This is a kind of debate going on between me and one of my friends and I was wondering if somebody could give me a scientific answer that had more of a base in truth. The fish in question is a Celestial Goldfish.
2007-03-17 15:12:40 · 10 answers · asked by Munabi 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
You bet they can! It's great for any omnivore or herbivore fishes. You no doubt have seen or heard lots of things about constipated fish, especially goldfish on here and all over the web. It can be a real problem for fish. Spinach is a good way to prevent constipation since it contains a reasonable amount of dietary fiber. Any dark green leafy veggie is good for this. Spinach, turnip greens, dark lettuce (not iceburg) even things like parsely. Next time your in the pet shop take a look around and odds are they sell a plastic clip on a suction cup made for feeding greens to fish. So feed away! It's good for them!
MM
2007-03-17 16:58:14 · answer #1 · answered by magicman116 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Great question! Let's see who actually provides you with some sources!
First, since the fish in question is at least an omnivore, it can't be eliminated by that criteria alone.
Second, if you're speaking in terms of feeding this as an only food, not a good idea for any animal to have to subsist on only one source of nutrition, unless they are evolutionarily designed to do so. Most foods are not complete proteins, and may be lacking in certain vitamins and minerals.
I'm assuming you're asking this from a nutritional standpoint?
Just looking at websites, I'm seeing answers both ways. But here's what I know (and can support from web sources).
3) From Aquarticles, a search for "spinach" turns up 15 articles, 14 of which appear to support or include spinach as a recipe for homemade fish foods. Article # 11 advises against it, saying it is lacking nutritionally: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/;_ylt=AhHwvmQ0vWU6ABXSM31sufrO7BR.?link=answer&.crumb=xGv2cnAsQ04&qid=20070317191240AA4hIjC&.done=http%253A%252F%252Fanswers.yahoo.com%252Fquestion%252Findex%253Fqid%253D20070317191240AA4hIjC The article also refers the reader to another website of the author's on nutritional compsition of various foods: http://www.frankmgreco.com/fruitveggieprofile.htm
One major component found in spinach, however is lacking in this article - oxalates. Oxalates are a compound found in spinach, rhubarb, parsley, beet tops, and several other plants: http://en.allexperts.com/e/s/sp/spinach.htm http://www.anapsid.org/iguana/cal_ox.html I'm familiar with spinach from keeping of reptiles as well. So I'm going to switch up some things here.
First, a bit about oxalates. Oxalates are a chelating agent, because they bind with other substances. High amounts of oxalates can lead to gout, kidney disease and death (why we don't eat anything but the stems of rhubarb). These have been called an "antinutrient", because they bind with metallic ions, some one of which is calcium. Calcium is necessary for bone formation, also for conduction of electrical impulses by the nervous system. Oxalates can make any dietary calcium unavailable for metabolism. (It's not absorbed). This can lead to bone softening and deformity.
On the other hand, calcium is high in other nutrients, including Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and folic acid.
Should spinach be eliminated from the diet because of this? No, because there are other nutrients present. It may be given, but infrequently. It should be alternated with other foods, if given. And blanching spinach (cooking for a few minutes, then cooling), or freezing it to break down the cell wall structure is recommended.
What will the effect of spinach of goldfish be? I can't say that I know of a scientific study that has come to any conclusions on this. For reptiles and amphibians, the link between oxalates, calcium, and UV lighting is better known - oxalates are one of the factors which inhibit proper calcium metabolism, leading to an increased possibily for development of metabolic bone disease (an osteoporosis-like condition), deformity, and death.
Enough for you?
2007-03-17 17:27:53 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Spirulina is in spinach it helps the fish digest it is a natural living enzyme. Take Romaine letuce or Spinach get a sea weed clip and put it in your tank I have a 1200 gallon salt tank and A school of yellow tangs DEVOUR it and most herbivores love it
2007-03-17 17:41:31 · answer #3 · answered by arty p 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Goldfish will eat just about anything, including spinach and romaine lettuce. Others dine on it as well, such as members of the plecostomus family.
2007-03-17 15:18:05 · answer #4 · answered by chaos_and_amber2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
spinach is great for goldfish scince it is high in fiber and calcium, but i would put it in the microwave for three seconds to break up some of the stringy fibers before putting it in the water for the fish, goldfish intestines are very delicate because of thier goofy body shape you want to be as gentle as possible with thier bellies
2007-03-17 15:50:09 · answer #5 · answered by drezdogge 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, but it should be blanched,(drop into boiling water for a few seconds,then cold water to stop the cooking.).Other plant material like squash requires more blanching time.
2007-03-17 17:44:08 · answer #6 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ya but not if u have a picky one like mine. Also you have to cut them into small pieces so they can fit into their mouths. if you want something your fish will love though give them moths or flies they always eat that and it keeps icky bugs out of your house. =]
2007-03-25 09:39:14 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes if you have gold fish they are vegetarians and it is good to supplement their diet with fresh veggies
2007-03-20 14:44:15 · answer #8 · answered by JENNIFER H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my purple tang eats spinach all the time.
2007-03-17 16:17:30 · answer #9 · answered by douglas R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes they can but do not get the salad kind or cook it...
2007-03-17 15:15:47 · answer #10 · answered by yo moma! 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋