Anyone ever feed aphids to their fish?

iamgroovy

iamgroovy

Nature Lover
Jul 7, 2005
593
0
0
46
PA USA
The last few years I've had a terrible time with aphids and I just discovered another plant infested with them and I was preparing to get rid of them again and it dawned on me that perhaps I could get some satisfaction by feeding a few aphids to my fish. I have a betta in a 10g and guppies and cories in a 20g. Do you think it would ok to feed some aphids to them?


BTW I don't use any pesticides on any of my plants. Usually garlic and mild soap do the trick. This particular plant hasn't been treated with anything yet.
 
dont see why not
 
jm1212 said:
make sure they havent been feasting on something poisonous or something that was recently fertilized.
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Thank you! I haven't fed this plant in quite awhile and I'm pretty sure it's safe, however, I will look it up to make sure.
 
Well, I'm pretty sure this plant is a syngonium or arrowhead vine and I found this when I looked up it's toxicity:

The juice or sap of these plants contains oxalate crystals. These needle-shaped crystals can irritate the skin, mouth, tongue, and throat, resulting in throat swelling, breathing difficulties, burning pain, and stomach upset.

I'm not sure if ingesting aphids that are feeding on this plant would hurt my betta but I'm not going to take a chance.
I'll have to check the myriad plants in my yard and garden. Perhaps I can find some on my blackberries or raspberries for him...
 
Most plants are toxic, but not to everything that comes in contact with them. Sap from one particluar plant would effect a dog or cat negatively but would not necessarily have the same effect on a human or any other animal. My point is that just because your vine plant is said to be toxic, doesn't mean it will be toxic to a fish. I just wish it was made clear which organisms certain toxic plants effect. It is best to err on the side of caution though, and I think you're correct in foregoing the aphids as food for your fish. Start an aphid culture in a controlled environment, and then you'll know they will be safe to use as food.
 
saram521 said:
Most plants are toxic, but not to everything that comes in contact with them. Sap from one particluar plant would effect a dog or cat negatively but would not necessarily have the same effect on a human or any other animal. My point is that just because your vine plant is said to be toxic, doesn't mean it will be toxic to a fish. I just wish it was made clear which organisms certain toxic plants effect. It is best to err on the side of caution though, and I think you're correct in foregoing the aphids as food for your fish. Start an aphid culture in a controlled environment, and then you'll know they will be safe to use as food.
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I agree. Some aphids have wings also which could travel from plant to plant yard to yard and even if you dont use pesticides your neighbor might. I wouldnt risk it. I know I use to feed crickets that found there way into my bedroom to my Managuense but now with what I know I wouldnt.

Also some plants as stated by saram above are toxic to one animal and not to others and a good example would be with Avacado's. Those are some very tasty fruit to me and harmless but feed it to your pet bird and youll find him dead later that day or the next cuz there toxic to birds. Think same applies to dogs but in larger quanities of course.

Just a lil bit of my knowledge mixed with my $0.02.
 
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