Healthy Feeder Fish?

[abiddle]

I have heard numerous warnings about feeder fish from the pet store because of the possibility of them having parasites or diseases.

Could I purchase some feeders, put them in a seperate tank and treat them with something before feeding?

Thanks!

 

[cnoel08]

yea, it is called a quarantine tank. do a search on it real quick

I never do it but some swear by it.

 

[AU_Arowana-RG]

That works, but another method would be to breed your own feeders. That or immediately medicating them as soon as you get them and not feeding them anytime soon. Preferrably, keep them in your tanks for a while and gut load them by feeding them fish food.

 

[Eoibio]

you could buy some common good grade community livebeares then you will know that they are healthy that way.

 

[krichardson]

Could I purchase some feeders, put them in a seperate tank and treat them with something before feeding?

Thanks!

Coppersafe for any parasites that the feeders may have on or in their bodies.

 

[killerfish]

Yes and this is highly recomended for any one who uses feeders they make many products to treat the water to kill any parasites in the feeders

also haveing them in there own tank allows you to " gut load " them ( feeding the feeder fish a certain food that will be past onto the predator that eats it ) which is helpful with large fish that don't eat all there food groups

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

you could buy some common good grade community livebeares then you will know that they are healthy that way.

The regular fish in a lfs are usually kept on the same filtration system as feeders. So if the feeders are diseased the regular fish are too. That is why you should allways quarintine any new fish for a few weeks. Feeders or not. Community fish just offer a better nutrient load then a feeder.

 

[ShadowBass]

It's a good idea and will work for most stuff, but you can't treat for absolutely everything so there's always a chance you'll still introduce something.

That's why I won't feed storebought feeders unless the fish absolutely will not eat anything else. No reason to risk one of my fish just for the heck of it.

If you have a fish that will eat other items but you just want to watch him feed then you're best off breeding your own.
Well, obviously you're better off feeding your own even if the fish will only eat feeders, but I know it's sometimes hard to get a good amount of feeders built up.

 

[cougar579]

In all honesty, treating your feeders before feeding them will become a pain in the rear. It will also become expensive. I have always got my fish onto frozen and pellets. Some fish will be hard headed but they will come around. I have had fish not eat for two months(extreme case) then finally took frozen.

 

[AU_Arowana-RG]

Some fish won't be as agreeing.