken in order to improve fish’s living be carried out each time we put the cone in the aquarium, is easy conditions

28 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

FILTRATION MEDIA AND SPONGE FILTERS TROPICAL PORO RING COCO CARB • a high quality filter media in the form of porous ceramic rings • high quality activated carbon manufactured from coconut shell with surface area of 600 m2/l, whose shape ensures good • compared to traditional activated carbon the number of micropores is greater water-flow and hence an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients and the effective surface area larger (1 g ≈ 1100 2m ) to the biofilter • exceptional adsorptive properties, useful for cleansing water of the smallest • the porous structure of rings provides an excellent substrate particles that affect colour and smell for colonisation of the nitrifying bacteria • reduces the concentration of many toxic compounds, including numerous medica- tions, pesticides, organochlorine compounds, and fixes the heavy metal ions • helps to create and maintain optimal water quality in freshwater and marine aquaria containing delicate and demanding fish, especially wild-caught specimens, which may not tolerate chemicals typically found in tap water

TROPICAL CARBOLIT SPONGE FILTERS • high quality complex filter medium, which combines activated coconut • sponge filters are a perfect solution for carbon and zeolite in the ratio 1:1 tanks inhabited by delicate species of fish, • activated carbon manufactured from coconut shell is the most efficient of all crustaceans as well as for breeding tanks activated carbons • they ensure large filtration area and effective • effectively removes substances that affect the colour and smell of the water, purification with minimum water movement as well as chlorine and many toxic compounds and ions of some heavy metals • the action of the coconut carbon is supplemented by a natural, porous mineral from the zeolite group, removes + ammonium ions (NH4 ), toxic ions of heavy metals as well as organochlorine compounds • the combination of these two exceptional filter media makes it possible to obtain ideal crystal-clear water • Tropical Carbolit can also be useful in the aquarium following the completion of medical treatment

29 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

SAMPLE DIETS

Community tank I (fish with small mouths + bottom-feeding fish)

Community tank II (fish with larger mouths + bottom-feeding fish)

Goldfish

Discus

Large cichlids

30 TROPICAL – AQUARIST’S GUIDE TO FISH FEEDING

Nano fish and fry

Herbivorous cichlids from Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika

Omnivorous and carnivorous fish from Lakes Malawi and Tanganyika

Bottom-feeding fish

Crustaceans

Marine fish

31 We strongly recommend Tropical Aqua Care products, which – thanks to advance manufacturing technology and proved effectiveness – help with everyday main- tenance of the tank and creating optimal living conditions for the fish.

Read more about Tropical water treatment products in our Aqua Care Guide, at www.tropical.pl and in our mobile service.

The address of your shop:

© – TROPICAL T. Ogrodnik 2015

Information materials 06.2015, code: GB 151/5 – text by Aleksandra Kwaśniak-Płacheta (PhD)