Gel Food for Wood-Rasping (Xylivorous) Fish

Repashy Morning Wood is a specially formulated gel premix designed for xylivorous (wood-eating) species such as plecos, especially those in the Panaque, Hypostomus, and Ancistrus genera. Packed with high-fiber ingredients and natural plant matter, this gel replicates the fibrous diet these species rely on in the wild.

At Aquatic Arts, we feed Repashy Morning Wood to our in-house populations of wood-grazing plecos and other algae raspers. It’s part of our regular feeding rotation and an essential supplement to maintain healthy digestion and natural behavior in fish that consume wood as part of their diet.

Why We Love It:

• Formulated for Xylivores: Mimics the high-fiber diet of wood-eating fish species.

• Fiber-Rich & Plant-Based: Includes cellulose, seaweed, alfalfa, and nettle leaf.

• Easy to Prepare: Pourable gel that can be molded, sliced, or shredded for flexible feeding.

• Used at Aquatic Arts: Trusted for long-term health in our wood-grazing fish species.

What Are Xylivorous Fish?

Xylivores are fish that consume wood fibers and tough plant matter as part of their natural diet. In the wild, many plecos rasp on driftwood not just for algae, but also to extract nutrients and aid digestion with indigestible fiber. A diet like Morning Wood helps replicate that natural feeding behavior in captivity.

About Panaque, Hypostomus, and Ancistrus Plecos:

These three genera are some of the most well-known and widely kept types of plecos in the aquarium hobby:

• Panaque: Known as the true wood-eaters, these plecos have specialized teeth that allow them to rasp and digest wood. They grow large and need a strong source of fiber to maintain gut health.

• Hypostomus: This diverse group includes several species that naturally rasp wood, algae, and detritus. They’re often found in fast-moving South American rivers.

• Ancistrus: Commonly called bristlenose plecos, these smaller, peaceful plecos thrive in planted tanks and benefit from a diet that includes fibrous and plant-based materials—especially as juveniles and adults continue to rasp on driftwood.

If you keep any of these species—or similar rasping fish—Repashy Morning Wood is a staple food to support their unique dietary needs.

How to Use:

1. To make 1 cup of gel, mix ¼ cup powder with ¾ cup cold water and stir until smooth.

2. Heat until it begins to boil (microwave for 2–3 minutes or boil water separately and mix).

3. Stir thoroughly, pour into molds or a container, and let it cool and firm at room temperature.

4. Once set, serve in cubes, slabs, or shredded pieces.

Storage Tip: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for up to 6 months. Adjust water for desired firmness.

Full Ingredients:

Cellulose Powder, Dried Seaweed Meal, Alfalfa Leaf Meal, Spirulina Algae, Rice Protein Concentrate, Pea Protein Isolate, Stabilized Rice Bran, Dried Brewer’s Yeast, Dried Kelp, Stinging Nettle, Locust Bean Gum, Calcium Carbonate, Potassium Citrate, Malic Acid, Taurine, Garlic, Watermelon, Rose Hips, Hibiscus Flower, Calendula Flower, Marigold Flower, Paprika, Turmeric, Salt, Calcium Propionate and Potassium Sorbate (preservatives), Magnesium Amino Acid Chelate, Zinc Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Manganese Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Copper Methionine Hydroxy Analogue Chelate, Selenium Yeast.

Vitamins: Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement, Choline Chloride, Calcium L-Ascorbyl-2-Monophosphate, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Beta Carotene, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, Folic Acid, Biotin, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex.

Guaranteed Analysis:

• Crude Protein: min. 20%

• Crude Fat: min. 3%

• Crude Fat: max. 5%

• Crude Fiber: max. 50%

• Moisture: max. 8%

• Ash: max. 15%

Please Note:

This product is not for human consumption. Feed as part of a balanced diet tailored to xylivorous species.

Support the natural feeding instincts of your plecos with Repashy Morning Wood—the go-to formula for wood-rasping fish, and a staple in the Aquatic Arts fish room.