I have an Oscar and a Jack Dempsey that are huge. They are always hungry. I found some earth worms on the pavement last summer and dropped them in the tank and they loved them! Is it ok to feed these to them?
2007-01-26 04:52:11 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
If I were you, I wouldn't give my fish anything that I found on the ground. You don't know what kind of diseases they may have and they could really dirty up your tank. You can give certain kinds of worms to fish- just go to your local pet store and they should have them there.
Hint: all healthy fish are always hungry. Feed in moderation, they don't need huge meals. Obviously, the bigger they are, the more food they need, just don't go overboard.
2007-01-26 05:02:07 · answer #1 · answered by Krimo 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Natural earthworms (or red worms, you know the smaller garden variety) are great for your fish. Oscars are "always" hungry anyway. Be careful where you get your worms. Lawn and garden centers usually have "natural" worms, which are good for your fish. Ask at the bait shops since most worms are given a growth hormone and fed chemicals (either to preserve them or turn them colors, yes green earthworms!).
Just be sure to ask. You don't want to add more chemicals to your tank.
2007-01-26 15:23:59 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most worms are fine. Earthworms are great for fish, but don't mistake them for red worms, which aren't very good for fish and are similar to earthworms in shape.
You can raise your own earthworms in a container of dirt & garbage leuttice for a cheap food source for piggy fish.
Backyard earthworms are great if you don't have a bunch of additives to the soil. Just spray some water, and a half hour later, you'll have some come up to the surface.
Also be sure to include some vegetable matter in your fish's diet. If you feed them only worms, they can get a digestive disorder from the high protein / low fiber.
2007-01-26 13:42:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yep its fine. I would rinse the worms off first. I also wouldn't feed them worms EVERY day, Just use as a treat.
2007-01-26 20:12:20 · answer #4 · answered by angelmwilson 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep, it's fine, just make sure that you get them from an area that doesn't have pesticides.
Oh, thought I'd add that a bait shop would be a good source for inexpensive, healthy worms.
Edit: Actually, Roger, yes. Have you compared a wild betta to a captive betta lately? They are both the same and they are both different. The environment in itself makes them different.
2007-01-26 12:57:34 · answer #5 · answered by Zoe 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
id be careful only because of the pesticide issue. if you want some other choices try crickets, smaller ones tho so you avoid the shell. but dont do this too often. have you tried blood worms or brine shrimp?
2007-01-26 12:59:55 · answer #6 · answered by Twilite 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would think it's ok...
Is there a difference in the genetics of the fish to determine indoor vs an outdoor fish? I thought they lived in water.
2007-01-26 13:01:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
you shouldn't feed them worms from outside because they could have diseases that will harm the fish. you can feed them blood worms from a petstore.
2007-01-26 13:16:39 · answer #8 · answered by Orange Range 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
id go with freeze dried bloodoworms or plankton or even some shrimp. my moms cichlids loooooooooove shrimp!!
2007-01-26 13:27:10 · answer #9 · answered by powneverforgotten 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋