feeder fish.

[mareebapython]

i guess water dragons would eat fish in the wild so i was thinking about getting some feeder fish. just wanted to make sure its okay to feed them to it first?
cheers.

 

[Xanthine]

Any common fish should be fine, but don't feed goldfish! They're quite high in fat, and also thiaminase, which they release when they stress out (ie being attacked), and it makes them deficient in thiamine, vitamin B1.

 

[mareebapython]

Any common fish should be fine, but don't feed goldfish! They're quite high in fat, and also thiaminase, which they release when they stress out (ie being attacked), and it makes them deficient in thiamine, vitamin B1.

so guppies will be fine then? and how often should they be fed to it?

 

[geckodan]

Most low end, benthic feeding, freshwater fish (Carps, minnows, eel) contain thiaminases. They are not released in the live fish (as this would disadvantage the fish too). The chemical released in the stressed live fish is called a Schreckstoff chemical and warns other fish of danger but has no physiological effect on the predator. Thiaminases are released as a result of an unfortunate (for frozen fish users) chemical reaction after the fish is frozen and thawed. So fed fresh these fish are perfectly safe. Most readily available feeder fish are quite ok to use. One trick if feeding them fresh killed is to smear the bottom of the feed bowl with a dab of vaseline or vege oil so that the drying fish doesn't stick to the bowl in the heat of the enclosure.

 

[someday]

was thinking of doing the same thing last week but had 2nd thoughts if he didnt take the fish then id have to keep it..but i would like to see him running around chasing 1, i had fun watching him chase a fly for 10mins till he cornered it.

 

[dozerman]

Geckodan if your books are as informative as your post I will buy the lot

Does the same apply for crustaceans eg. yabbies

 

[geckodan]

Geckodan if your books are as informative as your post I will buy the lot

Does the same apply for crustaceans eg. yabbies

That's the short answer version.
Crustacean do not contain thiaminases so they are no risk. If you intend to feed quantities of thawed fish then its simple enough to compensate by adding "seabird tablets" (google them) into the abdomen of the fish to compensate.

 

[Justdragons]

I get a large sisteema tub with no lid and put 5 or 6 fish in it for them.. its bloody hilarious to watch them work out that just cause they can see through the side doesnt mean they can get through it.. but 9 times out of ten it ends in fish meal for em

 

[GeckoJosh]

Most low end, benthic feeding, freshwater fish (Carps, minnows, eel) contain thiaminases. They are not released in the live fish (as this would disadvantage the fish too). The chemical released in the stressed live fish is called a Schreckstoff chemical and warns other fish of danger but has no physiological effect on the predator. Thiaminases are released as a result of an unfortunate (for frozen fish users) chemical reaction after the fish is frozen and thawed. So fed fresh these fish are perfectly safe. Most readily available feeder fish are quite ok to use. One trick if feeding them fresh killed is to smear the bottom of the feed bowl with a dab of vaseline or vege oil so that the drying fish doesn't stick to the bowl in the heat of the enclosure.

Thanks for clarifying this, I have been so paranoid about feeding Goldfish and Koi to my Tree snakes since hearing they may contain thiaminases.