Spirulina as a Fish Food

[Oscar77]

What is Spirulina?


Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae found in most lakes and ponds. It has been consumed for thousands of years by Mexican (Aztecs, Mayans), African, and Asian peoples. Spirulina is considered a complete protein because well over half of it consists of amino acids -- the building blocks of protein. It is also a rich source of other nutrients including B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, carotenoids, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid). In fact, at least one laboratory study has demonstrated that the iron level in spirulina is equivalent to that contained in beef. Because of its apparent ability to stimulate the immune system, spirulina may have antiviral and anticancer effects. Test tube and animal studies suggest that spirulina may also help protect against harmful allergic reactions. More research is needed to fully understand how spirulina truly benefits people.

Immune Enhancement
Animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina increases production of antibodies, cytokines (infection fighting proteins), and other cells that improve immunity and help ward off infection and chronic illnesses such as cancer.

Protein Supplement
Amino acids make up 62% of spirulina. Because it is a rich source of protein and other nutrients, spirulina has been used traditionally as a nutritional supplement by people who cannot obtain sufficient calories or protein through diet alone and by those whose nutritional requirements are higher than normal, such as athletes.

Anemia
Animal studies suggest that spirulina promotes hematopoiesis (formation and development of red blood cells). This is thought to be due to the high levels of iron present in this food supplement.

Allergic Reactions
Animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina may protect against allergic reactions by preventing the release of histamines (substances that contribute to allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, hives, and soft-tissue swelling). Whether these preliminary studies will translate into benefit for people with allergies is not known.

Antibiotic-related Illnesses
Although antibiotics destroy unwanted organisms in the body, they may also kill "good" bacteria called probiotics (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus) which sometimes results in diarrhea. In test tubes, spirulina has promoted the growth of L. acidophilus and other probiotics. Whether this positive laboratory finding will translate into protection from antibiotic-related diarrhea is not clear at this time.

Infection
Test tube studies suggest that spirulina has activity against herpes, influenza, cytomeglovirus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Whether this laboratory finding will prove beneficial for people in treating these infections is not clear.


Extracted from : http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/Spirulinacs.html

[Oscar77]

Spirulina Nutritional Composition : http://www.spirulina.com/SPBNutrition.html

[Oscar77]

Here found something interesting to share.

A lot has been written about Spirulina as a food source for humans, but it seems it would also be a great food for animals, especially fish.

Preliminary studies indicated that channel catfish fed spirulina had an increase in the number of splenic macrophages determined by esterase staining compared to controls. Not only were more macrophages present in the spleen, but also the macrophages appeared activated. Activation determined by morphology on scanning electron microscopy, was characterized by the presence of numerous folds and ruffles. This research was performed on a single population of catfish over a period of months. While data suggests nonspecific immuno-stimulation elicited by spirulina in the diet, further study on different populations of fish is underway to confirm the preliminary data.

More recently, there has been new interest concerning the therapeutic effects of Spirulina as a "probiotic" or booster for the immune response system in animals and fish. Probiotic means "that which promotes life". The probiotics will help to prevent the infection from occurring in the first place. Recent studies have found that Spirulina algae functions as a probiotic, allowing the fishes own immune system to function at a higher level of activity. The idea of using probiotics for disease control is receiving greater attention lately due to ineffectiveness of the available antibiotics, and the publics growing interest over the use of probiotics or holistic type medications.

To be continue ...

[Oscar77]

Continue ...

Benefits to using Spirulina Algae as a fish food comes from the increased and more uniform growth rates when fed at the recommended .5-2.0% inclusion rate. Spirulina improves the intestinal flora in fish by the breakdown of otherwise indigestible feed components, thereby extracting more nutrition from the feed. The same beneficial flora or bacteria produce vitamins and displace harmful which is why fish fed Spirulina have less intestinal compaction, a slimmer abdomen, and are more resistant to infection. Spirulina stimulates the production on enzymes that transport fats within the fish s body. The fish utilized the fat to power growth instead of just storing it and becoming flabby.

The 5 ppt carotenoid pigments that are concentrated in Spirulina algae improve and intensify the coloration in fish. This is especially important for koi and goldfish for commanding a higher price in the marketplace. Chlorophyll and phycocyanin also enhance the skin colors.

Studies in Japan on marine yellowtail showed that fingerlings fed a ration of 0.5% (5 ppt) spirulina resulted in a significant gain in survival over the non-Spirulina fed group. Similar results were obtained from professional Discus fish breeders whom incorporate Spirulina powder into the diet for newborn Discus fry.

Fish farmers have found that including Spirulina in the diet reduced the amount of medication or therapeutics that are normally required to treat sick fish. Spirulina also reduced toxicity of medications and may itself have anti-viral properties. Most disease treatments on the market are "water baths" in which the fish must absorb the drug from the aquarium water. Unfortunately, the treatment water is often discharged down the drain into our environment and waterways. Orally feeding your fish a diet containing Spirulina could effectively reduce or eliminate the need for bath treatments. Using Spirulina algae as a "prophylactic" treatment in place of antibiotics can effectively reduce wastewater pollutants, eliminating costly treatment systems and increases the effectiveness of existing systems.

Spirulinas cell wall is rich in muco-proteins that enhance the natural mucus layer of the fishes skin. This results in a shiny appearance, healthier fins are less app to tear, and improved resistance to skin infections. Spirulinas soft cell wall enables it to be easily digested.



Many fish, especially African Cichlids and Gold Fish, eat a lot of blue green algae and the wild. Blue green algae like Spirulina have a special protein called Phycocyanin not not found in another algae or terrestrial plants. Japanese scientists have linked Phycocyanin to improved kidney and liver function. The effects of Phycocyanin are the reasons that Japanese fish farmers make extensive use of Spirulina.

Their experience is that the fish grow less obese and have improved survival rates, superior growth and appearance over those not fed Spirulina. This, of course, means higher selling prices for them.
Spirulina and other micro-algae contain essential fatty acids that are essential for proper development and functioning of the internal organs. Without the proper fatty acids, many saltwater fish will not breed or survive.


Colorations in fish depend to a large degree upon the pigments that they get from their food. The most important pigments are of a class called carotenoids. These include beta-carotene and xanthophylls. Spirulina is the natural food highest in carotenoid pigments, some 20 times the amount found in carrots. Spirulina contains at least six forms of this pigment providing a "rainbow" of color possibilities. When feeding your fish a food containing Spirulina, you will see better colorations within a few weeks.

Spirulina flakes are available from several manufacturers and are a vitamin-rich, vegetable supplement for live bearers and plant eating tropical and marine fish. An excellent supplement for Goldfish too! Just be careful - too much Spirulina can be harmful.

Extracted from : http://spirulinablog.blogspot.com/2005/07/spirulina-as-fish-food.html

[nim75sg]

I am feeding this to my fishes too ... ;)

[Aquarian]

expensive stuff, but during the Aquarama, they do sell in large can at quite reasonable price

[Theo9902]

I used those that can stick to the tank wall.......

I am feeding this to my fishes too ... ;)

[Aquarian]

did not knw u also use this expensive stuff

I used those that can stick to the tank wall.......

[Theo9902]

u see me no up is it? :D

did not knw u also use this expensive stuff

[Aquarian]

no lah, i see myself no up niah :o

u see me no up is it? :D

[Oscar77]

expensive stuff, but during the Aquarama, they do sell in large can at quite reasonable price

Not that expensive lar, cause you will mix with food. Can get a tin and share among friends/kakis.

[Theo9902]

I stopped sometimes ago...... cos now only left with a few cheapo BP. No need to use such a good stuff for them :D

[nim75sg]

I stopped sometimes ago...... cos now only left with a few cheapo BP. No need to use such a good stuff for them :D

Time to get new fishes lar .. :)

[Theo9902]

don't know what to restart again :(

Time to get new fishes lar .. :)

[bai]

don't know what to restart again :(

Anything that u find is nice for ur Tank lor.......:p

[Theo9902]

ya, might go down to do some window shopping soon. btw, have u gotten your dream dog? :)

Anything that u find is nice for ur Tank lor.......:p

[bai]

ya, might go down to do some window shopping soon. btw, have u gotten your dream dog? :)

not yet leh........still waiting for it.......have clear some of my discus liao.........this public holiday going to clear some tanks for space need it for my dream dog.....:p :p :p

If u need Spirulina just let me know cos i still have alot.....:)

[亮魔兽]

not yet leh........still waiting for it.......have clear some of my discus liao.........this public holiday going to clear some tanks for space need it for my dream dog.....:p :p :p

If u need Spirulina just let me know cos i still have alot.....:)

Ever think add spirulina in the dog food since they are so rich?

[edwardlong]

not yet leh........still waiting for it.......have clear some of my discus liao.........this public holiday going to clear some tanks for space need it for my dream dog.....:p :p :p

Poor dog...going to live in a fish tank :mad:

:eek:

[Aquarian]

I understand spirulina comes in different grades and prices, it that true, anyone can shed some light into this?

[edwardlong]

I think its more like who is growing the spirulina and how its being processed. For human grade, the health stores are charging really high prices for a bottle. For my fishes...i use the ones that are sold at King's Aquafeed...450gm at $40. So far so good.

:D