Who feeds their monsters feeder fish? Minnows, goldfish, etc?

[Irecruitfish]

I understand they are not healthy per say but are you completely against it or once in a while is okay by you?

I'm curious because on many forums users will rip you a new one for feddife feeders. I fed my wolf fish a feeder for the first time (owned it for 8 months) and people started throwing online tantrums.

 

[DOOB]

Lol i breed jewel cichlids in one tank and mollies in another nust for the sole pupose of feeding the fry to my exodons. I also feed them bug bites and NLS tropical flakes. Mix it up a little so they dont get bored of their food

 

[piranhaman00]

The consensus seems to be that it is unnecessary to feed live foods as it poses risks to the health of the predator and causes the feeder to suffer. However there are definitely exceptions. For example, newly acquired young preds are usually difficult to get on prepared foods initially and they need to be fed, and fed a lot! So using feeders here is almost necessary. The feeders of course should always be quarantined and treated for any parasites, like posted above, breeding your own is ideal. Store bought feeder goldfish/minnows have a high probability of carrying something and are not very healthy for fish to consume anyway.

In my opinion, as long as your quarantining or breeding your own, feeders every once and a while is fine. Some even say it is healthy as it keeps the predatory drive alive. Prepared foods are almost surely better nutritionally wise for your fish however, but variety is key!

 

[DOOB]

Beleive fish that hunt for food in nature should once in a while hunt for food in an aquarium. It keeps the fish healthy and occupied IMO.

 

[GiantFishKeeper101]

Any of my fish that are smaller than 15", i feed em feeders. Mainly goldfish or Toxabramis sp. Bigger than that, I would train them to eat market fish or pellets.

Contradict to pellets, feeders give more growth to fish especially when juvenile. The only problem to it, the feeder's 'hype', they carry diseases and what not. But truly it is up to you.

For me, in my years of keeping fish, only happened once to my Piraiba Catfish. Managed to save him, he's already 2' on his first year.

 

[Rocksor]

What's the quarantine procedures on feeders?

 

[krichardson]

I used to catch and condition my own minnows to feed to some of my fish.I have pretty much discontinued the practice of using live feeders for a number of reasons.

 

[Irecruitfish]

What's the quarantine procedures on feeders?

Personally I add prazipro and quarantine them for at least 3 weeks. The diseased ones usually die right away and then I wait it out to see how things play out.

 

[dogofwar]

Much simpler, more nutrituous and safer than feeding live fish is to culture and feed live red wiggler worms. They're easy to culture (I have a rubbermaid composting bin in my garage), eat kitchen fruit, veggie and paper waste, are safe and reproduce quickly (especially in warm weather).

I sometimes feed fish but when I do they're usually extra fish that I've grown myself in my fishroom. Worms are much easier.

 

[Irecruitfish]

Much simpler, more nutrituous and safer than feeding live fish is to culture and feed live red wiggler worms. They're easy to culture (I have a rubbermaid composting bin in my garage), eat kitchen fruit, veggie and paper waste, are safe and reproduce quickly (especially in warm weather).

I sometimes feed fish but when I do they're usually extra fish that I've grown myself in my fishroom. Worms are much easier.

That's an excellent idea. Is there any maintenance required?