Is the native Fathead Minnow. Known as the "Base" of all pond forage, they get 3-4" and breed like rabbits. They are also known as the Rosy Red Minnow. They are cheap as dirt and are hardier than anything. There used for water testing and mosquito larvae control. Instead of convicts or guppies, these guys grow and breed faster than both, just give them something to lay eggs on, and there off.
Best cheap feeder
- Thread starter fishkeeper1
- Start date
Fathead minnows, which include rosy reds, do not make good feeder fish because they contain thiaminase. Thiaminase is a thiamine(Vitamin b1) inhibitor which in large amounts (it builds up) will cause your fish to become thiamine deficient. They can be used occasionally but should not be used long term. Other fish which contain thiaminase are Koi, Goldfish, and certain species of shiner (often refered to as minnows in bait stores). Guppies dont contain it and make good feeders. I used to feed rosy reds to my red eared slider and found out the hard way before i did some research into it.
Check out this thread http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22694
As you can tell by veiwing the last couple of pages of that thread I am unable to keep these so called hardy species alive no matter how many different things I have tried.
After several long talks with a local breeding facility about the situation I have the only thing they have that i do not is a chiller. i have made around 10 threads here on mfk over the years about the problems I have with this species to no avail. i do not know if its no one else is trying to keep them on a larger scale then a few dozen or what it is.
They are the cheapest feeder fish around my area and i do wish dearly that i could get them to atleast live a couple of weeks, But for me every batch ends in death and disease.
As you can tell by veiwing the last couple of pages of that thread I am unable to keep these so called hardy species alive no matter how many different things I have tried.
After several long talks with a local breeding facility about the situation I have the only thing they have that i do not is a chiller. i have made around 10 threads here on mfk over the years about the problems I have with this species to no avail. i do not know if its no one else is trying to keep them on a larger scale then a few dozen or what it is.
They are the cheapest feeder fish around my area and i do wish dearly that i could get them to atleast live a couple of weeks, But for me every batch ends in death and disease.