The Formula Two Flakes 34g from Ocean Nutrition is a soft, moist, slow-sinking pellet food targeted especially for marine tropical fish of herbivorous and omnivorous diets.

Formula Two Flakes it’s designed to provide a balanced diet that supports growth, coloration, and general health in fish.

Because of its softness and digestibility, fish produce less waste, which helps keep water cleaner.

Characteristics of Formula Two Flakes

• Texture: Soft and moist rather than hard and dry.

• Sinking behavior: Slow-sinking (not floating), meaning pellets will descend slowly through the water column, giving fish time to feed.

• Water clarity: The formula is claimed not to cloud the water when used in proper amounts.

• Packaging: Packed in a nitrogen-flushed Mylar (foil) bag to preserve freshness.

Size Variants from Ocean Nutrition 

• The 100 g version is often the small pellet size (approx. 1.2 mm).

• There are also medium (~3.1 mm) and XL (~8 mm) pellet sizes for larger fish.

• General guideline:
   • Use “small” for fish up to ~4 inches (≈ 10 cm) length
   • “Medium” for fish ~4–12 inches
   • XL for fish over ~12 inches

Ingredients of Formula Two Flakes 34g by Ocean Nutrition 

The formulation includes a blend of marine and plant-derived ingredients:

• Fish meal

• Wheat flour

• Kelp meal

• Soybean meal

• Alfalfa

• Krill meal

• Spirulina

• Squid meal

• Brewer’s dried yeast

• Lecithin

• Shrimp meal

• Garlic

• Fish oil

• Fish eggs

• Betaine hydrochloride

• Calcium propionate (preservative)

• Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid)

• Citric acid (preservative)

• Mixed tocopherols (natural antioxidant preservatives)

• Vegetable oil

• Rosemary extract

• Amino acids (DL-methionine, L-lysine, L-tryptophan)

• Taurine

• Guar gum

• Calcium sulfate

• a-Tocopheral acetate (vitamin E)

• Astaxanthin, canthaxanthin (colorants)

• Niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin A, riboflavin, pyridoxine, etc.

• Minerals (zinc, manganese, copper, iodine, selenium, etc.)

• Biotin, folic acid, etc.

Guaranteed Analysis of Formula Two Flakes

• Crude Protein (min.): 40.0 %

• Crude Fat (min.): 8.5 %

• Crude Fiber (max.): 0.5 %

• Moisture (max.): 17.0 %

• Ash (max.): 9.0 %

• Phosphorus (min.): 0.5 %

Feeding Recommendations following the manufacturer's recommendation of Ocean Nutrition

• Feed 1 to 3 times a day, giving only what the fish can consume in about five minutes.

• Remove any uneaten food after that time to prevent water quality degradation.

• After opening, the foil bag remains good for 3–4 months if stored in a cool, dry place.

• Store the product sealed and away from humidity to maintain freshness.

Compatibility

Formula Two Flakes is especially good for fish that require plant material or mixed diets:

• Herbivorous and omnivorous marine tropical fish: e.g. Tangs, Rabbitfish, Pygmy Angels, Chromis, Damsels, Parrots, Clowns, Marine Angels

• Also compatible with invertebrates: e.g. sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, crabs, shrimp

Formula Two Flakes 34g it’s less ideal for strictly carnivorous fish that demand high animal-protein diets; for those, Ocean Nutrition offers other formulations (e.g. “Formula One”) more targeted for carnivores.

Pros when using Formula Two Flakes

• Balanced diet combining plant and marine sources

• Enhances coloration (due to spirulina, pigments)

• Palatable flavor (contains garlic to attract picky eaters)

• Soft texture → easier digestion, lower waste

• Does not significantly cloud water if used properly

• Versatile across many species

• Good shelf life when stored properly

Considerations 

• Storage Sensitivity
  Because Formula Two Pellets are soft and moist and sealed in nitrogen-flushed foil bags, they stay fresh longer than many dry pellet foods. However, once the package is opened, they can absorb moisture from the air and degrade more quickly if not properly sealed. Exposure to humidity, heat, or direct sunlight may cause the pellets to harden, lose nutritional value, or even mold over time. It’s best to reseal the bag tightly after each use and store it in a cool, dry location (or even inside an airtight container) to maintain maximum freshness.
• Risk of Overfeeding
  Although the pellets are formulated to be highly digestible, feeding too much at once can still cause issues. Excess food will sink and, if uneaten, break down into organic waste. This can lead to elevated ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels, reduced oxygen content, and poor water clarity. Overfeeding may also contribute to unwanted algae growth, since the nutrient-rich breakdown fuels algal blooms. Aquarists should stick to the “consume within five minutes” guideline and remove uneaten pellets promptly.
• Dietary Limitations for Certain Species
  While the Formula Two blend includes a balance of plant and marine proteins, it is specifically geared toward herbivorous and omnivorous marine fish. Highly carnivorous species, such as certain wrasses, lionfish, or predatory groupers, may not receive adequate levels of animal protein or may be less interested in the plant content. For those fish, a carnivore-focused formula (such as Ocean Nutrition’s Formula One) or frozen meaty foods may be more suitable as a staple diet.
• Pellet Size Suitability
  Ocean Nutrition offers the pellets in small, medium, and XL sizes. Choosing the wrong size can cause feeding difficulties. Pellets that are too large for smaller fish may be hard to swallow, leading to spitting, wasted food, or even feeding stress. Conversely, pellets that are too small for larger fish may not provide enough nutrition per bite, causing fish to eat excessively and increasing the likelihood of waste. Aquarists should match pellet size to the average mouth size of their fish population for the most efficient feeding.
• Feeding Picky or Shy Eaters
  While the inclusion of garlic helps stimulate appetite, some newly introduced or highly selective fish may still hesitate to eat pellets right away, especially if they are accustomed to frozen or live foods. Transitioning such species may require patience, mixing pellets with frozen foods, or soaking them in attractants until the fish adapt.