Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula Flakes Review
Quick Overview
In Depth Overview
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Introduction
This Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula Flakes review is written from a hobbyist perspective after personally testing the food.
Yes, this is yet another food in the Bug Bites lineup. How does it stack up to other Fluval foods? How does it stack up to other companies’ foods? Is it any good? This review hopes to cover these questions and more as we look at the various points you may be wondering about with this food.
Do Fish Like the Food?
The short answer is yes. The long answer is yes, but… I found that these flakes are pretty popular with most of my fish; however, once the flakes have been in the water for a few seconds, they seem to lose interest. I believe this is linked to how thin the flakes are, which I will cover in more detail later in the review.
Package Sizing and Pricing
The food comes in four different sizes, according to their website. A .63oz, a 1.58oz, a 3.17oz, and a 2.2lb bucket. However, the reality is you will probably find the 1.58oz or the 3.17oz jar at your local shop. The 3.17oz jar will cost you about $10 currently on Amazon, which isn’t too bad for the cost. The container itself works well enough with nothing to note that is special.
Flake Overview
I would like to talk about this aspect of the food the most because it is where the food loses me. The flakes are incredibly thin—perhaps the thinnest flakes I have seen to date while testing foods. They may be a hair thicker than the Tetra Betta Medley, but that isn’t saying much. The reasons thin flakes bother me are twofold.
One is the fact that the flakes can break down very easily in the container and can create a powder as you work down the jar. This isn’t uncommon for some flake foods, but it is more pronounced with the thinner flakes. If you have larger community fish you are looking to feed, this may be a concern.
The second main issue I have with the thin flakes is waste in the water. Perhaps the biggest downside to flake foods is that they lose their nutrients in the water quicker than other foods. I believe that because these are thinner, this happens even quicker. My non-professional opinion is that the flakes lose some flavor and smell in the water as well, which is why my fish lose interest.
Ingredient Quality
I appreciate most of the Bug Bite line of food ingredients, and this is no exception. The food uses black soldier fly larvae and herring meal as its primary protein sources, along with fish protein concentrate and salmon meal. They also include the standard binders and vitamins to help round out the food.
Where to Buy Fluval Bug Bites Tropical Formula Flakes
Fluval Bug Bites Tropical flake foods are widely available at most mainstream pet shops and online. I was able to buy mine from my local Petco for a good price.
My Final Thoughts
Overall, the food isn’t really all that bad. My only real gripe with the food is how thin the flakes are. However, I also believe there are better options out there. Some of my current favorites are Xtreme Krill Flakes and Aqueon Tropical Flakes. Xtreme is more expensive, and Aqueon is a little cheaper.
Thanks for reading!
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