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feeding feeder fish?

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:05 pm
by Pito007
If I put some minows in my tank, and my turtle dosnt eat it right away, when I feed the fish the next day, would it be ok if my turtle eats some fish food as well?

how long do feeder fish usally last before they get eaten?

PostPosted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 10:18 pm
by kgielda
I put 5 in my tank 2 weeks ago. The first week he didn't touch them, but since Saturday, he has eaten 4. So I think he figured it out. :) I was actually wondering if 4 fish in 5 days was too much for him-- if I should only put in 1 a week?

PS- I live in Jersey too... Mantua (Gloucester County)

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 12:54 pm
by Kallistos
It depens on the turtle Pito, there are some turtles that won't even go after the fish...ever. I've never fed my feeder fish, they usually get eaten quickly, or the scavenge around like my Pleco does, so I don't really know if feeding the feeder fish is necessary.

PostPosted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 9:07 pm
by Bascomb
A note of caution when feeding your turtles feeder fish. They are a good for a well balanced diet. However, some carry parasites. The best way to feed them feeder fish is to freeze them first. I would suggest that you freeze them over night to make sure that you have killed any of the parasites, Lay them out one by one in a piece of wax paper and feed them to your turtle later. They don't have to chase them and you can make sure which turtle is getting them. b.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 3:29 pm
by Pito007
If theyre frozen then my turtle wont get the exercise from chasing them.

PostPosted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:38 am
by FLhaven4strays
I don't give my feeder fish food...they scavange for scraps the turtles leave & do just fine.

PostPosted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:26 pm
by SpotsMama
Three minnows lived in Spot's tank for about a year and I never fed them. I feed Spot in his tank and the fish would get nibbles of his food and also cleaned up his waste after him. The minnows were nice and fat and healthy.

A few days ago the biggest minnow disappeared. I guess Spot finally ate him though I didn't see it happen. There were some silvery flakes on the bottom of the tank for awhile. It was kind of sad.

PostPosted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 4:48 pm
by Pito007
I feed my turtle in a seperate tank, but would feeder fish be able to feed on other stuff in the tank like algae or turtle poop?

PostPosted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 12:21 pm
by mikee
Pito007 -- Your point about excercise is well taken, however my main concern is the neutrition and keeping parasites away from my little critters. I mostly feed them pellets by hand and I make them swim for it. I am not sure how much excercise they need.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 7:14 pm
by N4784N R4613
If you have the recommended size tank, then they get plenty of exercise from just swimming. :)

PostPosted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 8:11 pm
by Pito007
I think my turtle gets enough exercise jumping of his basking platform to avoid me.

PostPosted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 10:43 pm
by Tenodera
I always feed my turtle in another tank so I feed my fish a little bit of fishflakes every other day.