Peterlock 21 Posted March 12, 2012 (edited) When I joined Koko's in 2010 one of the first posts I recall writing had to do with the Hikari Fancy Goldfish Color Enhancing fish food. It's touted as their most advanced formula, but I was concerned that the formula included MSG (monosodium glutamate) A soy based product known to cause migraines and a myriad of other problems. MSG is a flavor enhancer, what it does is basically fool the brain into perceiving that certain foods taste better than they actually would without the addition of MSG. In fact abundant research concludes it makes otherwise unpalatable food highly palatable. There are plenty of examples of Asian restaurants, foods and countless products who boldly exclaim - No MSG! I had written to Hikari - twice, asking why MSG was included in this particular formula, I've never received a response. I've been researching commercial dog food for many years, and have making my own dog food for equally as long. With 90% of commercial dog food, being little more than garbage, not to mention a health hazard - I've learned to assess the labels, do research and draw conclusions. Ok once again I digress. Anyway, as most of you know when reading any pet food list of ingredients, the first three are the most critical. So I recently did a comparison between the Hikari and the Aqueon slow sinking color enhancing granules. Here's the ingredient list for Hikari: Fish Meal, Wheat Germ Meal, Wheat Flour, Brewer's Dried Yeast, Starch, Dried Bakery Product, Soy Bean Meal, Gluten Meal, Fish Oil, Spirulina, Vegetable Oil, Astaxanthin, Dried Seaweed Meal, Dried A. niger Fermentation Extract, Monosodium Glutamate, Dl-methionine, Garlic, Dried B. subtilis Fermentation Product, Rice Bran, Choline Chloride, Vitamin E Supplement, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (Stabilized Vitamin C), Inositol, Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Oil, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (Source of Vitamin K), Folic Acid, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Biotin, Disodium Phosphate, Ferrous Sulfate, Magnesium Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Manganese Sulfate, Cobalt Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, and Calcium Iodate. Here's the ingredient list for Aqueon : Whole Fish Meal (whole salmon, herring and other mixed fishes), Soybean Meal, Whole Wheat Flour, Corn Gluten Meal, Dried Yeast, Fish Oil, Kelp Meal, Garlic, Spirulina, Dicalcium Phosphate, Natural Astaxanthin, Choline Chloride, Calcium Propionate (a preservative), L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C), Vitamin A Acetate, Cholecalciferol (source of Vitamin D3), Riboflavin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulphite Complex (source of Vitamin K activity), Folic Acid, Thiamine, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (B6), Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, DL-Alphatocopherol (E), Manganese Sulfate, Cobalt Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, and Copper Sulfate Key Points * Hiraki doesn't identify which fish the meal is made from. This means they change sources frequently and may be using diseased, rancid fish. Be very wary regardless of any pet food that uses vague terms like "animal digest" "ocean fish" or "Meat" if it's not specific - it's a problem *Aqeon identifies the fish they use - a major sign of quality in any pet food. * There's very little "filler" in Aqeon in comparison to the Hikari formula. Another sign of good nutrition and quality. Cost * The Hikari retails for $17.00 for 7 ounces * The Aqeon retails for $2.99 for 3 ounces - a dramatically better formula and by far much less expensive As a side note, no commercial food for our goldies can replace a varied diet including fresh veggies, fruits such as bits of orange, quality gel foods, bits of defrosted raw shrimp and so on. Commercial fish food, like dog food should be used as a supplement only to a varied diet. BTW, if anyone has questions about making your own dog food, want's my recipe or a dog chow recommendation please feel free to message me. Edited March 12, 2012 by PeterD 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akari_32 18 Posted March 12, 2012 In recent years, Hikari changed their formula to be cheaper and way less healthy, and raised the price, while advertising that it was their best formula yet. I now use Omega One and New Life Spectrum. My fish love it (except one of my Goldfish, who would rather eat Aqueon. Weird little thing -_-), and I have seen a dramatic improvement in color and over all health. Side note: A few people in my family, as well as my self, are allergic to MSGs. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted March 12, 2012 Peter, thank you for the review! Due to the issue of floatiness in two of my fish, I've tested all sorts of pellet foods under the sun, and during the process, I've found the Goldfish Connection's Pro-Gold is an excellent food that promoted astounding growth. If you haven't tried it, I would encourage you to do so, just to see. Of course, GC is worse than everyone else in not listing their ingredients! Lastly, of course I want your dog food recipes! 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cathface 161 Posted March 12, 2012 this was a real eye-opener, Peter! unfortunately Hikari is the best of a lot of a crap we get here in the UK, in terms of commercial foods. Omega One, Aqueon and Pro Gold are out of our reach, and what little NLS there is, it's very expensive. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akari_32 18 Posted March 12, 2012 this was a real eye-opener, Peter! unfortunately Hikari is the best of a lot of a crap we get here in the UK, in terms of commercial foods. Omega One, Aqueon and Pro Gold are out of our reach, and what little NLS there is, it's very expensive. Wow, that sucks! You could always make your own! Gelatin and veggies and such Lots of people do this. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dnalex 13,633 Posted March 12, 2012 You could always make your own! Gelatin and veggies and such Lots of people do this. Noooooo. Don't use gelatin. Agar agar is much better. Check out my link on agar in the sig for more info and for recipes. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akari_32 18 Posted March 12, 2012 You could always make your own! Gelatin and veggies and such Lots of people do this. Noooooo. Don't use gelatin. Agar agar is much better. Check out my link on agar in the sig for more info and for recipes. I know what I mean!! XD I knew gelatin wasn't the right word, but that was the closest I came up with LOL 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cathface 161 Posted March 12, 2012 I have made my own batch of gel food once so far (it's lasting me ages) but it didn't go too great, wasn't really solid enough haha. once I finish this batch, I'm gonna try again of course! especially because both my goldfish and my betta can enjoy it, and they all absolutely love it. I only supplement with the Hikari pellets, and I also add the pellets into the actual gel food too, so they don't go to waste. 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Akari_32 18 Posted March 12, 2012 I have made my own batch of gel food once so far (it's lasting me ages) but it didn't go too great, wasn't really solid enough haha. once I finish this batch, I'm gonna try again of course! especially because both my goldfish and my betta can enjoy it, and they all absolutely love it. I only supplement with the Hikari pellets, and I also add the pellets into the actual gel food too, so they don't go to waste. Thats the spirit! Sounds like you need either less water or more of the... jello stuff... LOL 0 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites