Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, i've had my baby gator about 2 weeks now and everything has been great. He/she has eaten pinkies, crickets, and crappie minnows so far and yes I did start using Rep-cal multi vitamins and calcium. I do have a question about fish living in the tank. There are about 4 minnows that I put in there with the gator to kind of "clean up" after him. I have noticed that the fish eat the gator droppings. He doesn't chase them too much right now because I keep him well fed. I was wondering if the fish being in there will help or hurt anything? I was about to take them out when I noticed that they hang around the filter and eat anything solid that they can get. Would you leave them in or remove them? Thanks alot.

I'm unsure what species of minnows these might be, but I doubt it will harm anything. Typically, the fish brushing against his legs, etc will trigger feeding. If you have him in a decent sized enclosure, he will be able to relocate himself if he begins to get annoyed with the fish. Ample space provides more than just thermoregulation abilities. It also allows him to choose a place he feels least threatened, thus reducing stress.

During the hatchling stage, it's generally best to provide hiding spots, etc in the enclosure for it's security and to reduce stress.

Regards,

Chris

>>Hey, i've had my baby gator about 2 weeks now and everything has been great. He/she has eaten pinkies, crickets, and crappie minnows so far and yes I did start using Rep-cal multi vitamins and calcium. I do have a question about fish living in the tank. There are about 4 minnows that I put in there with the gator to kind of "clean up" after him. I have noticed that the fish eat the gator droppings. He doesn't chase them too much right now because I keep him well fed. I was wondering if the fish being in there will help or hurt anything? I was about to take them out when I noticed that they hang around the filter and eat anything solid that they can get. Would you leave them in or remove them? Thanks alot.
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They are called Tuffies. I got them from a bait shop. They cost like $1.20 a dozen. The gator has only eaten 2. I feed him mainly pinkies but he takes crickets and has eaten a few of them. I am trying to mix up his diet but I don't want to feed fish too often. Maybe once a week if that's not too much. He has plenty of room but the minnows hide behind the filter all the time anyway if he gets in the water the minnows won't go near him. Are you familiar with this species of fish?

These are the minnows i'm talking about.

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu8l2G0NIaHIAcshXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEyNjc2NWMzBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0Y4MjNfOTY-/SIG=11q3rafnu/EXP=1212443894/**http://www.fishpondinfo.com/rosies.htm

I doubt the will hurt anything I have a couple fish in my tank at all times... I was told though make sure you mix up his diet with other things besides pinkies and fuzzys and hoppers are better to eat less fat...
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Tom
1.2.0 Leopard Gecko (dot, spot, leo)
0.0.1 California King Snake (booboo)
0.1.0 Sulcata Tortoise (tank)
0.0.2 Russian Tortoise (tito and lulu)
0.0.2 Red Ear Sliders (bernie and ernie)
0.0.3 Painted Turtles (larry, curly and moe)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (marshmellow)
0.0.1 Savannah Monitor (beef)
1.0.0 Peachfront Conure (kermit)
0.1.0 Australian Shepheard (layla)
2.1.0 Crazy Cats (babe, sabastian, tinkerbell)
0.1.0 Lion Head Rabbit (daisy)
0.1.0 Ferret (jordan)
0.2.0 Guinea Pigs (lilly and petunia)
0.0.1 White Tree Frog (dumpy jr.)
0.0.2 Fire Belly Newts (spork and blaze)
0.0.1 Fire Belly Toad (ferdinan)
0.0.1 Red Spotted Newt ( red)
0.0.2 Bull Frogs (goliath and tubby)
0.0.1 Rainbow Ameive (jack)
0.0.1 Spectacled caiman (wilbert)
0.0.3 Green Anoles
1.0.0 Bahama Anole
0.0.1 Long Tail Grass Lizard
Lots Of Fish