Best Astaxanthin-Rich Foods for Freshwater Fishs

Ranked by astaxanthin content among foods safe for freshwater fishs in the Creature Feast catalog.

Brine shrimp per 100g freeze-dried: ~8mg astaxanthin Brine shrimp are one of the best natural astaxanthin sources for freshwater fish. Astaxanthin is the most powerful carotenoid antioxidant known and is directly responsible for the vivid red and pink coloration in crustaceans and the fish that eat them. Regular brine shrimp feeding dramatically enhances red coloration in species like cardinal tetras, cherry barbs, and red bettas.

Mysis shrimp per 100g frozen: ~6mg astaxanthin Mysis shrimp provide substantial astaxanthin from their crustacean pigmentation. The astaxanthin in mysis is in the esterified form that fish absorb and deposit directly into their skin, making mysis an excellent color-enhancing food for red, orange, and pink fish varieties.

Daphnia per 100g freeze-dried: ~3mg astaxanthin Daphnia contain astaxanthin from the algae they consume, passing this powerful antioxidant up the food chain to your fish. While the concentration is lower than in larger crustaceans, daphnia are ideal for small fish species that cannot eat brine or mysis shrimp.