Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Couple of questions: Snakes are baby northern water
1.What are your opinions on goldfish as a staple diet?
2.I have been keeping my feeders in with my pet goldfish. I add chemicals to this tank to de-chlorinate and to clear the water. I think one also adds a slime to protect the fish skin. Anyway. Are these chems safe to be feeding to my snakes?
I have plenty of herp experience. But have never fed fish before.
Thanks.
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International Snakes Meetup

goldfish make a great once in a while thing, but they contain high levels of thiaminase which is a protein chain that attacks thiamin, needed to synthesize vitamin b I believe. The result could be a snake with vitamin b deficiency causing it to die prematurely. If you search the (old) garter forum in particular you can find some great links that tell what fish are safe and what fish contain high levels of thiaminase. You could also try to get your snake on to mice and feed fish only once a month or so. All of my Nerodia are pretty much trained to eat what I give them regardless of what it is. Andy
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Andy Maddox
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

So, any advice on switching to mice. I've tried but to no avail. I have two very small babies and two adults. I tried dropping a live mouse into the water for the adults but they were not interested. However their feeding responce is strong and good with fish. I've thought about scenting but it seems to be more of a certain type of motion rather than a smell. Thanks

"I want you to scrape me from the walls and go crazy like you made me."
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International Snakes Meetup

What I did was trained my snakes to only eat when I place them in the water bowl. If I would pick them up and get them in the water bowl, they would realize it is time to eat. This way anything that is placed in is considered food. Smell does work, but they are also sight oriented. I have never used live mice...only f/t. What you could do is giving a few small fish first to get them in "feeding mode" and then try a small mouse. I just use tongs to swish it around, sometimes gently tapping their tail just like a fish might. Andy
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Andy Maddox
Houston Herp Key
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains