{"product_id":"hikari-cichlid-gold-pellet-250g","title":"Hikari Cichlid Gold Pellet-250g","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA colour-enhancing, high-protein pellet built for cichlids and other larger tropical fish.\u003c\/strong\u003e Hikari Cichlid Gold is a daily diet from Hikari of Japan, sold in four pellet sizes — Baby, Mini, Medium and Large — so one range covers everything from newly-settled juveniles through to full-grown Oscars and large South American cichlids. The pellet floats at first and holds its shape well past that, giving mid-water and surface feeders time to take it before it breaks down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo formulations across four sizes\u003c\/strong\u003e — Baby pellets run a fish-meal-led recipe at 32% minimum protein for growing fish; Mini, Medium and Large step up to a 40% minimum protein formula once fish are established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColour support from astaxanthin\u003c\/strong\u003e — a natural carotenoid included in every pellet size to support red and orange pigment development, backed by spirulina in the Mini, Medium and Large formula.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHolds its shape in the water\u003c\/strong\u003e — floats initially and resists breaking apart, so less feed is lost to the filter before fish reach it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStabilised vitamin C\u003c\/strong\u003e — L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate is used instead of plain vitamin C, so it survives normal storage rather than degrading before the pack is finished.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGarlic included in every size\u003c\/strong\u003e — added as a natural feeding stimulant for fussier eaters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhich pellet size do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll four sizes share the same Cichlid Gold formula family, but the protein level and ingredient list step up once pellets move past Baby. Match the size to the fish, not the tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eApprox. pellet diameter\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBest suited to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBaby\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.7–2.0 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFry and newly-settled juvenile cichlids\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMini\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3.2–3.7 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall to medium adult cichlids\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedium\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.8–5.3 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedium to large cichlids, including Oscars\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7.2–8.2 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge cichlids and other big tropical fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGuaranteed analysis\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBaby\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMini \/ Medium \/ Large\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrude protein\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emin. 32.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emin. 40.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrude fat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emin. 4.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emin. 4.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCrude fibre\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emax. 3.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emax. 4.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoisture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emax. 10.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emax. 10.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAsh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emax. 12.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emax. 15.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhosphorus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emin. 0.7%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003emin. 1.0%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePack weight 250 g for every size. Country of manufacture is not stated by Hikari on the product specification page checked for this listing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIngredients\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTranscribed verbatim from Hikari's published specification, in the manufacturer's own order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaby pellets:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fish meal, flaked corn, wheat flour, rice bran, soybean meal, corn gluten meal, shrimp meal, brewers dried yeast, DL-methionine, garlic, phaffia dried yeast, astaxanthin, grape seed extract, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (stabilised vitamin C), inositol, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, niacin, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, vitamin B12 supplement, disodium phosphate, salt, ferrous sulphate, magnesium sulphate, zinc sulphate, manganese sulphate, copper sulphate, calcium iodate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMini, Medium and Large pellets:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fish meal, wheat flour, flaked corn, brewers dried yeast, corn gluten meal, wheat starch, rice bran, spirulina, garlic, DL-methionine, astaxanthin, choline chloride, vitamin E supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (stabilised vitamin C), inositol, d-calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, vitamin A supplement, thiamine mononitrate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, niacin, folic acid, vitamin D3 supplement, biotin, disodium phosphate, ferrous sulphate, magnesium sulphate, zinc sulphate, manganese sulphate, copper sulphate, calcium iodate, red 3, yellow 5 (artificial colours).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Mini, Medium and Large formula carries two artificial colours, red 3 and yellow 5; the Baby formula's ingredient declaration lists none. No allergen statement is published by Hikari; the declaration itself names fish meal, shrimp meal, soybean meal and wheat as ingredients worth noting for anyone managing a specific sensitivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e all common cichlid species, Oscars and other large, semi-aggressive tropical fish able to take a pellet of the matching size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot suitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e nano and small community fish that cannot manage even the Baby pellet, and tanks where a sinking-only diet is required — Hikari sells a separate Sinking Cichlid Gold for that purpose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFeeding directions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFeed two to three times daily, offering only the amount fish will completely consume within a few minutes. Avoid over-feeding and remove any uneaten pellets after the feeding period to protect water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eStorage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReseal the pack tightly after each use and store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. This protects the stabilised vitamin C and reduces spoilage risk over the life of the pack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA fine aquarium net makes short work of retrieving any uneaten pellets, and a basic freshwater test kit is worth keeping on hand to check ammonia after a feeding increase. Cichlid keepers stepping fish up in size often run Cichlid Staple alongside Cichlid Gold as a more economical everyday base, reserving Gold for colour-conditioning days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShipped as an ambient dry good with no cold-chain or special handling requirement. Covered by the consumer guarantees available under Australian Consumer Law in addition to any manufacturer undertaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Hikari Cichlid Gold float or sink?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt floats initially and holds its shape well, giving mid-water and surface-feeding cichlids time to take it before it breaks down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is the difference between Cichlid Gold and Cichlid Staple?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCichlid Gold runs a higher minimum protein level (40% in Mini\/Medium\/Large versus 35% in Staple) and adds astaxanthin and spirulina for colour support, making it the pick for conditioning and colour-up rather than everyday feeding alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhich size should I start a juvenile cichlid on?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBaby, at 1.7–2.0 mm, is sized for fry and newly-settled juveniles. Step up to Mini once fish are comfortably taking that pellet whole.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCan I feed Cichlid Gold to fish other than cichlids?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — it suits other large, semi-aggressive tropical fish able to manage the pellet size, though it is formulated with cichlids specifically in mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy does the Mini\/Medium\/Large formula list artificial colours but Baby does not?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two formulas use different recipes; red 3 and yellow 5 appear only in the ingredient declaration for Mini, Medium and Large pellets.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hikari","offers":[{"title":"Baby","offer_id":55242264805667,"sku":"AA2686","price":35.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mini","offer_id":55335326843171,"sku":"AA2500","price":33.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":55335326875939,"sku":"AA2501","price":33.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Large","offer_id":55335326908707,"sku":"AA2502","price":33.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/13994353ae3986970b83cfbd05f6fa24310c7283_74bcfee9-5cb7-45fd-b7ed-de6f412e2fbb.jpg?v=1782710968","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/hikari-cichlid-gold-pellet-250g","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}