CAN I EAT MY CICHLID FISH?

[eshauen]

Hi,
Recently I have been unemployed and have 5 midas' and 3 oscars ina 55 gallon tank, two midas have become 11 inches and I have no room for them.
I was wondering if I can eat them or if they are poisonous, I am not going to give them away or sell them, because I raised them since they were fry.
So if someone can give me a serious answer it would be greatly appreciated. (i'm thinking about pan frying or baking in butter)
Thanks

 

[mgk]

go for it.

all parents should eat there kids instead or releasing them into the world lol

 

[Snowflake311]

We were talking about this in the SA/CA cichlid section. Look at the one about FL rivers.

Someone said oscars are really good.

But no you should not eat your fish. Have you ever treated them for ich or other stuff. If so it would not be healthy to eat them. You might have a better chance at selling them for some real food. Then sell the tank for extra cash. Don't eat your pets.

 

[benzjamin13]

With all the chemicals that we use to treat the water and disease, there are some risks. There was a member here who ate his Midas a long time ago...as far as I know, he was fine.

 

[IKeepPacu]

if you kept your fish in something like an aquaponics or aquaculture set up, or an outdoor pond where you NEVER used any dechlorinators, or added any chemicals or medications, yes you could eat most of them. theres many people out there who raise fish at home with nothing but the intent of eating them, usually tilapia in this case.

however, since many aquarium fish have had atleast dechlorinator used in their tanks, and usually atleast one dose of ich meds, it builds up in their body and can be harmful to you if you eat it.

believe it or not, many of the fish we keep as pets here in the states, are either normal, everyday food or delicacies in other countries. Pacu, Clown knives and Arapaima are just a few examples......

 

[IrnGynt]

You could probably sell them on CL (or here) and get their weight in Tilapia fillets.

Personally, I don't see eating them as being any more dangerous then eating wild caught fresh water fish considering all the run off, pesticides, fertilizers, and other hazardous chemicals found in rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes.

 

[IKeepPacu]

You could probably sell them on CL (or here) and get their weight in Tilapia fillets.

Personally, I don't see eating them as being any more dangerous then eating wild caught fresh water fish considering all the run off, pesticides, fertilizers, and other hazardous chemicals found in rivers, streams, ponds, and lakes.

and thats why theirs advisories on eating many freshwater fish, especially those in or near urban areas.

most saltwater fish are no better either, with all the buildups in them

 

[phillydog1958]

If you're really having a difficult economic time . . . I guess so, But why would you want to eat a pet fish? As one poster stated, you can sell them and buy tilapia fillets. I get a 4 lb box of frozen tilapia fillet for about $13.

 

[Bottomfeeder]

So you don't want to sell them because you raised them from fry, but have no reservations about killing and eating them?? I hate when people ask these questions. Would you eat your dog? Your cat?

And 5 Midas and 3 Oscars...in a 55?

 

[IKeepPacu]

for some reason, i didnt register this at first

im starting to get annoyed at the people trying to justify useless crap with "im in hard times" if times are so hard, how do they still manage to pay for internet service, and have a computer in which to post on??

If things were so bad as to need to resort to eating pets that you care oh so much about, most normal people would have sold off their computers, cancelled internet service, and be down to the clothes on their back. even then, it makes no sense since you can SELL the pets for money.