Practical Fishkeeping

FLUVAL BUG BITES

Swimming towards sustainabi­lity

- Fluvalaqua­tics.com

In the ongoing fight against climate change, Fluval continue to be front-runners in the market for sustainabl­e, eco-friendly alternativ­es for fish food. Striving for sustainabl­e solutions

Several years ago, Fluval noticed a gap in the market for a fish food that would challenge outdated and unsustaina­ble production processes, and began to work on a formula that would offer a greener, cleaner fish food to the fish-keeping community.

To undertake this task, Fluval teamed up with forward-thinking organisati­ons devoted to eliminatin­g food waste and nutrient shortage through the creation of renewable food for animals and plants.

The result: Fluval Bug Bites — a brand new line of fish food which boasts Black Soldier Fly larvae as the number one ingredient.

The journey so far

Labelled as ‘the aquatic food of the future’, Fluval Bug Bites first splashed into the fish food market in 2017 with a selection of pellets and granules in species-specific formulas, all of which were received positively by consumers and, perhaps more importantl­y, the fish that ate them! In 2019, due to popular demand, Fluval released Bug Bites in a flake format, available in a variety of formulatio­ns for health, colour and vitality.

Perfecting the process for the planet

Sustainabi­lity is at the heart of

Fluval Bug Bites, and it’s the innovative, eco-friendly production process that sets this high-quality fish food apart from the rest.

The number one ingredient in Bug Bites is Black Soldier Fly larvae which is widely considered as an ‘insect super food’ – a nutrient-rich protein source. Insects are part of a fish’s natural diet and are a great source of Omega 3 and 6, are high in protein, host an excellent amino acid profile and they taste great too!

Insect protein is becoming increasing­ly popular across the world, not just in animal feed but for humans too. The term ‘insect protein powder’ has seen a 49% increase in Google searches since 2014!

Black Soldier Flies only have an average of a 99-day lifespan, and their only task is to reproduce. Fluval’s state-of-the-art facilities allows these wonderful creatures to conduct this goal in a safe, clean and protected environmen­t, ensuring the quality and health of their larvae is as great as possible. Due to not having mouths, the Black Soldier Fly larvae do not carry diseases, making them a very clean and safe source of protein.

The larvae are grown under controlled conditions and are raised on unconsumed, humangrade fruits and vegetables recovered from the human food chain. These fruits and vegetables would otherwise be left to decompose in landfill sites, releasing methane into the atmosphere and contributi­ng to global warming — it is recognised that around 6%-8% of

all human-caused greenhouse

gas emissions are as a direct result of wasted food. Fluval plays its part in a greener future by collecting fruit and veg before it ends up in landfill, and using it to create a high-quality fish food instead.

The larvae consume this food, converting the nutrients into protein and good fats. After a 14-day feeding cycle, the larvae are harvested and dried into a highly nutritious flour, ready for Bug Bites production.

More than meets the eye

Despite Black Soldier Fly larvae being the number one ingredient in

Bug Bites, there’s a lot more that goes on behind the scenes to ensure maximum palatabili­ty and nutritiona­l benefits.

Our team at Fluval source most of the ingredient­s locally and have them delivered immediatel­y before production, resulting in Bug Bites being as fresh, and therefore as palatable, as it possibly can be.

The dried larvae flour is first mixed with high-quality salmon protein and essential amino acids & minerals. Other main ingredient­s you’ll find in Fluval Bug Bites include peas, which are a natural carbohydra­te, fibre and protein source, potato for carbohydra­te and natural binding properties, and wheat which provides better nutrition than wheat flour and wheat gluten.

Once all the ingredient­s are mixed, the formulas are extruded into granules, pellets, stick and flakes, packaged as soon as possible for maximum freshness and are shipped out ready for consumptio­n.

As the ingredient­s are prepared in small batches within Fluval’s own facility, we can ensure that we have complete control and quality assurance.

The outcome of this unique production process is a delicious, healthy recipe that fish simply cannot get enough of!

Why choose Bug Bites?

Being highly palatable and comprised of clean ingredient­s, with no added artificial fillers, colours or preservati­ves, Bug Bites are easily digested, resulting in less waste and therefore a cleaner aquarium.

The benefits of Bug Bites go way beyond being simply a tasty food for your fish. The presence of Omega 3 and 6 contribute­s to heathier skin, fins and scales which promotes vibrant colours, and the powerful mix of vitamins, minerals and nutrients builds a complete and balanced diet that keeps your fish happy and healthy.

Over the last five years since launching in 2017, Bug Bites have become widely recognised as a quality, establishe­d fish food, winning numerous awards including being voted Aquatic Product of the Year by UK aquatic retailers!

NEW: Fluval Bug Bites Holiday Feeder

The Holiday Feeder formula is the latest addition to the Fluval Bug Bites range. With each nugget packed with all the great nutrients you can expect from Bug Bites and lasting up to seven days, the Holiday Feeder formula is a must-have for fish keepers looking to venture away on holiday this summer. All Bug Bites formulas are available at most good aquatic retailers. For more info visit

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