Tropical Pro Defence XXS 100ml / 70g

Tropical Pro Defence XXS 100ml / 70g is a complete, high-protein food for ornamental fry and adult fish of small species. Its slowly sinking microgranules measure approximately 0.5mm, giving free-swimming fry, nano fish and small-mouthed adults a more consistent particle than hand-crushed flakes. The manufacturer declares 57% crude protein and a probiotic feed additive containing viable Bacillus subtilis C-3102 endospores.

This is the sealed 100ml jar with a declared net weight of 70g. It is not the 10g pouch or a 3-litre or 5-litre trade bucket. The single preserved product image shows the correct Pro Defence Size XXS jar front, but it does not show the back label or the food particles at life size. The current label on the supplied jar remains the final authority if Tropical updates the recipe, additives, feeding direction or pack artwork.

Who Is Tropical Pro Defence XXS For?

The 0.5mm particle is designed for fish that are already able to recognise and swallow a microgranule. This can include many free-swimming fry, young livebearers, juvenile tetras and rasboras, miniature cyprinids, small killifish, small labyrinth fish and adult nano species. Suitability depends on actual mouth size and feeding behaviour, not on a broad family name.

It is not automatically suitable from the first feeding day of every larval fish. Newly hatched fry can differ dramatically: some take prepared particles, while others initially require infusoria, rotifers, newly hatched Artemia or another moving prey of the correct size. Observe whether the fry can capture and swallow the granule rather than assuming "XXS" means small enough for every species.

Feeding situation	Likely fit	Check before use
Free-swimming fry that accept dry food	Strong intended use	Confirm the 0.5mm particle can be swallowed
Adult nano fish and small species	Strong intended use	Make sure slow sinking reaches their normal feeding zone
Young fish growing beyond powder food	Useful transition	Introduce gradually and watch intake
Newly hatched or very fine-mouthed larvae	May be too large	Use a genuinely smaller first food where required
Medium or large adult fish	Usually inefficient	Choose a larger particle the fish can locate and take cleanly
Specialist herbivores or carnivores	Species dependent	Particle size does not override nutritional ecology

Why the 0.5mm Particle Matters

Food must be small enough to swallow but large enough to remain a distinct, detectable particle. Crushed flakes produce irregular fragments: some are too large, while fine dust can disperse before fish feed. The manufacturer's 0.5mm microgranule offers a repeatable size and sinks slowly, helping fish feed below the surface.

Slow sinking does not mean every granule follows the same path. Surface agitation, filter flow and the point of introduction influence distribution. In a fry tank with a sponge filter, sprinkle the smallest controlled portion across an accessible area. In a planted nano aquarium, use more than one feeding point so shy or subordinate fish are not excluded.

If fish repeatedly spit the food out, ignore it or leave intact particles on the substrate, change the particle size or food type. Do not keep increasing the portion. For fish that have outgrown XXS, compare Tropical Pro Defence Granules S or Tropical Pro Defence Granules M.

Verified Composition

The current manufacturer specification declares the following ingredient groups. The list is reproduced to help customers judge the formula accurately; it should not be converted into medical promises.

Declared ingredient group	Named detail
Fish and fish derivatives	Animal-derived aquatic ingredients form part of the recipe
Vegetable protein extracts	Concentrated plant-derived protein ingredients
Cereals	Cereal ingredients contribute to the completed granule
Products of vegetable origin	Includes red pepper extract at 3,000mg/kg
Molluscs and crustaceans	Includes krill meal at 1.5%
Algae	Includes Spirulina platensis at 1.5%
Yeasts	Includes beta-1,3/1,6-glucan at 1,300mg/kg
Oils and fats	Part of the formula's energy and nutrient profile
Mineral feed materials	Mineral ingredients in the complete food

The food is not vegetarian: fish, mollusc and crustacean ingredients are declared. Keep the jar away from human food preparation, wash hands after use and check the physical label where household sensitivities are relevant. Manufacturers can update declarations, so retain the original container rather than decanting the whole pack into an unlabelled tub.

Analytical Constituents

Constituent	Declared amount	Practical meaning
Crude protein	57.0%	A protein-rich complete feed for growth-stage and small fish within the intended use
Crude fat	12.5%	A concentrated energy and nutrient fraction; portion control matters
Crude fibre	2.2%	The measured fibre fraction of the completed food
Moisture	8.0%	A dry food that must be protected from humidity after opening

These values describe the food, not the amount a fish should receive. Fry have high growth demands but small stomachs and limited water volume. Several measured micro-meals are safer than one heavy feed. The 12.5% crude-fat level is another reason not to treat "tiny granules" as permission to pour freely.

Vitamins, Trace Elements and Probiotic Declaration

Tropical lists the following nutritional additives per kilogram. They are part of a formulated feed and are not aquarium water treatments.

Declared additive	Amount per kg
Vitamin A	42,000 IU
Vitamin D3	2,500 IU
Vitamin E	160mg
Vitamin C	600mg
Iron	54.0mg
Zinc	15.0mg
Manganese	11.2mg
Copper	2.7mg
Iodine	0.33mg
Molybdenum	0.07mg
Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (DSM 15544)	Minimum 1 × 1010 CFU/kg

The declaration also includes antioxidants. The listed copper is a trace-element feed additive, not a dose of copper medication. In aquariums containing sensitive invertebrates, feed only an amount the intended fish consume and follow species-specific guidance rather than assuming every prepared fish food is suitable for every animal.

What the Probiotic Claim Means

The manufacturer identifies viable endospores of Bacillus subtilis C-3102. Endospores are a resistant bacterial form used so the declared organism can remain viable through manufacture and dry storage. Tropical positions the Pro Defence line as supporting intestinal microflora and nutrient use, alongside beta-glucan, vitamins and carotenoids.

Those are manufacturer feed claims for the product used as directed. They do not mean the granules disinfect an aquarium, prevent every infection or compensate for crowding, poor oxygen, unstable temperature, ammonia or nitrite. The product is also not a substitute for live foods where a species or developmental stage needs moving prey.

Keep the jar within its labelled best-before period and storage conditions. The online declaration states a minimum probiotic count per kilogram for the manufactured food, but this listing does not promise a laboratory count after the product has been left open, damp, overheated or stored beyond the label date.

How Much and How Often to Feed

The manufacturer advises feeding several times daily in small portions so the fish consume each portion within two to three minutes. That is an upper observation window, not a reason to leave visible food sitting for three minutes in a tiny fry tank. Start with less, watch the complete feeding event and increase only while fish actively take the particles.

1. Gently shake the closed jar before use, as the manufacturer advises, to reduce natural clumping.
2. Tip a small amount into a clean dry lid, spoon or feeding dish rather than shaking over the aquarium.
3. Offer a very light first portion across the feeding area.
4. Watch whether the intended fish capture and swallow it.
5. Add more only when the first portion is consumed and the fish still require food.
6. Stop if particles collect on the substrate, in moss or behind equipment.
7. Adjust the next meal from what you observed, not from a fixed pinch used for every tank.

Using XXS in Fry Tanks

Fry systems often have low water volume and deliberate gentle flow, so excess food can accumulate quickly. Match the particle to the developmental stage, keep the biological filter mature and test ammonia and nitrite whenever feeding increases. A sponge filter is useful because it protects fry and provides biological filtration, but it does not make overfeeding harmless.

Spread microgranules so weaker fry have access. A single dense drop point allows the fastest juveniles to take the entire meal. Watch bellies and growth consistency across the group. Large variation can signal competition, an unsuitable food size, disease or water-quality pressure rather than simply "slow growers".

Pro Defence XXS can form the prepared-food part of a feeding plan. Depending on species, breeders may also use Tropical Mikrovit Basic Fry & Micro Fish Food, Tropical Mikrovit Hi-Protein or correctly sized live food. Do not add variety unless each food suits the fry and can be controlled.

Using XXS for Adult Nano Fish

Adult nano fish can benefit from a particle that fits the mouth without repeated crushing. Slowly sinking granules may suit small tetras, rasboras, killifish and labyrinth fish that feed through the upper and middle water, but the formula must still match the species' diet. A fish accepting the food does not prove it should be the only food forever.

In a mixed nano community, use several feeding points and observe shy fish. Some bottom-associated species may miss particles captured in mid-water, while surface specialists may take little after the food descends. A second food format can solve a feeding-zone gap, but avoid turning every meal into an uncontrolled mixture.

XXS, S, M, Powder or Mini Granules?

Format	Best use	Main caution
Pro Defence XXS, 0.5mm	Free-swimming fry and adults of small species	Still too large for some newly hatched larvae
Pro Defence S	Young fish and small adults that have outgrown XXS	Confirm the current S granule size on its own label
Pro Defence M	Larger adults able to handle a larger granule	Not efficient for fry or nano mouths
Fine powder food	Very small fry that need suspended fine particles	Easy to overdose and disperse into the filter
Supervit Mini Granulat	Small community fish needing a different complete-food rotation	Check particle size and formula rather than assuming "mini" equals XXS

Move to a larger particle when fish can swallow it cleanly and the smaller food has become difficult to distribute or observe. For a separate small-community option, compare Tropical Supervit Mini Granulat. For a freeze-dried invertebrate supplement rather than another staple, see Tropical FD Calanus.

Water Quality and Uneaten Microgranules

Micro food can disappear from sight without being eaten. It can settle among fine plants, behind a sponge filter or in substrate gaps. Decomposition still consumes oxygen and contributes nitrogenous waste. In a newly established or heavily fed fry system, even a small excess matters.

Observation	First response	Avoid
Cloudy water after feeding	Reduce portions, remove remains and test ammonia and nitrite	Adding a water clarifier while feeding the same amount
Food collecting on the bottom	Use a smaller dose or different feeding point	Leaving it for snails to "clean up"
Fry stop eating	Check temperature, oxygen, ammonia, nitrite and health	Adding several new foods at once
Only dominant juveniles grow	Spread feeds and review group density	Doubling the whole-tank portion without observation
Granules clump in the jar	Keep the pack dry and gently shake closed before use	Breaking damp clumps into the aquarium

Water changes, filtration and removal of debris remain essential. The manufacturer describes improved nutrient use and less pollution from fish excreta as benefits of its probiotic line; that is not a zero-waste guarantee. Food that is never eaten remains waste.

Storage and Handling

Keep the original jar tightly closed in a cool, dry place away from direct sun, condensation and aquarium splashes. Do not store it on a warm light hood or beside an open tank. Use dry hands or a clean dry scoop, and close the lid immediately after measuring a portion.

• Retain the product name, EAN, lot and best-before details on the original container.
• Do not combine old and new batches in one jar.
• Do not refrigerate unless the physical label specifically instructs it.
• Discard food with visible mould, pest contamination, an unusual odour or damp deterioration.
• Gently shake the sealed jar before feeding to address normal clumping; do not add water to the container.

The 100ml / 70g jar is useful only if it can be consumed while fresh. A small number of fry may use very little per meal, so follow the best-before date and avoid opening multiple similar foods without a clear rotation plan.

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Why it matters	Better choice
Using XXS for every newly hatched fry	Some larvae cannot swallow 0.5mm particles	Match first food to species and developmental stage
Calling it a medicine	The probiotic food does not diagnose or treat disease	Use as labelled nutrition and investigate illness properly
Shaking the jar over the tank	A slip can release many meals at once	Measure into a dry lid or scoop away from the water
Feeding until the water looks full	Microgranules are easy to underestimate	Use observed small portions
Assuming 57% protein suits every species	Diet is more than one analytical number	Check the species' feeding ecology and complete rotation
Relying on the product image for pack size	Similar artwork appears on several formats	Use the verified 100ml / 70g listing and physical label
Leaving the jar in humid air	Moisture damages dry-food quality and encourages clumping	Close promptly and store cool and dry

Ordering the Correct Pack

This listing is for one Tropical Pro Defence Size XXS jar containing 100ml / 70g. The current live price and availability are shown in the buy box, so the description does not embed a price that could become stale. Check that you need the 0.5mm XXS particle rather than Size S or M before ordering.

Dry-goods UK delivery options are shown at checkout. The live-arrival guarantee is for livestock and does not apply to a sealed dry fish food, but normal order and delivery support remains available. Eligible first-time customers can use WELCOME10 for 10% off their first order under the current promotion terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

What pack size is supplied?

The listing is for the 100ml jar with a declared net weight of 70g. It is not the 10g pouch or a 3-litre or 5-litre bucket.

How large are the granules?

The manufacturer states approximately 0.5mm. They are slowly sinking microgranules for free-swimming fry and adult fish of small species able to swallow that particle.

Is Pro Defence XXS a complete food?

Yes, the manufacturer classifies it as a complete food for ornamental fish within its intended use. A mixed aquarium may still need other particle sizes or formulas for species with different diets.

Does it contain a probiotic?

Yes. The additive declaration names Bacillus subtilis C-3102, DSM 15544, at a minimum 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU per kilogram.

Is this a medicated fish food?

No. It is a probiotic complete feed, not an antibiotic, antiparasitic or disease treatment. It does not replace quarantine, diagnosis or correct water quality.

Can all fry eat 0.5mm granules?

No. Fry mouth size and feeding strategy vary. Some newly hatched larvae need a smaller powder or live prey before they can take XXS granules.

How often should I feed it?

The manufacturer advises several small portions daily, each consumed within two to three minutes. Start with less and adjust from direct observation.

Why should the jar be shaken before feeding?

The manufacturer advises gently shaking the closed container to limit the product's natural clumping. Keep the food dry and never add water to the jar.

What is the crude protein level?

The declared crude protein is 57.0%. Crude fat is 12.5%, crude fibre 2.2% and moisture 8.0%.

Does it contain fish or crustacean ingredients?

Yes. The composition includes fish and fish derivatives, molluscs and crustaceans including 1.5% krill meal. It also includes 1.5% spirulina and cereal and plant ingredients.

When should I move from XXS to Size S?

Move when the fish can swallow a larger granule cleanly and XXS has become difficult to distribute or observe. Compare the Size S label and particle with the actual fish rather than changing by age alone.

Is the product image the exact jar?

The preserved image shows the correct Tropical Pro Defence Size XXS jar front. It is a product reference, not a view of the back label, lot, best-before date or 0.5mm granules at life size.

Evidence and Specification Basis

Pack size, EAN, 0.5mm particle, intended use, composition, analytical constituents, additives and feeding direction were checked against Tropical's current manufacturer product page and official store record. Tropical's 2026 product catalogue independently describes Size XXS as a 0.5mm sinking probiotic microgranule for fry and adults of small species. The supplied jar label takes priority if a later batch differs.

This source-led format gives customers and search systems exact product entities: Tropical Pro Defence Size XXS, 100ml / 70g, 0.5mm slowly sinking microgranules, 57% crude protein and a named probiotic feed additive. It is intentionally more precise than repeating generic "best tropical fish food" or supermarket search phrases.