Feeding and Nutrition :: Live fish for turtles

[tennisnut]

My turtles are about 2 (Shell) and 3 inches (Pebbles). I am thinking about getting some guppies or something for them to feed on once in a while.

I have read a lot about disease and bacteria in feederfish, and so I am concerned about feeding something potentially harmful.

So, this brings up the questions:

1) What are the best live food to feed them with? How big should the feeders be?
2) How do I make sure that they are safe to feed?
3) Where is the best place to get these fish?
4) I have a open water filter (one of those things that you stick in and there are slits directly on it that suck in the water. They are not covered in any way). Would I have to worry about the feeder fish getting sucked in and dying?

Thanks so much!

[ZombieTurtle]

1) best feeder fish are rosy red minnows. should be small if your turtle is small.
2) ?
3) i would say a store
4) probably not but it could be a possiblity depending on how powerful the filter is. but i would say it probably wouldnt.

[tennisnut]

Oh, to clarify my question. How do I make sure the minnows don't have nasty bacteria and disease in them? Is there any way I can "decontaminate" them, or am I being too cautious?

Also, the reason I ask about where to get them is because I have heard that at pet stores the fish are not as good because they are mass-bred and something about containing a vitamin that's not so good for the turtles. Would any pet store be ok?

Thanks!

[SpotsMama]

You are right that sometimes feeder fish (and aquatic plants too) can carry parasites or worms. It helps minimize the risk to not put the water from the pet store into your aquarium when you introduce the fish - instead, net the fish out of their container then put them in the aquarium. For plants, rinse them very well in tap water before putting them in your aquarium.

You don't have to feed live fish or anything else live to your turtles if you're concerned about the risk. It's strictly a matter of choice. Some turtles seem to like live prey but some - like my turtle - are indifferent.

I hadn't heard anything about a vitamin in feeder fish that isn't good for turtles.

On what pet store, definitely I wouldn't buy fish from a store where the water didn't look clean or where there were a bunch of dead fish in the tank.