In general, how expensive is it to make gel food a main diet for your goldfish vs high quality pellets like Omega one?

well it is cheap enough I was able to manage it.... it lasts for AGES thats why it is cost efficient.
1 batch and I haven't even dented it in 2 months lol
I guess it depends what you put in it and how much you use but for me I think it is actually the same price as flakes or pellets in the end. Due to how long it lasts.

Yeah, good point there - it might be the same price wise. What I personally like about the gel food is, that you can add different things to it that benefit the fish, compared to just feed him flakes, or 2 different kinds of food.
I do different batches at times - higher protein for fry or breeding fish, more veggie matters for constipated fish, some tasty bloodworms in it for finicky eaters, and so for.
The only disadvantage compared to prepackaged food - your kitchen looks like a bomb fell in it after you are done cooking! Or maybe thats just me and my way of cooking!

It is my opinion that it is not expensive at all to make gel food. At least in my case. I have all the necessary ingredients (and then some) in my pantry to begin with. And yep - it does last a loong time.

I use the gel food as the main staple in their diet, and supplement with the Omega One pellets along w/ brine shrimp and blood worms.

I find that I can use many things from my own home garden for the gel food - dandelion greens and various herbs, as well as fresh spinach and lettuces and beans. This makes if even more fun to garden - I grow extra for my fishes!

My kitchen always looks like a bomb went off in it, Andrea! That is part of the charm. Any bloodworms, tuna or shrimp that miss the blender are quickly taken care of by the cats. My hubby loves to nibble the greens and I have tons of fun doing it!



Much better than opening a can every day.

Lol I really wish I could make the gel food! It sounds fun. I'm a bad cook..hopefully when I do try it I won't mess it up. However, my parents won't let me buy any fish foods that were once alive that are not freeze dried, so I gotta wait. But Daryl, I'm going to seed some dandylions for goldfish very soon! I remember you telling me that goldies like them and they were very hardy. I'm getting goldfish soon, so as soon as I can buy some dirt (dirt around here is like wet or dry clay...not good for plants) I'm going to start! I've already got tons of pots and seeds

you can still make food without the live stuff in it Then use the freeze dried stuff as a treat

The frozen Hikari bloodworms that Andrea told me about seem to be just fine. I also use canned human grade tuna, or shrimp - the kind I eat for dinner. I just take one small one and chop it all up.

The most important ingredient in the gel food, I think, however, is the fresh greens. It is a source of food like no other and the goldies go crazy for it.

You cannot go too wrong just using veggies and fruits.

I'll have to try that then!

ahhh you dont have to be a good cook to make gel food..just own a blender or food processor
or a mortal and pestle and elbow grease

Its alot of fun too!
Raid your fridge and freezer for vegies you eat and the pantry
you can supliment with some flakes and bloodworms, anything you got aswell.Also some fruit if you have it.


you only need a very little of each
so its very cheap to make and it lasts ages!!!

I did it with what I had to feed us, all I bought was a can of tuna and some baby food with fruits...cost me under $1.00
The rest I had at home

It was fun to make and my fish LOVE it they go crasy for it and I can even hand feed them with it

My first batch has lasted ages.....I still have heaps frozen so its very very cheap.

Check out the pinned thread for some recipies..there is bound to be one that will work for you
and let us know if you make some!
best luck!

mortal and pestle and elbow grease <--- man that would take A LOT MORE than elbow grease
entire body grease , plus a few friends bodies and maybe!

My blender has a hard time with it.... I need a new blender lol

I only use my blender to make fish food!! My aunt got us a brand new $100+ blender for our bridal shower gift and all I've used it for so far is to make fish food!! My aunt would have a fit if she ever found out!

LOL!! Probably best to keep that one a secret

I'll check out the pinned topic as well.

LMAO!

gee my kids use my blender to make smoothies, my daugeter uses it for onion and garlic and chilli i when she makes pasta sauce, I use it for EVERYTHING!!
best thing sinse sliced bread

however after the chilli.. I got to make sure its real clean to make gel food, dont wanna burn my goldies lips!

Yip I don't think it matters what we use them for , I mean food is food. The blender washes out.

If you put somit really gross NON food in it, then there may be a problem with people knowing though