Chad Fontaine's Beefheart Recipe

The mix I use for my Discus is as follows. It is a culmination of many and can be adjusted as seen fit, although the preparation method listed, in great length, is the best I've found for any variation.

1/2 Beef Heart (raw)

12 Prawns (uncooked w/shells) (can be substituted for raw shrimp w/shells)

Spinach (approxamate liquified quantity as prawns)

Split Peas (simmered until tender, same quantity as spinach)

4 tbsp. Oat Bran (cooked smooth)

4 tbsp. Wheat Germ (raw)

2 tbsp. Gelatin powder (I use 2 packets of "Knox unflavored gelatine")

First thoroughly clean any evidence of fat, gristle or sinew from the beef heart and chop into suitable size chunks to fit into your blender, probably 1" square pieces. These are now frozen in order that the blender may do a better job of cutting rather then tearing or liquifing. Once frozen place the beef heart chunks into the blender and grind until the heart is fine but still chunky. Avoid liquifying as it will be more apt to foul the water when fed. This can now be set aside in the refrigerator.

The next step are the liquified ingredients. The prawns/shrimp should be thrown in the blender raw, shells and all. These are liquified as much as possible, I've found that adding a little water is sometimes needed. Strain the paste to take out any remaining large particles, usually chunks of shell that the fish wont eat anyways. I read once that large particles or heavy sinews could strange small fishes, not worth taking the chance anyways.

The green ingredients will be next. I don't yet include the peas in my own mix but they are high in vitamins and protein which is good for fish requiring a higher green content, a good idea either way. The split peas should be simmered until tender and then liquified. The spinach should be thouroughly washed and also liquified, this might take the addition of a little water that can be poured out later. If need be the greens can be strained to remove chunks and strands.

The oat bran should be cooked a little, just until smooth. When done scoop the oat bran into a large bowl along with the raw wheat germ, the bowl needs to be big enough for all the ingredients. Now mix in the beef heart and the prawns/shrimp. The finished mix should appear as a very heavy soupy substance the consistancy of freshly cooked oatmeal but not runny. This is why the greens should now be added last. You can add them until the mix reaches the right consistancy or what I do is just add more wheat germ to thicken it up if it ends up too watery.

This stinky, bloody mixture beside you will now be cooked so it can coagulate, otherwise it would immediately foul the aquarium. This is best done using a double boiler, a large pot set on the stove filled 1/2 or so with water floating a smaller pot containing the the ingredients. This is best as it avoids any possible burning of the mix which is not good for the fish. The final ingredient, the gelatin, can be added once the mix is hot and has gone brown. Put it in a cold mix and it will set in your pot like a big blob of stinky beef jello. The mix should be cooked until it starts to appear grainy and tends to separate a little when stirred. Keep in mind the mix is better left too wet than too dry because the gelatin will do a better job of holding a wet mix together. Too dry and the gel effect will be reduced.

Once cooked the mix is spread out approximately 1/4 inch thick on a cookie sheet and left to cool. When cool, cut into squares that will slide into zip-loc bags. These can now be bagged and placed into the freezer. When feeding cut off a piece suitable for that one feeding and place the rest back into the freezer as soon as possible, as food that is repeatedly thawed and frozen will be turned down or make the fish ill. Using a sharp knife you can shave slivers off the frozen portion directly into the tank. The food will warm up almost imediately upon contact with the water. The result is quite suffecient as your fish will pick it apart readily. What I personally do that leaves as little uneaten food as possible to go bad in the tank is to chop the still frozen mix into (fish)bite size pieces with a sharp knife and then feed it as fast as they can eat it. It is swallowed rather then bit off larger pieces and what does get by, bottom feeders will make short work of.

Medications and vitamins can be added to a specially prepared mix or what seems easiest is to let it soak into or paint onto the "bite size pieces" and then refrozen until feeding time. The later method seems best as it is much easier to regulate the concentration of the vitamins or medication keeping to the manufacturers directions avoiding under or overdosing.

Good Luck, Enjoy and Happy Fishkeeping!!!...........

Chad Fontaine,
Canada, B.C.
fontaine@oberon.ark.com