is it wrong to feed fish live food

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Unfortunately a planted set up is out of reach for most large predator keepers becuase the fish themselves will destroy the plants. I do like the idea here but I'm not sure if I back the feeders being dropped in as wrong. Regardless of the setup, there is no "escape". My tank is fairly full of deco (fake plants, rocks, driftwood) and on occasion I qt about 100 or so feeders then drop them in. To me at least, it doesn't feel much different.

...to Tim Taylor quote someone else in a previous thread much like this one: "Why keep predators, if you don't plan on letting them be predators?" Feeding large predators a pellet only diet is against their natural instincts; hence pellet traing vs the fish happily accepting pellets right off the bat.
I'm not saying to feed your fish only feeders, etc. Not only would it be an expensive pita but because of the aquarium environment they wouldn't be getting all of the other things they need (vitamins etc) in their diet; hence, needing to get your pets on a good quality staple diet.

To answer the original question: nah, I don't think its wrong, as long as the feeders are intended for our aquatic friends and could possibly be in their natural diet.
one thing though, if you have a predator comm then if you keep feeding feeders then those instincts will really show, meaning aggression will be increased, particularly with snakeheads.if your gonna use live, then atleast try and make it as ethical as possible, and those need to be quarantined.
 
I'm quite sure that you're talking about this berry1
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?550201-Live-feeding-as-a-crime


I know your point really is true, what's the difference between a cockroach and a fish when you offer it to the fish? Well really, there's a lot. :grinyes:
But I on the other hand, I go with 50% live food/50% pellets (still prepared than mine), so I would know what's the effect of both, well I won't walk about which is better or not but go with the OP's thread.

Technically if your State says that it's illegal to feed feeder fish to your fish, then it's wrong, why? Because it's illegal, but even so, I can't see the basis for it really... ( don't support this one! civil disobedience for this case!) :nilly:kidding.

second, if you just got it from sources which can be a breeding grounds for pathogens, parasites, or anything harmful, quarantine procedures must be followed also, catering the feeder fish as a real pet is priceless, just imagine that they're your food then you just let them be without even giving them the right care for them to be more delicious. Yum yum.

third, it's wrong if it's really for your entertainment only, I mean you would like to see a school of RBP ripping out a large catfish leading your tank dyed in red. UGh ugh... that's totally creepy. But still it's my opinion as well. :chillpill:


From what ive heard its illegal to cause unnecessary suffering to a animal this included feeding a live animal to another animal but from what i gather if the animal thats being fed needs the live supply of food then it is not illegal. For example that pfk link on the link you posted states that feeding of live prey over here is not strictly prohibited although causing unnecessary suffering to a living creature is. So from this i take it to only feed live food that the predator can consume in one bite so removing any unnecessary suffering like seeing a large catfish getting ripped apart by a shoal of RBPs.

A lfs was selling feeder goldfish a couple of years a go so the law over here is either not enforced or is like i said :)

But in my opinion their is right and wrong then legal and illegal in our corrupt societies this does generally mean two different things lol. But as i said this is my opinion and others may disagree widely as i generally couldn't care less if something was illegal lol.

My fish get live maby twice a week because its expensive the rest is pellets and frozen foods such as prawns and bloodworms. I quarantine for 2 weeks not enough really :( which is why i plan to start a breeding project with livebearers and convicts. Dont agree with unnecessary suffering to fish though i prefer to use live food that they can consume in one whole bite.


I have nothing against predators being predators, just how people abuse that ability. I feel that those ' hard core' predator keepers should try an eco system tank, planting it heavily and building up an ecosystem, resulting in an ethical environment for feeders. I am 100% against feeders being suddenly dumped into a bare bottom tank with half a dozen tiger fish with no where to escape, that is when it becomes cruel and sick.

I see what you mean but one way or another they are going to end up getting eaten so maby best they get eaten sooner than getting chased by a predator for hours, just a thought, must be quite stressful getting chased.
 
feeder fish are sold to be fed to other fish its basicly the purpose of their life. you will only understand when you actually keep a fish that is big enough to eat a feeder. its more about watching your fish hunt. it is entertaining to watch. I do feel bad for the goldfish though but I get over it fairly quickly
This is exactly a scenario where you shouldn't use feeders. It isn't the purpose of their life, just what we want it to be. every fish can be a feeder. Feeders aren't for entertainment, they are supposed to be used as a nutritional source of food. if your using feeders purely for entertainment then stop.

Hey just to clear things out Pole, I'm not really debating, I'm just assessing, and expounding ideas that is being presented. I'm not one of your flamerssssss, don't worry. :chillpill:

Captive breeding perhaps maybe a good way to go with it but not anyone can have a access to it, also if so, it'll be expensive as per buy basis compare to pellets.
but still I'm one of those guys who raise and make pellets out of my live feeders you see, I'd say if you got access to it, you don't need to buy any food for your wetbuddies...
I have nothing against ethical use of feeders, as long as its not for entertainment but for nutrition of fish, but of course you can enjoy it a bit.
 
From what ive heard its illegal to cause unnecessary suffering to a animal this included feeding a live animal to another animal but from what i gather if the animal thats being fed needs the live supply of food then it is not illegal. For example that pfk link on the link you posted states that feeding of live prey over here is not strictly prohibited although causing unnecessary suffering to a living creature is. So from this i take it to only feed live food that the predator can consume in one bite so removing any unnecessary suffering like seeing a large catfish getting ripped apart by a shoal of RBPs.

A lfs was selling feeder goldfish a couple of years a go so the law over here is either not enforced or is like i said :)

But in my opinion their is right and wrong then legal and illegal in our corrupt societies this does generally mean two different things lol. But as i said this is my opinion and others may disagree widely as i generally couldn't care less if something was illegal lol.

My fish get live maby twice a week because its expensive the rest is pellets and frozen foods such as prawns and bloodworms. I quarantine for 2 weeks not enough really :( which is why i plan to start a breeding project with livebearers and convicts. Dont agree with unnecessary suffering to fish though i prefer to use live food that they can consume in one whole bite.




I see what you mean but one way or another they are going to end up getting eaten so maby best they get eaten sooner than getting chased by a predator for hours, just a thought, must be quite stressful getting chased.
but an ecosystem could be a loophole through the law.
 
one thing though, if you have a predator comm then if you keep feeding feeders then those instincts will really show, meaning aggression will be increased, particularly with snakeheads.if your gonna use live, then atleast try and make it as ethical as possible, and those need to be quarantined.

What predators do you have experience with? Since you speak of instinct and aggression.




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This is exactly a scenario where you shouldn't use feeders. It isn't the purpose of their life, just what we want it to be. every fish can be a feeder. Feeders aren't for entertainment, they are supposed to be used as a nutritional source of food. if your using feeders purely for entertainment then stop.

I have nothing against ethical use of feeders, as long as its not for entertainment but for nutrition of fish, but of course you can enjoy it a bit.

ill do whatever I want thank you very much. I only use feeders probly twice a year. even people who need to use feeders I imagine find it a bit entertaining to watch there fish hunt them down. this is reality. why do you think videos of piranhas and other predators eating fish on youtube have so many views?
 
quality pellet best thing for your fish, every thing else a treat. live feeders really not necessary and opening your fish to decease, plenty of nightcrawlers, meal worm, crickets for treats. sorry no cock roaches in this house, nasty dirty bugs. you only need to drop the container once and boom, your house is infested..
 
ill do whatever I want thank you very much. I only use feeders probly twice a year. even people who need to use feeders I imagine find it a bit entertaining to watch there fish hunt them down. this is reality. why do you think videos of piranhas and other predators eating fish on youtube have so many views?
I never said you cant enjoy it, and try reading through those comments. im against feeders purely for entertainment.
 
but an ecosystem could be a loophole through the law.

That is true on the feeders life subject unfortunately for the feeders that is the life outcome they will have especially in the feeder tanks seen in a lot of lfs across the world. If you dont use the feeders out of them tanks someone else will and they will end up the same way. If your breeding fish then its a different story though.

ill do whatever I want thank you very much. I only use feeders probly twice a year. even people who need to use feeders I imagine find it a bit entertaining to watch there fish hunt them down. this is reality. why do you think videos of piranhas and other predators eating fish on youtube have so many views?

Its good to see a fish showing its natural behavior and a predator showing its hunting instinct killing prey is good to watch because its all a part of the predator fish your keeping :) But i wouldn't feed them to a fish that wouldn't naturally hunt and kill its meals :)
 
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