Feeder Fish

[Psychomatrix]

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.

i strongly AGREE with what was said here. There is a use for feeders and as my mother always said " variety is the spice of life".

 

[chefjamesscott]

I keep a 55g and a 30g as tanks for my feeders to live in till its time to swim with the big boys

So I control the health of them i use guppies, and white clouds as feeders as well as comets

 

[Cichlaholics Anonymous]

the issue I have with them is disease, because even if I medicate the feeders in quarantine with meds for internal parasites that might not be 100% effective, since there are times when multiples of rounds of treatment are necessary, and I'm not going to quarantine feeders for months, doesn't seem worth it. unless you breed your own and know the quality, but definitely it's a no for me with store bought feeders

 

[domokosj]

I add a lower level of copper to the water to kill any feeder parasites. When I go on vacation I add 2 feeders per day per oscar, and do not have to worry about the fish feeder breaking down and the fish starving. Doing this during vacation I feed them pellets, earth and superworms the rest of the year. Bottom line, the feeder goldfish fill a feeding "niche" for me, but I don not rely on them on a continuous basis.

 

[TheCanuck]

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.

"It's my opinion that offering live foods allow my predators to be what they are designed to be."

They are in a fish tank and will never be what they where suppose to be.


"It's also my opinion that depriving them of this natural behavior could lead to frustration, which could lead to nuisance aggression"

If you did correct research on feeders you would know that feeding live promotes aggression.

"I give them about 100 comets once a month or so. And boy do they love them"

Thats a bit much...


Other than you having some wrong info , i find you responsible with feedings. Feeders can be fed if the right precautions are taken. UV sterliz them is awsome which i know 99% of people dont do. Quarn them a seperate tank for a while is great too. Gut loading them is key. Feed the feeders healthy food and keep their water quality top notch. You will always run the risk of hurting your fish. I dont like the though of it.

Though i dont know why people dont breed 3 pairs of convicts ... free healthy feeders with no work.

 

[megalops///]

Once or twice a week I go out and cast net wild mosquito fish. They are very hardy, nutritious, and disease free. I've never had a problem with using them and will continue to do so. I also feed my fish about 200 live ghost shrimp a week a long with a couple dozen raw live clams. They do not eat pellets and I would never force it upon them, like many have suggested. That is just adding to the unnaturalness of keeping them in a tank. I like to reproduce nature as closely as possible.

I never feed them goldfish though. A. because they are bad for the fish, B. Who knows were they come from and what they've eaten. and C. Like most koi and goldfish, they are inbred to such an extent, they are retarded.

I find the people that see it as immoral/wrong/cruel to feed live to be ridiculous. They seem to try and make other people feel bad with them. All I have to say about that is don't push your agenda onto me. Even though I have more to say, I won't. So don't ask.

How ever, for all the fish that will willingly eat pellets, I feed them so.

 

[rudywieck52]

I think that as long as you take the nessicary precautions it can be a fairly safe practice...I also believe that it is extremely fun and interesting to watch. If you don't want to take the risk of feeding your fish feeders then that is fine and I don't blame you. My fish love feeders and I like to see them so excited. Seeing how much they enjoy it, I refuse to take it away because I love meat as well. If you think it's immoral because the feeder can't get away, look in the mirror first. You think it's wrong to put the feeder in an unwinnable situation but you're more than willing to eat that farm raised burger. My biggest point is that if you're not willing to give up ur meat, don't make your fish.

 

[megalops///]

I think that as long as you take the nessicary precautions it can be a fairly safe practice...I also believe that it is extremely fun and interesting to watch. If you don't want to take the risk of feeding your fish feeders then that is fine and I don't blame you. My fish love feeders and I like to see them so excited. Seeing how much they enjoy it, I refuse to take it away because I love meat as well. If you think it's immoral because the feeder can't get away, look in the mirror first. You think it's wrong to put the feeder in an unwinnable situation but you're more than willing to eat that farm raised burger. My biggest point is that if you're not willing to give up ur meat, don't make your fish.

Could never of said it better my-self!

 

[nes999]

i breed my own. my oscars will get 1 or 2 every month if they are lucky. they for me are used as a treat. convicts are amazing.

 

[Deep Blue Sea]

I try to feed my fish smelt when possibel because they have much hiher nutrients but when i cant i feed them feeders and none of my fish have died from them yet