Feeding and Nutrition :: Tuna vs. Live Prey

[kimberly183]

I wrote on the intro page that I am new here, and new to turtle kingdom, so if anyone could help . . .

Our cats and our turtles share a love of tuna. Tuna has been an excellent enticement food for our turtles!

But, here's my dilemma: much as we love the little guys, I have trouble buying feeder anything to give them. I know, it's crazy, but I have been an ethical vegetarian for 27 years. I do eat a little fish here and there, but usually the canned variety - which is why we have tuna around.

And, here's my question: Is it okay to continue to give them tuna instead of live critters? I can deal with "food" easier if I can't look it in the eye!

Thank you any and everyone who takes a moment to read and reply!

Kimberly

[Starchick]

It doesn't really matter which you feed, so long as you don't overdo it. Too much protein isn't good for them. I don't give feeders because I worry about parasites, so if I'm having a tuna sandwich I'll give them a little shred once in a while. Neither is really necessary, it's more for a treat.

[kimberly183]

Thank you for this info and for the prompty reply! They are young (just around a year), so I thought protein was a biggie but was concerned about the saline content in tuna. Didn't think about parasites in feeders . . . nice to know! And, well heeded advice, too!

[N4784N R4613]

They should be getting plenty of protein from there commercial pellets.

[kimberly183]

Thanks, N478, but they are hardly eating their pellets, which is why we tried enticing them with tuna. We were concerned because they are young . . . it worked! This site has been invaluable to help with tips like that!

[N4784N R4613]

Maybe a different brand of pellet will taste better to them.

[kimberly183]

I am just giving them what they had been eating for a year and got with them from their previous owner . . . ReptoMin. It's almost gone so maybe fresher will help.

We just got them Sunday - I am sure that has more to do with it than anything! But thanks!

[Starchick]

Yeah, if the jar is that old you'll be shocked at the difference in smell when you get a new one. Even though it's not the most cost effective, I buy a relatively small jar at a time so that it's always reasonably fresh.

And you're right that the stress of being moved might have something to do with them not being enthused over eating right away, that's not uncommon.

If you can find Mazuri, it's one of the highest quality commercial diets available, and people say that turtles love it.

[kimberly183]

Thank you for the tips and pointers! I am also, until I can get out this weekend, going to do the site's suggestion and "soak" the pellets in tuna water. At least, that way, they will also realize I give good stuff

[industrial_girl_2000]

Feeder fish aren't necessary for turtles. I don't bother buying them for my Adult RES because she doesn't even pay attention to them anyway (they aren't worth her effort...she's just extremely lazy).

I buy feeders for my Aquatic frog only because they help clean up the excess food bits. I have had an issue in the past (once in a while) getting small planaria worms in the tank if the fish aren't there to clean up the food. Can the frog eat the fish? Yes, but many times he doesn't even bother to hunt them. 1/2 dozen feeder guppies last for a year with my frog. Honestly.

[Bascomb]

kimberly183 You can feed them feeder fish if you freeze them first. Lay them out on a piece of wax paper in the freezer for at least over night. I feed mine about 1 per week along with pellets and they do fine. The feeder has a good supply of calcium and other vitamins that they do not get with the pellets.

[kimberly183]

Well, I surprised myself and tried a few live ones! (I had my husband put them in) I hated to see the rosey red minnows go through it, but luckily, with my little hogs, they didn't feel a thing.

(Ever hear of the movie "Gone in 60 Seconds"? Yeah, something like that!)

I thought it was pretty stimulating for them - more exciting then slogging to the top and munching. I probably won't do it very often, but since they just came home, they weren't really eating yet. I was trying the enticement foods - tuna, poached egg whites, minnows - recommended on this site. All three are huge winners! Oh, and now that we know the smaller one is a female, we changed her name to Sara. She actually grabbed a piece of the egg white out of my hand before I could drop it in the water! Her shyness is quickly going away. They really are a delight.

Thanks for your input!

[kimberly183]

PS, Industrial Girl . . . I am from Royal Oak, MI. We are here in Cinci while my husband does his surgical residency. When we move back up in 2009, we'll have to set up a turtle play date!

[mikee]

Kimberly - Bascomb is correct in freezing your feeder fish first. I kills any parasite that may be present. Feeding a raw fish gives them some of the things that you just don't get in turtle food. I feed mine one fish to each turtle at least once a week. It seems to taste so good to them.

[kimberly183]

I still have an issue with feeding them food with a face! Now that they are eating in general, and especially more veggies (they're young) along with their pellets, I don't know if we need minnows. Maybe we will get them a few for Christmas (my husband will still have to be the one to drop them in . . .)!!