Diet for Large Chocolate Oranda

Question
I have a fairly new,26 gal. system (5 weeks)and a large Chocolate Oranda
about 2x4 in., I had a smaller one and lost him, I think due to diet from
all I have read as I was only feeding flake food, by the time I knew about
feeding peas and such it was too late for him. I started feeding  my
remaining Oranda one pea a day and pellet or flake food  for the second
feeding. Yesterday I puchased a veggie clip, put a small piece of peeled
zuchini in this and he loved it....anyway, The little glutton  has just
about eat that small piece as I left it in there. How long can I leave this
in and  can I give him this on a reg. basis?I guess My main question would
be what would you consider a well balance diet for a large choc. Oranda?
I want to get him a friend when the local shop get some more. I didn't
realize they would be so hard to come by. He is a beautiful orange and black
named "smooch" as he will eat from my fingers!Thanks for any advice!
Glenda Black


Answer
Hello,
A good balanced diet for a fish would be

- Flakes or pellets (everyday)
- Live foods such as brine shrimp or blood worms as a monthly treat
- Veggie's, such as  30 second boiled lettuce, boiles pea's with out shell, suger free spinach, cucumber e.c.t 1-2 times a week.


That way you'll keep him happy and healthy and hopefully he will live a long time =]
Im so glad some one actually cares upon how to care for there fish properly, most people think they can shove them in a bowl and feed them flakes, so thank you