Fish bait as food FOOD?

[aquaking]

I haven't been able to find any research on using fishing bait as fish food. Seams like a pretty easy and healthy way to feed fish correct? Without the thought of this "food" comming out of contaminated waters and infections deseases.... If they are frozen what are the chances of my fish getting sick from.... frozen herring, live sand shrimp, fly lava, mealworms? I already use nightcrawlers without any thought because my firetrack eel loves um.... It's the peacock bass and catfish i'm more into.... And on top of that any know what Ripsaw Catfish like to eat the most? or which is best for growth? Thanks

 

[guppy]

I have used many types of bait without problems, just make sure it is not spoiled and if feeding freshwater baitfish to fresh water fish use the same precautions as when using goldfish. Frozen food is not much safer than fresh, maony parasites and diseases survive freezing.

 

[aquaking]

Well how about saltwater baitfish to freshwater predators? Since they are attive in the ocean when caught they should be healthy.... otherwise dead and eaten already?

 

[stotty]

I have used dead bates from pike fishing loads of times. Never had a problem just make certain they are fully defrosted.

 

[Oddball]

Saltwater bait for FW fish is fine. Just watch out for the oily fish (mackerel, sardines, etc). Their oils are usually cleaned out of a SW system with a skimmer but, there's no such luxury in a FW tank.
Fresh.frozen bait meat is fine. But, don't use commercially prepared fish baits (catfish balls, pink salmon eggs, etc). These baits are usually heavy in blood meal, artificial colorings, and nitrates.

 

[Filthy Sanchez]

I used bait shrimp (saltwater) as FW fish food when I first started in the hobby, they're farm raised and have less chance of parasites. However I don't know if thats something I'd do now.

 

[mts]

yea