Southern Delight fish food

I have been able to acquire the ingredients of their food.  Soon I will be trying this out.  

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Interesting. I'm very interested to try it as well as soon as it gets here.

I would LOVE to carry a made in the USA and organic fish food in my store in addition to Gigi's Wonderfood for shrimp.

Anyone that is interested in purchasing some of this food is welcome to contact me. My fish love it!!

mrmann wrote:Anyone that is interested in purchasing some of this food is welcome to contact me. My fish love it!!

Dude this is your first post here, introduce yourself before offering to sell us stuff!  

Sounds like a good product, very interested in trying it myself.

I was unaware of the protocol...sorry. I have now introduced myself.

Just messing with you!   Glad to have you on board,  

if I were up north, and if you did carry it, cory, id pick up a couple bottles..

I want to try the high protein growth stuff on the bichirs and the color for the cichlids.

Gonna be honest man.
I read "Southern Delight" And though "HO DAMN SHRUMP PO BOY"

Then I saw this

Anyone have any thoughts on this stuff yet?

My fish are loving it and they are looking good. But then again my fish looked good already. I really like it. I have gotten to know one of the reps really well, I am going to see if he can send me some food to sell at the swap.

Whats the prices?

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Are gonna sell at the swap with these prices. Im down for some bulk orders

not sure if I will be able to but I will check into it

Those are very good prices.... I might want to get a couple pounds of the Large Cichlid pellets at that price.

Very solid product Southern Delight has put out! Glad to be sponsored SD foods through Aquatic Support Systems for my YouTube channel. Going to be doing a review on the SD foods I have been using soon and pointing out my favorites and why also.

Anyone who wants to order the food you can email Mike and Conway from Aquatic Support Systems (aquasuppsys@gmail.com) using the same price list posted by madness. The packaging on SD foods is awesome and well put together but best bang for the buck is obviously in bulk packages.

Here's a link to my YouTube channel where I share a bit of my hobby and insights with everyone as well as feeding SD to my fish in a few videos lol.
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I am in the process of becoming a local sponsor of Southern Delight Foods. As of now I should have a bunch of samples to hand out at the swap meet. Along with a list price, and contact info.

Any questions please feel free to ask.

Hope to have a sample to test out for my africans.  Hint hint. Thanks if you can. Cause I gonna be late cause of work.

ohh samples! My ram is super picky it would be nice to try a sample before I buy.

Took some samples.. Someone.. Took like twenty in one go at the swap meet...taking all the krill and veggies I wanted to try!!!


My snails like it. Shrimp are ok with some of the sinkers. Fishes like it too!'

BillHN wrote:Took some samples.. Someone.. Took like twenty in one go at the swap meet...taking all the krill and veggies I wanted to try!!!


My snails like it. Shrimp are ok with some of the sinkers. Fishes like it too!'

Glad they like it.

KaraWolf wrote:I was rather tempted to take one of each but I don't have fish that would need/want most of them lol need to...try the ones I did grab but I don't want to find it all over the floor >> lol

Why do you say all over the floor? Your fish will love it.

I would also like to announce that (thanks to the requests of you African keepers) while I was speaking with the distributors last night, they were also in communication with the makers of Southern Delight, and I am proud to say that they heard your request and will start to develop a complete veggie only pellet.   

I would also like to announce that we have had a new member join our family, his name is Conway (ConStevens AquaSupSys) and he along with Mike (mrmann also joined up about a month ago) are the largest distributors of Southern Delight here in the United States. So if any of you wish to purchase this fine product, you can either contact myself or either Mike or Conway.

Not only do they bring to us a great outlet to acquire this product they also bring years of knowledge. Not to mention they are both BIG CICHLID keepers.   Mike has several years of experience in keeping cichlids and has great insight to anything aquarium related, not to mention after the first of the year Southern Delight will have a new blend available, designed by Mike, for us large Cichlid keepers. Conway brings years of experience and tons of knowledge on filtration, water conditions and he is a guru when it comes to these dreadful aquarium diseases.

I believe that both of these gentleman will be great assets to our family. I have asked Conway to swing in and introduce himself and say hi.

If you have any questions please feel free to ask away and when Conway chimes in he will be happy to answer them.

Madness wrote:
I would also like to announce that (thanks to the requests of you African keepers) while I was speaking with the distributors last night, they were also in communication with the makers of Southern Delight, and I am proud to say that they heard your request and will start to develop a complete veggie only pellet.    

That's awesome that they respond to what customers want. 

I have found it a challenge to find a good veggie based pellet. They gear these for small African cichlids or other small community fish. I would like to see a good 6-7mm floating veggie based pellet for large fish like my Pearsei and Red Hooks. Right now they get a mix that includes 7.5mm NLS and medium Hikari Cichlid Excel.

@Madness, they have to introduce themselves and show off tanks or it doesn't count lol.
It's hard to welcome someone in a 3rd party thread, ha!

He will.

Hello to you all. Thank you Shawn for the kind words and announcement.we greatly appreciate your support. I'd like to say thank you to everyone here for having Mike and myself. were very glad many of you.I hope were able to try the samples. if there is anything I can do to assist please let me know as I'm more then glad to do so. as shawn has mentioned. fish disease and conditions is a specialty and I'm always glad to help. hit me up anytime. if you have any questions on the food. again please give mike or I a shout. we do work very very closely with yhe manufacture of the food and in doing so we are able to help with product development. its our goal to provide the best of service and help. Mike and myself are long time hobbyists and know we like it When our hobby is easier and less work to enjoy so our goal is that for you.

pics of fish and tanks eh? I think we can do that. lol

again thank you to all of you here for having us. thank you Forrest for your post as well.

.oOWelcome!

I am currently reconsidering fish foods. I am currently using Hikari(they are like the 2nd oldest fish food company I can think of.. have to hope they know what they are doing right?) I am hearing alot of good things about New Life SPectrum and of course madness talking up this Southern Delight product. My question is what is the ash content? All the products say "low Ash" but dont give an amount or percentage. Could you provide me with percentage so I can compare with my other options? I appreciate your time and consideration on the matter.

Thank you for the welcome Fish in a bowl.

Chiisai. I can certainly answer your question.

the ash content maximum is 8% and as low as 6.5% the food is also phosphate sparing to not increase phosphate levels. its also a one of a kind in its trademark natural binders that give the food long stability in the water. Along with very high quality probiotics that help with immune system as well as dietary nutritional up take. making less waste in the tank. it also enhances the stomach flora so the waste the is created is more healthy and less contamination to the water in your tank. protein sources are not cheap meals but whole fish products. using such quality sources is a big reason why the ash count is so low.

hope that helps answer any questions you have. if you have any others feel free to ask were glad to assist.

Wow, really.... the fact that this stuff is getting any credibility is insane to me.
First ingredient of all of these foods is " blah blah product". The other day, when I was asking animals what they eat, they all said marine and veggie protein product. Seriously?? Then a short list of what exactly may or may not be included in this batch of food??? At what percentages?
I see the "products" made number 1 on the list, so how much of which are in this, or is that variable? So, basically the first (MOST IMPORTANT, AND HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF WHAT THE FOOD IS MADE OF) ingredient, is actually several ingredients,  all bunched together so they make up the majority?

CORN!!!! FREAKING CORN!!! Americas cash crop, the ultimate low nutrition filler. And, if we have corn, whats the need for wheat, yeast, and soybeans? Are these more fillers? Or are we going to call them bonding agents? We need 1 bonding agent for each one of our ingredients listed in the "products" section, the first ingredient, right? If no, then why so many?

The last point I want to make is POULTRY... oh man, I remember back when I was in biology, and the teacher taught all about the fish that chase chickens to really round off their diet. The arguments against using land animals in fish foods has been extensively covered in other places. And are in fact so common knowledge, that I feel it unnecessary to further comment on this. It's beating a dead horse, maybe to toss said horse into our fish food?

I wouldn't feed this to my dog, simply based on the way the first ingredient is so specific about what that 1 first ingredient is. But, as I'm sure anyone can see, if this first major flaw was addressed, or fixed.  It would be 1 of many steps needed to be made to create a food for hobbyists,  by hobbyists.

No offense to the makers of this food, I am sure you're good guys, and have a real love for this hobby. But the information of what should and should not be included in fish food has been gone over time and time again. It appears very little of this info was applied in the creating of this food. We are supposed to be moving forward in this hobby, this looks like some pretty big steps in the opposite direction.

I would like to see a study done on what fish are supposed to eat Anthony. Who is supplying this advanced information as to what should be in fish food...NLS? Hikari? I also do not recall ever seeing a fish food label that shows percentages of every single ingredient in the food. The poultry aspect of the food is only the quill of the feathers which you being a biology student would know contains vital nutrients that would help in the growth and stability of finnage and scales. It would have been nicer for you to ask about it instead of ranting about it to be honest. I have been keeping fish for going on 30 years and have not found a better food to feed my fish to date. In all honesty you cannot go on a rant that consists of pretty much knocking the food to the best of your ability and then end with a "No Offense" line...it does not excuse your tact.

mrmann wrote:I also do not recall ever seeing a fish food label that shows percentages of every single ingredient in the food.

With many foods there is even a debate as to what the real main ingredient is since some of the listed items are by 'wet' weight. It really would not be surprising to know that many of these would be a grain product and not a fish meal like the label would make you think.

I can only vouch for what I know and the percentages in southern delight are not off of a 'wet' weight.

I'm not worried about my tact, and by biology,  I was talking about high school, I have no degree. What I do have is common sense and experience.  I have been in this hobby for 21 years, I have seen fish, who have been fed almost exclusively feeder goldfish their whole life who retain excellent coloration, vigor and longevity. And as horrible as it is to feed goldfish due to the lack of nutrients and possibility of disease, the goldfish is a more natural diet then corn, soy, wheat, yeast or "poultry". As the goldfish is at minimum made up of, and/or eating aquatic life. Which btw, way to dodge the bullet on addressing all those fillers .

That being said, I never said I had seen percentages on other ingredient lists, or claimed to have done or read research on "what fish are and are not supposed to eat". But, with very little common sense,  things like land animals (however misleadingly labeled) and corn soy etc, wouldn't fall onto the dinner menu of aquatic life. If that doesn't make sense, I cannot help.
As far as percentages, I'm not looking for numbers, I'm looking for single ingredients,  placed in an order from most used to least used as per the industry standard.  Not a hodge podge of ingrients clumped together so the claim can be made that the top listed ingredients are in fact the highest quantities of what is present in the food. :example: If each of those lets say 5 ingrients are only 5% each, and all the other ingredients make up the remainder of the food, I want to know that corn doesn't come in at 14%, but because we added the top 5 together, making them 25%, the corn is lower on the list. Again, if I need to further explain this, then I cannot help.

Finally,  no offense means simply that I am not trying to offend you or any of your constituents.  If, however you do take offense,  I apologize as that is not my intention.  My intention is to simply point out the inarguable flaws with at minimum the labeling, and upon further inspection, the ingredients them selves,  not to mention those chosen to represent the food. If calling out a potential customers tact on a public forum board in a simple discussion about the quality of the product is how this company is to be represented, I hate to see what happens when an actual customer calls because they had the wrong product shipped unintentionally.

"Wow, really.... the fact that this stuff is getting any credibility is insane to me."


I couldn't agree more. 

 

"The poultry aspect of the food is only the quill of the feathers which you being a biology student would know contains vital nutrients that would help in the growth and stability of finnage and scales."

Out of the tens of thousands of ornamental species of fish that are kept in captivity, I can't think of a single one that in its natural wild state gleans nutrients from the quill of a feather.  Perhaps you can explain exactly what vital nutrients are found in the quill of a feather, Mike, that cannot be found, or are missing,  in aquatic based ingredients?   Raw ingredients such as fish, krill, shrimp, kelp, spirulina, etc.  Please enlighten us.  

Perhaps you can also explain to the members here about all of the vital nutrients found in corn, and soybeans, that are not present in those same aquatic based ingredients?  Is lower cost terrestrial based plant matter such as corn, and soybeans, somehow considered to be "better" for an aquatic animal such as a fish, in the same way that poultry protein product (feather meal) is? 

Does anyone here actually need someone wearing a white lab coat to explain to them that these types of lower cost raw ingredients are not optimum suppliers of nutrients for fish?  If so, I'm guessing that you also feed Wardley products to your fish. 


Just like Anthony, I also found the manner in which the ingredients are listed in this food, to be misleading, and a turn off. I didn't like it when others have listed their raw ingredients in this manner, and I don't like it anymore in this product line. And Mike, that has nothing to do with a company listing the exact percentage, but in keeping with pet food label regulations set forth by AAFCO, where they state: Ingredients must be listed in order of predominance by weight, on an "as formulated basis".   Not bunched together in (brackets) as though wheat, brewers yeast, corn, and soybeans make up a single ingredient.  

To be honest the only thing that offends me in this discussion, is the fact that the only people that are supporting its quality and use, are those who are in a position to gain from it.  Personally I wouldn't feed this food to my fish if you gave me a lifetime supply for FREE, anymore than I would feed Kibbles & Bits to my dogs.

RD. wrote:"Wow, really.... the fact that this stuff is getting any credibility is insane to me."

"The poultry aspect of the food is only the quill of the feathers which you being a biology student would know contains vital nutrients that would help in the growth and stability of finnage and scales."

Out of the tens of thousands of ornamental species of fish that are kept in captivity, I can't think of a single one that in its natural wild state gleans nutrients from the quill of a feather.  Perhaps you can explain exactly what vital nutrients are found in the quill of a feather, Mike, that cannot be found, or are missing,  in aquatic based ingredients?   Raw ingredients such as fish, krill, shrimp, kelp, spirulina, etc.  Please enlighten us.  

Perhaps you can also explain to the members here about all of the vital nutrients found in corn, and soybeans, that are not present in those same aquatic based ingredients?  Is lower cost terrestrial based plant matter such as corn, and soybeans, somehow considered to be "better" for an aquatic animal such as a fish, in the same way that poultry protein product (feather meal) is? 

Just like Anthony, I also found the manner in which the ingredients are listed in this food, to be misleading, and a turn off. I didn't like it when others have listed their raw ingredients in this manner, and I don't like it anymore in this product line. And Mike, that has nothing to do with a company listing the exact percentage, but in keeping with pet food label regulations set forth by AAFCO, where they state: Ingredients must be listed in order of predominance by weight, on an "as formulated basis".   Not bunched together in (brackets) as though wheat, brewers yeast, corn, and soybeans make up a single ingredient.  

To be honest the only thing that offends me in this discussion, is the fact that the only people that are supporting its quality and use, are those who are in a position to gain from it.  Personally I wouldn't feed this food to my fish if you gave me a lifetime supply for FREE, anymore than I would feed Kibbles & Bits to my dogs.

On the note of the quill thing... Pike have been known to eat ducks... just thought I would throw that out there. Although I suspect that is not a common occurance. I think alot of valid points were brought up, maybe just some were worded a bit hastiliy. I started inquiring about this food after Madness mentioned he didnt like Hikari for the ash content. Upon some investigation earlier in the thread I found the content for Southern Delight to be about on par with Hikari. ON that same note I would like to add I am under the impression you are required by law to post ash content in fish foods on the label, something to consider.

 I have discussed food with many of the folks on this forum, some of you at length and here are some OPINIONS I have developed. Corn/Soy/Rice/ect are fillers yes, but also act as binding agents. I am told Algae and seaweed don't make sufficient binding agents to hold a flake or pellet together(though I question this logic as seaweed sheets sold at markets tells me otherwise). So I can see a single grain being used as a binding agent but would hope it is not dominant ingredient. Personally I would love to see a fish food with no grains, unnatural ingredients, and better descriptions then "Fish Meal" which by law could mean any part of any kind of fish ground up. Fish meal for instance could be the fins of fish, the heads, or other undesirable parts. It could be from Lionfish(Toxin), puffers(Toxin), or my personal favorite... white fish! I guess I am just disappointed that the dog/cat industry is able to mass produce better quality kibble(Evo, Origin, ect) then fish keeping industry which would seem to me to be more likely to cater quality food.

 This food has gained traction because Madness recommends it. As I understand he has been in the hobby for many years, so if he vouches for it then so be it. Its a member forum, and Madness's opinion is good enough for a forum discussion. Its not any better or worse then Hikari or New Life Spectrum so I would put it in the upper tear of fish foods(as opposed to say... Tetra).

To the reps... I personally would appreciate it if you provided a more accurate list of ingredients. I think word of mouth is one of the most powerful ways to market a product. So making the best impression to a forum long time hobbyists would seem to make sense. Myself personally I will be sticking with Hikari as they are vetted though time, and not only do the make food.. the breed/sell award winning fish with the food they manufacture. I WILL be doing more research into NLS as a possible better pellet, unless I can be swayed otherwise.

Pike have been known to eat muskrats too, does that mean we should add rat hair as a source of protein to a fish food?    

I can probably save a whole lot of typing by just posting a link to this past discussion, which included my personal view of this product line.

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As far as ash content, by law, it is not required to be listed on fish food labels.

Well said Neil, it's nice to see that I'm not the only one who sees the many faults in this line. I feel a little disappointed when I see some pretty knowledgeable people endorsing this food. Especially when I know they have participated in these discussions before. And have seen the information presented in a logical and factual manner. The way to research the quality of a fish food has been paved, the information of what constitutes a quality food has been spelled out, time and time again.

For me, I have nothing to gain, no vested intrest. I spend between $200-400 on fish food a year. It is in my best interest to do my best to research, and find the best food for my many fish. I am not sponsored to endorse anything. All I have done is read, and observed my fish. I am not promoting any products, simply saying this product, for now, is just another second rate product and needs some serious modifications before myself, or many others will take it serious.

On a side note... some info for everyone from the FDA(Who control labeling of ingredients.)
BTW Most of these foods contain Copper Proteinate so make sure no shrimp in the tank.

§ 453. Definitions.
(e) The term ''poultry'' means any domesticated bird, whether live or dead.(yes a duck found dead on the road would meet criteria)
(f) The term ''poultry product'' means any poultry carcass, or part thereof; or any product which is made wholly or in part from any poultry carcass or part thereof, excepting products which contain poultry ingredients only in a relatively small proportion or historically have not been considered by consumers as products of the poultry food industry, and which are exempted by the Secretary from definition as a poultry product under such conditions as the Secretary may prescribe to assure that the poultry ingredients in such products are not adulterated and that such products are not represented as poultry products.

The term “lean” may be used to describe an individual food as packaged when it contains less than 10 grams of fat, 4.5 grams or less of saturated fat, and less than 95 milligrams of cholesterol per reference amount and per 100 grams. For a main dish or meal to qualify as “lean,” it must meet
these specified levels for fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol per 100 grams and per labeled serving.
(Less then 10 grams of fat max in a fish food? Thats not tough)

RD. wrote:Pike have been known to eat muskrats too, does that mean we should add rat hair as a source of protein to a fish food?    

Thats not what I was implying. If you read the whole comment I said "Pike have been known to eat ducks... just thought I would throw that out there. Although I suspect that is not a common occurance"

To Anthony, I agree about not being terribly impressed. You recommended NLS so I will look into it as well.

I have been feeding NLS for years and have no complaints.  I've tried plenty of other food samples and have yet to find one that I like as much as NLS. I did pick up a sample of the Southern Delight food at the swap and I'm going to give it a try soon.

My recommendation for nls in person, is out of the scope of this discussion. I do however strongly disagree with you on hikari, or this southern stuff to be even close to on par with nls.

When it all boils down though, the info has been presented, the methods in which to research and judge or gauge the quality of food is available. One only needs to hit the books, and sponge up this information. After the research,  and the trial and error is all said and done. The top overall food is easily decided.

That's not to say, some manufacturers don't kick out something of excellent quality from time to time. For instance, hikari discus bio gold. I am not a fan of hikari, at all, but anyone who has done the research and realized that which makes a quality food. Can flip the package over, and make a very good educated analysis as to what is to be expected. And that discus food, is freaking great.

Then, to those who have tried several foods, and seen the good and the bad, are able to tell by looking at The pellet, its density, its absorption rate, and how it affects the fish it is being fed to.

As far as me being rude, or sharp tongued or however it is to be said. I am very straight forward, there's no need for me to beat around the bush, or sugar coat. If something is bs, I will call it as such. If someone takes offense to that,  it further reiterates my point, that it is bs. Because, you could yell in my face that what I feed my fish is garbage, and you will get no negative response. I don't need to defend what I feed, it defends itself.

Betty wrote:I have been feeding NLS for years and have no complaints.  I've tried plenty of other food samples and have yet to find one that I like as much as NLS. I did pick up a sample of the Southern Delight food at the swap and I'm going to give it a try soon.

You know Betty, you have to be my favorite fishboxer. And, that's not because of what you feed. Always straight to the point "here is my opinion" and that's it. I Always smile when I see you have posted. Kinda of random in the middle of this conversation, but, just thought I would share. Let us know if you see any positive or negative impact with this please.

NLS huh? Are all of you aware that NLS uses a banned pesticide as an ingredient? It is called Ethoxquin, this chemical is banned in half the country.

As for the info you request, it is being looked into.

A statement like that requires proof or documentation, care to back it up

You will be hard pressed to find such documentation, as it simply doesn't exist. But, here, let me provide a little information,  hopefully, this'll make things more clear.

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