I would never discount someones observations or theories...When they are not supported by well proved fact though, it also needs to be pointed out to avoid and help prevent others from having unexpected, unwanted or unintended results. In this particular instance (this and prior related threads), some "conclusions" and "theories have run counter to many well established, provable and known facts in some areas. We would never want to quell interesting new thoughts and possibilities...equally, if claims or conclusions are made, for any reason or by any person, that are clearly misleading, there must be clarification made and "warnings" added as to the voracity and likelihood of the claims/conclusions.

From all the research I have found, pepsin is the only enzyme that can break down "most" algae species protein barriers and then only in an "extremely" acidic enviornment....these conditions exist in very very few fish and not one mentioned outside of some tilapia species can produce those conditions.

Unfortunately there is a woeful lack in recent aquatic research and much of it is outdated and plain ole inaccurate. Many "studies now are compilations of earlier work that is not always accurate as well...Hopefully that trend is changing again.

I can "digest" sand....I can "eat" it too...what I can not do is live on it...that is the point I have tried to make...these fish, I could never consider "algae eaters"...my opinion...ymmv

Last edited by Rainman; 08/29/11 09:43 PM.