Wild caught minnows for feeders instead of lfs?
- Thread starter PredatorPiqued
- Start date
Pros: not inbred; genetically sound
Cons: wild type parasites
Cons: wild type parasites
Cons of wild caught-
Lots of parasites (almost definitely)
Effort in trapping them
bad for your local environment
Pros of wild caught-
None that I can think of. Free maybe? But time = money
Cons of LFS feeders-
Probable parasites & disease
Pros of LFS feeders-
Easy to get & cheap
Some fish will only take live food
Cons of Breeding your own-
Effort required
Pros of breeding your own-
No parasites & diseases
Endless supply
Free except for electricity & maintenance costs
Basically, the only safe and responsible way to go is to to breed your own. Or, buy them and quarantine for at least a month, while treating for diseases + parasites that may arise. After working in the LFS/pet industry for most of my life, I would never trust feeders bought from a store tank and put right in your fish's belly. Pretty much a guaranteed way to give your fish parasites and disease. Wild caught feeders will also posse a big risk.
Lots of parasites (almost definitely)
Effort in trapping them
bad for your local environment
Pros of wild caught-
None that I can think of. Free maybe? But time = money
Cons of LFS feeders-
Probable parasites & disease
Pros of LFS feeders-
Easy to get & cheap
Some fish will only take live food
Cons of Breeding your own-
Effort required
Pros of breeding your own-
No parasites & diseases
Endless supply
Free except for electricity & maintenance costs
Basically, the only safe and responsible way to go is to to breed your own. Or, buy them and quarantine for at least a month, while treating for diseases + parasites that may arise. After working in the LFS/pet industry for most of my life, I would never trust feeders bought from a store tank and put right in your fish's belly. Pretty much a guaranteed way to give your fish parasites and disease. Wild caught feeders will also posse a big risk.
Yikes. I'm not very educated on wild type parasites. I just purchased a few more payara. I've recently broke my other payara off live, but am restarting the process again with these new guys.
What would be the safer gamble even though they both kind of suck
If you do decide to start breeding your own, convict cichlids yield big spawns and lots of them, easily. Just need about a 20 gallon for a young pair. Could have a huge supply with a little effort.
If you wanna do feeders go through Anderson minnows. I’ve done this in the past ordering 3-4k at a time. They breed their own golden shiners and various other feeders you can choose from.
Wow,what's your set up for keeping that many feeders on hand?
If you absolutely must feed live fish...both these choices are terrible! 
If I had to choose I would go with store-bought feeders and then quarantine them for at least a few weeks. This will allow you to at least notice and treat for some of the diseases and parasites they will...not might, but will...have. It will also allow you to feed them up and gut-load them before use.
If you decide to breed your own, which is really the most responsible answer, I'd suggest thinking about Rosy Reds (i.e. Fathead Minnows). Easy to keep in unheated basement tanks or bins, productive breeders, nice shape for easy swallowing.
If I had to choose I would go with store-bought feeders and then quarantine them for at least a few weeks. This will allow you to at least notice and treat for some of the diseases and parasites they will...not might, but will...have. It will also allow you to feed them up and gut-load them before use.
If you decide to breed your own, which is really the most responsible answer, I'd suggest thinking about Rosy Reds (i.e. Fathead Minnows). Easy to keep in unheated basement tanks or bins, productive breeders, nice shape for easy swallowing.
I’d make the argument that a wild caught feeder is better than an lfs kept feeder. More natural diet, diversify bacteria and diseases in your system potentially increasing fish immunity and resistance. I’d say just as likely to contain parasites unless quarantine procedures are implemented by lfs or you. free, easily collected. Definitely not devastating enough on the local environment. I used to feed exclusively wild caught feeders. I’d feed fresh then any leftovers freeze same as fish fillets.
If the feeder fish is riddled with disease/parasites in the wild than it likely already served its purpose as a feeder. The weak don’t often survive.
If the feeder fish is riddled with disease/parasites in the wild than it likely already served its purpose as a feeder. The weak don’t often survive.