In need of a good feeder gold fish breeder...
- Thread starter Lucas
- Start date
hmm. do you want to make money or do you want your customers to have healthy fish? feeder goldfish aren't known for being healthy. since they are "just" feeders, they aren't taken care of very well from the start, and often carry diseases which can be passed on to the fish that eat them. plus they really aren't very nutritious because they can be fatty. maybe you can set up a big tank in your store, and breed your own guppies or mollies to sell as feeders. they're less fatty b/c they're tropical, and if you breed them yourself (and know what you're doing) they will be healthier and you'll have a variety of sizes for customers to choose from. a big oscar might enjoy adult guppies, but those fry are a nice treat for smaller fish. you could also sell prettier adults as pet fish in a separate tank.
Another thing to think about is shiners. I feed them to my snapper because they're much healthier than goldfish, but they're hard to find, esp now that its getting colder. There's a gap between regular fishing season and ice fishing season when the bait stores don't have them, but it would be so much more convenient if I could buy them at the pet store instead of making extra trips to the bait store.
I have to agree breeeding guppies or mollies to use as feeder would probably be much more cost effective and ensure your not selling feeders that may have any disease.
reignman40 said:
I have a friend that has close to 100 tanks (personal tanks) He used to buy feeders, but wanted to ensure the safety and health of his tanks. He now breeds guppies, mollies, and platties.. That gets him all sizes of healthy feeder fish. It just depends on what you want to do. Just remember to keep the gene pool going. Hope that helps.
you can always ask another local petshop where they get theres from. maybe theres a petco or petsmart near you and you can ask the manager for contact info for their feeders.
im sorry guys but ive never went into a pet store and seen "feeder mollies" how would you even keep up with the demand of customers with feeder mollies? theres no way you can stock thousands of them. and im sure the cost would be higher too, which would make customers go elsewhere.
im sure once you stock your store and find more resources it will be quite easy to purchase feeder goldfish by the thousands wholesale
ya gotta think logically here
im sorry guys but ive never went into a pet store and seen "feeder mollies" how would you even keep up with the demand of customers with feeder mollies? theres no way you can stock thousands of them. and im sure the cost would be higher too, which would make customers go elsewhere.
im sure once you stock your store and find more resources it will be quite easy to purchase feeder goldfish by the thousands wholesale
ya gotta think logically here
Goldfish are not a good feeder source, for a number of reasons. Nutritionally they suck, and a whole host of health issues associated with them.
As others have said, really think about raising your own feeders if possible, Mollies are a good option as they get on the larger side and they are prolific. Convicts are also another good option for using to raise feeders.
IF you are set on buying feeders, when you do look for a good source that sells Rosey barbs as feeders, MUCH more nutrition out of them.
In the northeast the only two wholesalers I know of is Chungs Fish Place and Fish Mart Inc.
There are a bunch in Chicago, I don't know any names, other than that not sure how close I know of any to you.
As others have said, really think about raising your own feeders if possible, Mollies are a good option as they get on the larger side and they are prolific. Convicts are also another good option for using to raise feeders.
IF you are set on buying feeders, when you do look for a good source that sells Rosey barbs as feeders, MUCH more nutrition out of them.
In the northeast the only two wholesalers I know of is Chungs Fish Place and Fish Mart Inc.
There are a bunch in Chicago, I don't know any names, other than that not sure how close I know of any to you.
i completely agree. feeder fish arent healthy enough to be used as a food source to anything, fish, turtles etc. but this wasnt the question, the question was where they can find feeder fish. the average person does not know that feeder fish are loaded with troubles, not many people come to these boards. i know my local petco sells out of feeders a few times a week. i would imagine that over a hundred people are buying these feeders per week. they are in demand, they always have been and they always will. i had an african side neck turtle for 21 years fed only on feeder goldfish her entire life with me, she refused any other food. she was estimated at around 50 years old when she died, was she healthy? well she must have been since she lived longer than some people. did i try and feed her healthier foods? you bet, but when an animal would rather starve than eat what is offered, well then you must give them what they want. and im sure alot of pet owners have reptiles, fish etc that will only eat live fish, fish that are readily available, feeder goldfish
the debate can go on, and remember i agree, but this wasnt what the person asked
the debate can go on, and remember i agree, but this wasnt what the person asked
Feeders can be good food, if they are good feeders 
Check with a local bait shop for a minnow supplier.
Or as several have said, grow your own. Get a couple of minimal 55gal setups going and throw a few male and a few dozen femal guppies in there and wait a few weeks.
Check with a local bait shop for a minnow supplier.
Or as several have said, grow your own. Get a couple of minimal 55gal setups going and throw a few male and a few dozen femal guppies in there and wait a few weeks.