Some of the species used as feeder fish ( goldfish and rosy red minnows) contain high quantities of thiaminase, an enzyme that destroys thiamine (vitamin B 1) and when fed in large quantities can cause nutritional imbalances. Most predatory species that eat live fish can also be weaned onto dead alternatives. Especially whitespot and velvet which is easy to spread between feeder fish if kept in an overcrowded tank. Feeder fish can, over time, expose predatory fish to skin and gill lice, parasitic intestinal worms, neonatal tetra illness, and a wide range of opportunistic parasites, germs, and viruses. ![]() The inexpensive fish that are most likely to be used as feeders have almost always been reared extensively, which means they have been exposed to various pathogens. The primary drawback of feeding live fish is the possibility of contaminating the aquarium with bacteria and parasites. Some animal keepers enjoy watching the hunting and eating techniques involved when predation occurs.ĭisadvantages of using feeder fish Other animal keepers believe that feeder fish are particularly nutritious, being what one would expect their pets would eat in the wild some others view feeder fish as a stimulating treat that encourages predatory animals to exercise their natural hunting behaviours. In some cases, species of predatory animals, typically large fish such as catfish and cichlids, but sometimes also animals such as freshwater turtles, are provided with feeder fish, because they accept them more readily than alternatives. This makes it easy for fish farmers, retailers, and hobbyists to maintain large populations of these fish that can be sold at a much more affordable price than the more ornamental fish that require better conditions. Typically, these species are tolerant of overcrowding and have a high fecundity and rapid growth rate. ![]() The species of fish usually sold as feeder fish are invariably some of the easiest fish for fishkeepers to rear and breed, such as common goldfish, guppies and fathead minnow. ![]() oscars, gar, grouper and rays), turtles, crocodilians and other piscivores that naturally hunt in fresh, brackish or salt water ecosystems ( zoo animals such as grizzlies, water snakes, cetaceans, pinnipeds and penguins). aquarium sharks, farmed salmon and tuna) or carnivorous aquarium fish (e.g. Guppies are a common example of feeder fishįeeder fish is the common name for certain types of small, inexpensive fish commonly fed as live food to other captive animals such as predatory fishes (e.g.
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