Wild-caught feeders...

[dragonsong]

I've been seeing a bunch of posts where people mention feeding wild-caught fish like minnows, sunfish, and suckerfish to their cats. I'm just wondering, is this really safe? What kind of treatment/disinfection would the feeders need to be put through? Or is it overall just a bad idea?

There are 2 ponds and one very large river near my house where there are an abundance of fish I could use as feeders for my tiger oscar along with the two tsns I'm planning on getting this April, so it would be nice to know if I can save some $$.

 

[MeiTnerium109]

It would work until a fish you caught was inflicted with a disease incurable by store-bought product, but I wouldn't be feeding an Oscar feeders anyway.

 

[Noto]

There is a risk of harming your fish with toxins, pathogens, or parasites from wild-caught feeders, but it is similar to the risk from store-bought feeders. Take the same precautions with either, and avoid fish that are clearly sick/infested or from waters that are known to be badly polluted (check for consumption advisories issued by your state fish and game agency).

I suggest treating any potential feeders with Jungle Labs Parasite Clear and Maracyn. These will clear up most common pests, like anchor worm, white grub, and various topical infections. If you want to be sure your feeders are clean, raise them yourself; otherwise it's always a gamble.

 

[sbuse]

i never had any problems feeding sunfish and minnows that i caught...they are better then store bought feeders as they have more nutriant value...this is cause they are a part of the natural food chain...check them for signs of illness and qt them...they are the best price and you can get lots at that price...why feed other foods to a large predator that in the wild eats wild fish anyway...feeding carnivor fish other products may have a bad effect we have yet to see...fish eaters are just that fish eaters not pellet eaters...