Pellet Size

[small_ranchu]

Hi All,
Is the size of pellet important for adult fish? Currently I am switching Hikari Wheat-Germ sinking type for Koi from Hikari Lionhead. Wheat Germ has less protein content and I am using it for winter. But the size of pellet is bigger than lionhead though. Is it a good change?
Thank you.

[Cincy Ranchu]

My experience suggest the pellets inddors must be less that 2.0mm and sinking!

[johnatoranchu]

Hi Fred
I agree with Gary best to use small sinking pellet, at least for all twin tailed varieties. One of the first things I noticed from my trips to Japan was how small their pellets were, the same size being used for fish from 3cms size through to adult.
John

[Cincy Ranchu]

I understand that Hikari now has a sinking wheat germ pellet

[small_ranchu]

But sinking wheat germ is not for goldfish, right?

[suphi]

The new Saki Hikari Goldfish is pretty good, very small in size <2 mm and easy on the digestive system. I don't think it's widely available in the US right now, but certain importers here do sell them. In general, I really like it (have the color-enhancing version) but it did mess up the color pattern on one of my fish (caused color-bleed/blotching)--although that fish is yellow-white, no red pattern. I still have 2 more bags left, but next time I'm gonna go with the regular version--more than good enough for me.

[King_oF_Ranchu]

Saki-Color need to feed at minimum or mix with other kind of pellet. It's work for me.

[Fishguy2727]

Sorry I'm late.

All mine get NLS's Large Fish Formula. It is 3.0mm and sinking. Even the smallest goldfish have no problems. It is the only thing I feed, so even the danios, guppies, platies, etc. eat it. They pick at as it soaks. This keeps them busy and keeps aggressive eaters from hogging all the food.

[judge]

Hey Fred,

He he he... I normally don't worry about the pallet size. As long as its not hard, unreasonably big and is appetizing to the fish they will eat them and they will get chewed and they will be swallowed.... :)

Goldfish chew like Cows...Not exactly but similar....

You know, for green peas I feed them whole after peeling the skin off of course. I want them to chew so they have stronger teeth and Jaws...

May be someday my goldfish will be the stars of the Jaws.... :)

My conclusion is size doesn't matter... :D

Cheers

[bigbettadan]

Size is important........ Of course Fred already knows this after a year of growing out ranchu......LOL

Dan

[small_ranchu]

After researching, I believe small pellet is the best.

[suphi]

Small pellet fan here also. It's better for fish with SBD (doesn't cause over-expansion in the belly 10 min later). For healthy fish, size probably doesn't matter much. I do notice that most of the premium ranchu pellets from Japan are tiny in size so there's gotta be something beneficial with smaller size, especially if you feed 6 times a day like Fred.

[Cincy Ranchu]

Indoors , small pelletc are more important because there is less natural food and roughage. Avoid floating goldfish and air gulping inddors, outside it is much different in my opinion, I also do flake intermittantly!:exact:

[Guenther]

I use a pepper grinder to get small pellets

[BruceP]

I use a pepper grinder to get small pellets

So do I. I have filter intakes at the bottom of most of our tanks and I find that if I use too small of pellets they go to the filter before the fish can get them so in that regard I use a little larger pellet. I also don't have to vacumm the bottom of the tank. :)