Let's Feed Freshwater Shots!

Let's do shots! Whoa, whoa, slow down there tiger and put the tequila away. We're talking about Nutramar Shots. This product is probably the most useful innovation in aquarium keeping we've seen in the last 20 years. Sure, we've seen a lot of technological change, filtration keeps getting better and lighting keeps getting brighter and more efficient but the genius of the shot, is that it takes into account the fish's natural feeding behavior and triggers and utilizes them to get fish eating prepared foods in the home environment. What's more important than that?

So, what exactly is a shot? To start with, it isn't vodka dosing (which is a whole other kettle of fish). What Nutramar did was realize that a lot of the aquarium fish that are notoriously difficult to feed are grazers. They don't like to take food floating on the surface, or even through the water column, because that's not what usually triggers them to eat! So instead, Nutramar formulated a food that could be stuck to the glass, or rocks, or any other hard surface which allowed these fish to swim around and find food in the way that they normally would. Guess what happened? It turns out a lot of other fish liked it too! Check out this video of some Clownfish in our aquaculture facility (QM Labs) enjoying the shots as well! It's a perfect way to slowly deliver food to a larger group of fish, resulting in less waste and better nutrition!

There are four different formulas of shots, spanning both freshwater and saltwater. Both salt and fresh have an Algae and Color Boost Formula, meant for fish that require more algae and greenery in their diet and a Complete Formula, meant for all fish, but more specifically steered toward fish that are dominantly carnivorous. They're all available as 60-gram meals. All the varieties are cold extruded for maximum retention of nutritional value! They're formulated with attractants, so fish and inverts quickly recognize them as food and are all super digestible. All the shots utilize protein-based binders to hold them together long enough for all your aquatic critters to eat them, while still ensuring that everything they consume is nutritious.

The Algae and Color Boost shots have added color enhancers and a specially formulated mix of red and green algae. They contain a large percentage of Spirulina that intensifies coloration, boosts immune response and supports healthy digestion. They're perfect for fish like Tangs, Butterflies and Angels. They're also super useful in feeding your herbivore invertebrates like Urchins Sea Stars and Crabs. The Freshwater variety is an absolutely perfect food for a variety of bottom feeding fish like Corys and Plecos.

The Complete Formula can be used as a supplemental diet for the Algae and Color Boost shots, or it can be used to target fish and inverts that are more carnivorous in nature. It's great for tricky Butterflies, and really shines as a food for community fish like Anthias, Chromis, Clowns and most Wrasses love it! It's a perfect food to distract your Peppermint Shrimp and other notorious food thieves while you feed your LPS corals!

The Marine Complete shots contain mussel, krill, prawn, fish, crustaceans, some aquatic yeast, spirulina and vitamins A, D3, E and C. Freshwater Complete contains oligochaeta, fish, crustaceans, spirulina and appropriate levels of the same vitamin profile. The Algae and Color Boost Shots are balanced for Freshwater or Saltwater and are comprised of the same ingredients, but in ratios that favor the algal and spirulina content. For a full list of ingredients of all the different varieties, check the packaging.

All the shots are incredibly easy to feed. They do not need to be refrigerated but should be stored out of direct sunlight. Just grab a shot out of the packaging with a DRY hand (getting water in the package will start the breakdown process of the binder proteins), and stick it to the glass, rocks, or anywhere else smooth and hard. They will not stick well to substrate or plants. Our favorite application spot is on the primary viewing side of the aquarium glass, so we get the best view of our fish eating! As an important disclosure, none of these foods contains nuts, but they are made in a factory that handles nuts for those of you with severe nut allergies. Keep out of the reach of children, the shots are food grade but not intended for human consumption or our digestive systems. 

If you're looking for a different food for your aquarium, or in need of a specific food for grazer or bottom feeder, try the Nutramar Shots. These are a super high-quality food, with the perfect blend of nutritional value, mineral / protein content and ease of use especially when target feeding your grazing fish! Ask your LFS about Nutramar Shots today!