Astaxanthin---Not just a color enhancing carotenoid

[Halter]

I wanted to share this as this is not only something that I have been using for many months, but something I feel that should be part of every froggers dusting regimen and tadpole feeding schedule.

Astaxanthin is a keto-carotenoid. It belongs to a larger class of phytochemicals known as terpenes, which are built from five carbon precursors; isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate is a 100% all natural algae is produced from Haematococcus microalgae. This algae is composed of many different types of carotenoids. Carotenoids such as Astaxanthin, with of the remaining parts consisting of canthaxanthin, lutein and beta-carotene carotenoids.

As many of you know amphibians rely on different caretenoids to successfully process specific vitamins, minerals, and even calcium for proper homeostasis. Like most reptiles, amphibians heavily rely on Vitamin A for oogenesis, vision, taste, and for proper saliva ratios on the tongue to properly catch prey. With that being said, this carotenoid not only offers the optimal ingredients needed for proper vitamin absorption it also acts as a nutural color enhancer. It has been studied that in many salmoniods that astaxanthin brightnes the color of these fish substancially. With my own use, and other hobbyists use it is noted it does the exact same thing with amphibians.

When I use this carotenoid I dust the fruit flies weekly with it. It sticks to the flies extremely well, and also does not flake off like many other supplements seem to do. SInce starting this supplement about 6 months ago I have noticed a dramatic increase of viable egg production in many of my Ranitomeya. While it is still being studied on everything that astaxantin does for the amphibian (100% positive) the facts are adding up, and egg development being a key with this caroteniod.

My supplement schedule is as follows: Vitamin A plus every 2 weeks, astaxanthin once weekly, Calcium Plus 5 days a week. I am hoping to start carrying Dendrocare here shortly as well, which honestly is significantly better for Dart frogs than the Calcium Plus in my opinion.

I am not only posting this to hopefully educate, but to also see who else is using the carotenoid, and their thoughts on it. I use astaxanthin in my tad pole food that I make and I have noticed considerable positive results when using it in comparison to not using it. My girlfriend is studying to be a Veterinarian, and will be a board certified (the 6th in the country) amphibian veterinarian. With that being said we have access to something called VIN, which is a forum for Veterinarians to post studies, ask questions, and brianstorm cases. This website is a weath of information that I have access to, and hopefully soon I will be able to post studies on astaxanthin and its positive properties with amphibian homeostasis, after I get permission of course.

[Philsuma]

Great post Josh. Yes, I'm hearing this same information.