Hey everyone. I was wondering. A lot of people in this hobby are split on why or why not feed feeders. I believe that the major points for people that don't feed feeders is that the feeders can be diseased or that the feeders are too fatty or not nutririous enough. However, in the wild, don't the fish you have in your tank eat only live fish? Let me know what you think, The Doctor.
Feeder Fish
- Thread starter Dr_Shakalu
- Start date
No they actually eat a variety of things yes including other fish.However they don't eat just the same fish daily for years.Theres a variety of different fish.-Anne
In addition to what Anne said, feeders are also fed substandard feed, unlike fish in the wild where they have a more balanced diet.
Kinda like, would you rather eat a fish that grew up on junk or healthy food?
Kinda like, would you rather eat a fish that grew up on junk or healthy food?
it seems that many people put feelings into their decision on feeders as well as fact. i personally hate the use of live feeders as there is no need for it when a huge variety of dead/prepared food is far more nutritious and readily avalible. the only exception for me is for fish that will not convert at all to dead or prepared food.
my personal opinion is that its cruel as the fish is hounded into submission with ultimately no chance of escape, even in the wild they have at least a slim chance of escape. its the same principle as throwing a live zebra in the same cage as a pride of lions, it has no chance of escape, yet this would be deemed completely immoral and cruel not to mention the probable prison sentance/fine you would recieve for animal cruelty. it seems one rule for mammals and another for fish.
of course this is just my personal feelings on the matter and i would rather not be flamed by the feeder advocates out there.
my personal opinion is that its cruel as the fish is hounded into submission with ultimately no chance of escape, even in the wild they have at least a slim chance of escape. its the same principle as throwing a live zebra in the same cage as a pride of lions, it has no chance of escape, yet this would be deemed completely immoral and cruel not to mention the probable prison sentance/fine you would recieve for animal cruelty. it seems one rule for mammals and another for fish.
of course this is just my personal feelings on the matter and i would rather not be flamed by the feeder advocates out there.
Here's where I personally stand on the use of feeders. I use them. They fill a valuable role for my fishes. I believe live foods is one of the many variables that has made my tank successful so far. It's my opinion that offering live foods allow my predators to be what they are designed to be. It's also my opinion that depriving them of this natural behavior could lead to frustration, which could lead to nuisance aggression. In my specific situation, I try and manipulate each and every variable to work for me rather than against me.
With that said, I use a big 36 watt UV Sterilizer to head off any issues with parasites or diseases. I give them about 100 comets once a month or so. And boy do they love them. They'll cram three or four in their mouths at once. And all the scales floating make it look like a glittery, fishy disco, lol.
It's all part of a well rounded variety I use for feeding in addition to quality pellets, market shrimp, market fish filets, bloodworms, live crickets, night crawlers, etc.. I feel feeders have their place and purpose as long as you take the proper precautions to ensure the health of your fishes.
With that said, I use a big 36 watt UV Sterilizer to head off any issues with parasites or diseases. I give them about 100 comets once a month or so. And boy do they love them. They'll cram three or four in their mouths at once. And all the scales floating make it look like a glittery, fishy disco, lol.
It's all part of a well rounded variety I use for feeding in addition to quality pellets, market shrimp, market fish filets, bloodworms, live crickets, night crawlers, etc.. I feel feeders have their place and purpose as long as you take the proper precautions to ensure the health of your fishes.
Plus the fish in the wild have to work for their food (when they can find it), and get alot more exercise that our tanks can provide.
i use feeders because it keeps my fish on there toes. or fins. i also inspect them and i trust my lfs because only one fish didnt meet my standards.
I personally am not into feeding feeders, sure it is interesting but I think it is cruel in more ways in then one. first you are taking a cold water fish and dropping it in a tropical tank and then while still in shock gets attacked by a hungry fish. Second you need to worry about feeder quality, I actually have 3 fish stores that I use for different things. Dragon Aquarium is where I get most of my fish from because they normally have a better selection of pred's, Big Al's is where I get my prepared food and equipment from and believe it or not I used to get my feeders from Pet Smart because they had the best quality and a great price (but I dont use feeders anymore).
Even with my Ball Python I feed him frozen rats, pretty much for the same reasons.
Even with my Ball Python I feed him frozen rats, pretty much for the same reasons.
I used to feed feeders to my fish when I was a lot younger. I thought it was cool to see my oscars destroy the feeders. Now that I'm "wiser" LOL, I feed all of them prepared food now because it's cheaper, easier, more nutritious and doesn't take space for a quarantine tank. The only live food I use is Superworms and crickets both gut-loaded.