Optimum Flakes — Garlic Color-Enhancing Flakes Freshwater and Marine 45 g and 90 g - New Life

New Life Spectrum Optimum Flakes use the Spectrum Nutrition Formula. They are suitable for smaller, surface-feeding community fish. Pellets provide higher nutrient density and stability in water, but flakes remain a great solution for fish already conditioned to flakes, or as a transition toward New Life Spectrum pellets.

Like all Spectrum products, Optimum flakes combine high-quality marine proteins — whole Antarctic krill — with aquatic vegetables such as spirulina and chlorella seaweed, in a nutrient-rich preparation.

What the label states

• Natural color-enhancing flakes + garlic — garlic is part of the official ingredient list
• Freshwater and marine — one jar covers both types of tanks
• Positive buoyancy: most flakes will float (manufacturer's own spec)
• All-purpose flake food

Guaranteed analysis (New Life Spectrum)

• Crude protein (min.): 40%
• Crude fat (min.): 9%
• Crude fiber (max.): 8%
• Moisture (max.): 10%
• Vitamin A (min.): 10,000 IU/kg
• Vitamin D (min.): 3,500 IU/kg
• Vitamin E (min.): 400 IU/kg
• Ascorbic acid, vitamin C (min.): 600 IU/kg

Ingredients

Krill (Euphausia superba), squid (Dosidicus gigas), whole wheat flour, fish (Brevoortia tyrannus), garlic, fish oil, seaweed (Ulva lactuca, Undaria pinnatifida, Eucheuma cottonii, Eucheuma spinosum, Chondrus crispus), green algae (Chlorella pyrenoidosa), kelp, ginger, astaxanthin, spirulina, marigold, bentonite clay, sea salt, vitamins and minerals (A, D, E, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin, thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxine, calcium pantothenate, vitamin C, choline chloride, ethylenediamine dihydroiodide, cobalt sulfate, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate). Preservative: tocopherols.

Available sizes

• 45 g jar (1.6 oz)
• 90 g jar (3.2 oz)

The manufacturer also offers a 600 g bucket, not stocked at ReefSolution.

Rounding out your fish feeding

• New Life Spectrum Marine Fish sinking pellets — the logical next step for marine fish that feed below the surface
• New Life Spectrum Thera+A — the boosted-garlic formula from the same line, for a fish refusing food or recovering
• New Life Spectrum AlgaeMax — herbivore formula for tangs and other algae grazers
• New Life Spectrum Probiotix — the probiotic-enriched version, for digestion and water quality

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these flakes for marine tanks or freshwater only?

Both. The label explicitly states “Freshwater & Marine Flakes” and the manufacturer classifies them as an all-purpose flake food. It is one of the few flake foods covering both tank types with the same formula.

Why is there garlic in a fish food?

Garlic is part of the official ingredient list of the Optimum formula, alongside Antarctic krill and squid. It is advertised in large type on the front of the jar (“Natural Color Enhancing Flakes + Garlic”) rather than being a quiet addition.

Should I choose New Life Spectrum flakes or pellets?

The manufacturer is direct about this: pellets provide higher nutrient density and stability in water. Flakes serve smaller fish that feed at the surface, fish already conditioned to flakes, or as a transition step before moving to pellets.