I am beginner fish caretaker (and lazy and busy and stupid). Thusly, I have not cleaned the tank in a while and two of my fish died (I think due to the uncleanliness). As I proceeded to scoop the dead fish from the tank, I realized that one of the dead fish was only HALF A DEAD FISH.
I know that fishfood is fish, but seeing this half of a dead fish grossed me out! So I was wondering, is there such a thing as vegeterian fish food, and if so where can I buy it? Or can I feed my fish lettuce or carrots or something?
Also, the two dead fish were stuck to this tube thing that goes down into the aquarium. What does this mean? Perhaps, as my mom said, they died and floated to the top, but the tube part suctioned them back down, where they stuck (and the other fish proceeded to make a meal out of the dead fish! *shudder*). The grossness of the fish carnivorism has almost turned me off of fish as pets altogether; I myself am a vegetarian, so I cannot relate to eating animals.
2007-09-30 18:17:30 · 9 answers · asked by writer_cb 3 in Pets ➔ Fish
Most fish are omnivores, so they eat both vegetable and animal matter. It's not so much a preference for them as conservation of matter and nutrients. If they don't eat other fish, insects, etc. that die, the nutrients will be lost as they decompose. This way, the nutrients go into their own growth.
Depending on what species of fish, and where it lives, the water may flow too quickly or be too cloudy/muddy for enough sunlight to support plant growth.
There are things you can feed your fish to give them added vegetable matter - most fish will eat cooked peas or lima beans with the skins removed, dark green leafy veggies, and slices of zucchini and cucumber. I've even seen them eating orange wedges and shredded carrots. The extra fiber in the plants is good for them, as many fish get constipated (really!) if they eat too much prepared foods. Unfortunately, there aren't many fish (freshwater, anyway) that are strictly herbivores, so they will need to have some prepared foods in their diet for the animal proteins. The best thing for them nutritionally is to give them a variety of foods, since most single veggies don't contain a complete group of amino acids, which as a vegetarian, you probably know.
2007-09-30 18:37:02 · answer #1 · answered by copperhead 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are quite a few plant based foods. However the type of fish you have will determine their dietary needs. Some fish require meat and plant based foods will not be correct. And yes, your mom was correct about how the fish got into the tube. You can float a small amout of lettuce or broccoli in the tank, just be sure to replace it every 12 hours or it will grow bacteria.
2007-09-30 18:27:22 · answer #2 · answered by Groomer Jan 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy vegetarian fish. So many humans feel they can force their animals to eat like them. Don't do it.
Always feed your fish a proper and healthy diet and most fish are omnivores, they will eat meat and plants.
I honestly think you should try another pet or not keep pets at all if keeping them clean and healthy is too hard for you. If you really care about animals maybe you should learn how to take proper care of them?
2007-09-30 22:42:14 · answer #3 · answered by Palor 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Basically, it's not about you, it's about proper nutrition for the fish. This goes for any other pet you own. You can't change their biological needs because you think it's gross.
Some fish are naturally vegetarian. Do some research and see which ones.
BUT!!
You need to feed the fish you have now appropriate food for that species. If not, they will get sick and die.
You can feed fresh food as supplements or "treats", but they need species appropriate food.
2007-09-30 18:26:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You wom't eat animals, but you'll put animals in such filthy conditions that they die, and then not remove their bodies immediately? Nice. Changing their diet wont stop them eating their fellow-neglected-beings. It's only natural for them to eat a dead fish in their midst, and if you find that nature discusting, then don't kill your fish or leave there bodies there long enough for the other fish to start feasting on them.
2007-09-30 18:29:21 · answer #5 · answered by Bianca 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. I am a vegetarian which means that I do not eat meat. Fish is a type of meat (fish, flesh and fowl).
2016-04-06 22:02:35 · answer #6 · answered by Michele 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many fish that only eat plant material. They also make food specifically for these fish.
The Trinidad Pleco is one of many different plecos.
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=984&N=0
Hikari Algae Wafers are a very good plant based food that plecos would love.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=4260&Ntt=herbivore%20fish%20food&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1
2007-09-30 20:47:01 · answer #7 · answered by R.E.S.C. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You wanting to be a vegatarian is one thing, but trying to push your beliefs onto animals? C'moooon, really?
As for your question, I don't know, sorry.
2007-09-30 18:28:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You could eat imitation crab meat, because it is not crab.
Or you could eat imitation lobster because it is not lobster.
2007-09-30 18:28:05 · answer #9 · answered by rollz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋