To start off, Thiaminase is an enzyme that assists in the breakdown of Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1. Thiamine is a crucial part of a fish's diet, and helps in the conversion from carbohydrates into glucose, which helps (in this case) a fish build up weight, bulk, body mass, etc.
Thiaminase helps lead to Thiamine deficiencies, which can have many negative affects. It has been shown to cause fish to be skittish, jumpy, or overall anxious. It sometimes also leads to poor growth and hemorrhaging, which, obviously, no one wants in their fish.
The feeding of fish rich in Thiaminase has been discussed alot recently on this forum. Many people don't really care whether or not they feed fish rich in Thiaminase, while others insist on avoiding it completely.
What many don't know is that Thiaminase is present in very many foods we feed our fish, not only live feeders. For example, frozen fish containing high volumes of Thiaminase will destroy the Thiamine, or Vitamin B1, in the fish over time, as Thiaminase cannot be destroyed by freezing, only by heating. A full list of fish, invertabrates, etc. containing high levels of Thiaminase, as well as fish without Thiaminase can be found at http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_6/volume_6_1/thiaminase.htm
Sources: Wetwebmedia, American Society for Nutrition, wiki, Austin's Turtle Page
I don't claim to be an expert of any type, but in my opinion, in a captive setting, Thiaminase should be avoided as much as possible.
What do you think?
How important do you think it is to avoid the feeding of Thiaminase rich foods?
Any suggestions as to how to counteract the effects of Thiaminase?
Discuss...
Thiaminase helps lead to Thiamine deficiencies, which can have many negative affects. It has been shown to cause fish to be skittish, jumpy, or overall anxious. It sometimes also leads to poor growth and hemorrhaging, which, obviously, no one wants in their fish.
The feeding of fish rich in Thiaminase has been discussed alot recently on this forum. Many people don't really care whether or not they feed fish rich in Thiaminase, while others insist on avoiding it completely.
What many don't know is that Thiaminase is present in very many foods we feed our fish, not only live feeders. For example, frozen fish containing high volumes of Thiaminase will destroy the Thiamine, or Vitamin B1, in the fish over time, as Thiaminase cannot be destroyed by freezing, only by heating. A full list of fish, invertabrates, etc. containing high levels of Thiaminase, as well as fish without Thiaminase can be found at http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_6/volume_6_1/thiaminase.htm
Sources: Wetwebmedia, American Society for Nutrition, wiki, Austin's Turtle Page
I don't claim to be an expert of any type, but in my opinion, in a captive setting, Thiaminase should be avoided as much as possible.
What do you think?
How important do you think it is to avoid the feeding of Thiaminase rich foods?
Any suggestions as to how to counteract the effects of Thiaminase?
Discuss...
Sorry. 