Best Cichlid Sticks For Fish 2024 (Reviews and Comparison)

Cichlids can grow to be rather large depending on the species of cichlid you have in your tank. Large cichlids should eat floating fish sticks rather than traditional cichlid dry flakes or pellets as they are the right nutritional value for them.

Not only are the fish sticks the perfect nutritional balance for large cichlids, but they also do not crumble or pollute the water in any way and stay afloat on the water’s surface. The sticks keep their shape and do not soften and crumble easily.

This review takes an in-depth look at the 5 top cichlid fish sticks on the market. Each of them has been broken down into what we like and don’t like about the product, and we have identified their pros and cons.

Comparison Table

PRODUCT	FEATURES	LATEST PRICE
1. TetraCichlid Floating Cichlid Sticks	Great value for money Does not crumble Keep fish healthy	Check Price
2. Tetra JumboMin Large Sticks	Balanced nutritional value Leave the water clear Don’t crumble Live food alternative	Check Price
3. Hikari USA Jumbo Carnisticks	High-quality food Live food alternative High protein content	Check Price
4. Aquatic Food Mix Bit/Sticks	No smell Protein-rich Large and small bits	Check Price
5. Omega One Freeze-Dried Blood Worms Freshwater & Marine Fish Treat	Bloodworms are freeze-dried High protein content Low ash	Check Price

Our Best Cichlid Sticks For Fish Reviews and Comparisons

1. TetraCichlid Floating Cichlid Sticks

Product Highlights

Ideal for medium to large top-feeding cichlids. The formula is designed to make your fish more resistant to disease and should be fed to them three times daily.

Features

• Specially formulated for cichlids
• Suited for top and mid-water cichlids
• Daily feedings
• Provide optimal health and color
• Will not cloud water
• Contains biotin

What We Like About Tetracichlid Floating Cichlid Sticks

The tub of food is very big, in fact, it is twice the size of the tin you would find in your local pet store. They also really do keep the water clear and clean compared with some manufacturers that add a lot of red coloring that can tint the water orange and is a nightmare to clean.

What We Don’t Like About Tetracichlid Floating Cichlid Sticks

Depending on the cichlid species you have, your fish may not like the taste of it very much. They don’t always stay afloat on the water’s surface, which is very inconvenient and requires frequent cleaning otherwise the food will rot.

2. Tetra JumboMin Large Sticks

Product Highlights

Tetra JumboMin large fish sticks are specific for large and aggressive fish, not only cichlids. These sticks are best suited to dominant cichlid species with a bit of an attitude.

Features

• Large sticks
• Live food alternative
• High in protein
• Pro care formula
• Supports fish immune system
• Will not cloud water

What We Like About Tetra JumboMin Large Sticks

A great live food alternative for top feeders, some cichlids will chew the sticks up and spit them out, but that is just a part of their eating habits. If this occurs you can be confident that the fish are consuming some of the sticks. Large fish feel satisfied after eating the Jumbomin sticks.

What We Don’t Like About Tetra JumboMin Large Sticks

Fish that are larger than cichlids do not appreciate these sticks as a live food alternative. If the fish don’t eat it within 10 minutes, the sticks start to sink in the water.

3. Hikari USA Jumbo Carnisticks

Product Highlights

Specially formulated to enhance the fish’ color and vibrancy. Ideal for carnivorous fish.

Features

• Ideal for large top feeders, monster, and carnivorous fish
• A scientific diet for larger Awowana
• Protein-rich
• Floating sticks

What We Like About Hikari USA Jumbo Carnisticks

It can be fed to all the fish in a large cichlid tank as it is high in protein and even fussy eaters will be attracted to this food. The food is man-made but very high quality and carnivores cannot tell the difference.

What We Don’t Like About Hikari USA Jumbo Carnisticks

They are very large, so if your cichlids aren’t mature enough for the size of the food, they will struggle to eat it. If you don’t provide the fish with the right quantity, they could start fighting in the tank over the food so you must be observant during feeding time.

4. Aquatic Food Mix Bit/Sticks

Product Highlights

A 50/50 mix of Beefheart and blackworm fish sticks.

Features

• Available in 5 sizes
• Irregular size
• Irregular size
• Sinking food

What We Like About Aquatic Food Mix Bit/Sticks

The fish sticks don’t leave a foul smell in the tank or around the food bag and the sticks stay fresh for a long time once opened. Central and South American cichlids love it and don’t mind that it sinks in the water.

What We Don’t Like About Aquatic Food Mix Bit/Sticks

Unfortunately, the sticks do cloud the water quite a bit. They also sink into the water almost immediately, so any fish that are top feeders only will be extremely unsatisfied after feeding times.

5. Omega One Freeze-Dried Blood Worms Freshwater & Marine Fish Treat

Product Highlights

Beefheart fish stick mix for cichlids, catfish, angels, discus, and guppies.

Features

• Mini sticks
• High in protein
• Packed with flavor
• Dense and meaty
• Contains vitamin supplements

What We Like About Omega One Freeze-Dried Blood Worms Freshwater & Marine Fish Treat

Omega One Freeze-dried Blood Worms Freshwater & Marine Fish Treat contains genuine bloodworms, not mosquito larvae, which means its color-enhancing ability is superb.

What We Don’t Like About Omega One Freeze-Dried Blood Worms Freshwater & Marine Fish Treat

The main problem with this product is that the sticks cloud the water and can be a real pain to clean. The food decays very fast if any is left over at the bottom of the tank.

Final Verdict

We like the Tetracichlid Floating Cichlid Sticks as they are the perfect size for medium and large cichlids. They make the least mess in the tank, which is not only good for the fish but brilliant for us fish keepers too.