Who uses feeder goldfish and why?

[Kagh't]

So, yeh, coming from the UK where feeding live fish in practically non-existant except in really tricky oddballs, i do feel slightly curious as to why is there such a big trade in feeder goldfish.

So, after (or before) ticking the poll, please post your stance.

(and for those who need a reason, how about it's a good study into cross cultural differences in an already very centralised fishkeeping culture?)

 

[aquariumfishguy]

I don't think Comet Goldfish are really rare in the UK, and I'm sure people use them over there as well but if your interested in input on these fish, read the other thread in this forum regarding "feeder fish".

 

[PumaWard]

Pet shop bought feeders are not treated or fed as though they are of importence making them have a low nutritional diet and passing on that low nutrition to those that will eat them.

They also carry any number of diseases which I would not want passed on to fish which are of importance to me.

I will feed my jaguar cichlid guppies that have been raised in my tanks and I feed my N. leleupi baby convicts if I can't get them to eat dry foods.

Feeding live fish also tends to make the fish they are fed to more aggressive; this can make things difficult later on.

 

[aquariumfishguy]

Feeding live fish also tends to make the fish they are fed to more aggressive; this can make things difficult later on.

...this is a VERY good point. I have some buddies who had this problem with some cichlids.

 

[SayersWeb]

PumaWard hit it 100%! I have huge cishlids and have never fed them live food. Why take the risk and expense and then have to do extra tank clean-ups to compensate for the added mess?

 

[Gulp]

Gulp gets them every once in a while, but no more than once per month. I inspect the fish before putting them in and I have never had a problem on any of the fish I have been doing this with for the past several years. Why do I do this? Because he seems to enjoy the hunt, no other reason.

Since he is by himself, I am not too worried about the potential "extra aggressiveness".......I don't have small children that will jump in and swim with him anytime soon.

 

[aquariumfishguy]

Obviously if a fish looks diseased your not going to buy it but often times the diseases that can be brought into your tank aren't visiable ones.

 

[Gulp]

If it happens, it happens....... It hasn't in 5+ years. I could catch a disease from eating at a buffet at some Ryan's steakhouse, or walking through the mall, or eating at some McDonald's with a 90 on their cleanliness scorecard.......does it stop me from eating there? Is the food always healthy? Nope.......but I enjoy it.


EDIT: I do NOT feed them to Gulp on a regular basis and they are in no way part of his appropriate diet.

 

[OrionGirl]

I don't use feeders because theyy failtot provide the nutritional value needed by most fish. Feeder goldies are not close to the natural food source for any aquarium fish, and predator given primarily feeders are prone to malnutrition--not a happy thing. Of course, most of my predators are SW, and the goldies are even less appropriate for them.

 

[Slappy*McFish]

Crickets are the perfect alternative to live goldfish. Especially if you gut-pack(feed) the crickets beforehand with fish flakes.