Spirulina. Who uses, and how??

[Psychobunny]

Just got a wild idea and ordered some of this stuff.
Every one says it smells and tastes like fish poop, but is great to add to your
gutload.
Do any of you guyz use it and can offer any suggestions?

 

[Chameleons09]

I use it in my fly gutload.

 

[Psychobunny]

I use it in my fly gutload.

Okay, I will try that, and thanks for reminding me, I'm out of BB flies

Next stop, Grubco.com

 

[Ferrah88]

I just sprinkle it on fresh fruits and veggies for my crickets I also put it in some water and drink it. My husband found out the hard way that you should never take spirulina powder and put a spoonful in your mouth, trying to swallow it (My father and I told him not to do it, but what do you know, he did it anyways.)

Basically, if you have the powder, you can sprinkle it onto almost anything

 

[Trace]

Spirulina is part of the gutload I make. (Three cheers for SandraChameleons' gutload recipes!) but once a week I also dust the feeders solely in the powdered Spirulina.

Spirulina turns the insects an irresistible green colour which can get a picky eater chameleon or new wild caught specimen to accept an otherwise unrecognized insect.

 

[Psychobunny]

Spirulina is part of the gutload I make. (Three cheers for SandraChameleons' gutload recipes!) but once a week I also dust the feeders solely in the powdered Spirulina.

Spirulina turns the insects an irresistible green colour which can get a picky eater chameleon or new wild caught specimen to accept an otherwise unrecognized insect.

LOL! great idea, I will remember this one

 

[stalincat]

pardon my ignorance, what is spirulina exactly for? I mean I know it's some kind of food supplement, but what does it do to chameleons?

 

[Cainschams]

Spirulina is part of the gutload I make. (Three cheers for SandraChameleons' gutload recipes!) but once a week I also dust the feeders solely in the powdered Spirulina.

Spirulina turns the insects an irresistible green colour which can get a picky eater chameleon or new wild caught specimen to accept an otherwise unrecognized insect.

This is what I do. Ill dust all the BB flies with it just because they dont gutload vvery well. I also dust with wheat grass powder.

 

[DavidBuchan]

I have used all of the above methods on occasions....green silkworms for Rinty sometimes makes him hungrier, but not often ........

I also make Bug Burger. I add a bit of bee pollen, I add a bit of Spirulina.

Now it is what I call 'Sweet Green Bug Burger'
TM


This is copied and pasted from what tkilgour (site sponsor) has posted elsewhere:

Sure. For example, marigold or pot marigold (calendula). The active compounds found in marigold have the quality of stimulating blood circulation and speeding up the healing periods. Marigold flowers contain a bitter compound. They have healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and soothing effects. They provide a huge source of flavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin C, proteins , among others. The contained bio-flavonoids reduce the fragility of the capillary blood vessels as well.

Spirulina is another example. Spirulina is the richest beta carotene food, with a full spectrum of mixed carotenoids. About half are orange carotenes: alpha, beta and gamma and half are yellow xanthophylls. They work synergistically at different sites in our body to enhance antioxidant protection. Twenty years of research proves eating beta carotene rich fruits and vegetables gives us real anti-cancer protection. Synthetic beta carotene has not always shown these benefits. Research in Israel showed natural beta carotene from algae was far more effective. As suspected, natural carotenoids in algae and vegetables have the most antioxidant and anti-cancer power. Look at marine fish. They are some of the most colorful animals on the planet and many of them consume spirulina and other algae. spirulina's concentrated nutrient value, it is easily digested and loaded with antioxidants. Beta carotene is good for healthy eyes, skin and vision.

Spirulina beta carotene is ten times more concentrated than carrots.

Iron is essential to build a strong system, yet is the most common mineral deficiency. Spirulina is rich in iron, magnesium and trace minerals, and is easier to absorb than iron supplements.

Spirulina is the highest source of B-12, essential for healthy nerves and tissue, especially for vegetarians.

These are just a few examples. Thanks
I realise this might make it sound like everything has Spirulina in it at my house, but actually I use the stuff sparingly.....It's bloody expensive and that and bee pollen are the only reason I go into the ludicrously priced 'health food shop'

 

[sandrachameleon]

Spirulina is part of the gutload I make. (Three cheers for SandraChameleons' gutload recipes!) but once a week I also dust the feeders solely in the powdered Spirulina.

I use it in my gutloads and occassionally (less often than Trace) will mix with calcium and use as a supplement dust.

pardon my ignorance, what is spirulina exactly for? I mean I know it's some kind of food supplement, but what does it do to chameleons?

It is an algae that provides protien (all 8 essential amino acids), Vitamin K, Pantothenic Acid, Magnesium, Potassium, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Iron, Copper, Manganese, carotenoids. Its a superfood, which I add to my OWN diet, not just that of my bugs. And as Im no health nut, this actually means something.


Details: https://www.chameleonforums.com/blo...dried-spirulina-seaweed-blue-green-algae.html

 

[sandrachameleon]

I realise this might make it sound like everything has Spirulina in it at my house, but actually I use the stuff sparingly.....It's bloody expensive and that and bee pollen are the only reason I go into the ludicrously priced 'health food shop'

buy online. If you buy at the health food stores you are over paying majorly.

 

[DavidBuchan]

buy online. If you buy at the health food stores you are over paying majorly.

It's a good point, lol....I use it so sparingly I only bought two packs since I bought the lizards...I could have saved enough for a pouch of tobacco though......

 

[sandrachameleon]

It's a good point, lol....I use it so sparingly I only bought two packs since I bought the lizards...I could have saved enough for a pouch of tobacco though......

well then your money was better spent!

 

[DavidBuchan]

well then your money was better spent!

You're a cheeky minx

 

[sandrachameleon]

You're a cheeky minx

why thank you!

 

[stalincat]

@DavidBuchan
you can buy bee polen on ebay for like £2 for a 100g. I would think the green stuff won't be much more expensive

@sandrachameleon
thanks for the info

 

[Ferrah88]

Spirulina is part of the gutload I make. (Three cheers for SandraChameleons' gutload recipes!) but once a week I also dust the feeders solely in the powdered Spirulina.

Spirulina turns the insects an irresistible green colour which can get a picky eater chameleon or new wild caught specimen to accept an otherwise unrecognized insect.

That's great to know! I'm going to try a spirulina cricket on Yuki.. she's on a strike and only wants flies right now... I'm getting some new crickets in, as the ones I have might be too big, so I thought! I'll try one with some spirulina later, see how that goes

 

[tkilgour]

I use spirulina. It's a blue / green algae packed with goodies. I even use it in my diet and it helps boost immunity. The bugs do not care, but don't use too much for yourself, as the smell and taste can be over powering. The stuff is a miracle food. Simply dust your bugs with the powder or feed them the spirulina directly.

I also put spirulina powder in my reef fish food. I just let the squid, brine, nori, etc. soak in spirulina, garlic, and bee pollen. My fish are always healthy and vivid in appearance.

 

[stalincat]

guys you make it sound like a miracle supplement. Going to order right now!

 

[Trace]

It turned me into a newt!