General Care Discussion :: Cold night+Feeder Fish

[SpotsMama]

Little Tito just likes to be warm!

[Safdar]

Yes he does =)

Hey just a quick question
Should i put feeder fish in there?

Im was thinking of getting rosy red minnows

How many?
hes 1 1/2 inch

Thank you

[xsavingsaturdayx]

It would be 'okay' but just watch out for parasites. I kill mine and freeze them before feeding it to my turtles to avoid parasites..I guess i'm just too paranoid

If you are getting fish for him, be sure to get them from a nice, clean enviroment, meaning no dead fish in the tank, etc..also get guppies, since feeder fish (rosey reds) might be too big for him. I'd say about 6 guppies for tank would be fine.

[Safdar]

parasites!!!

what are the chances for that?

[xsavingsaturdayx]

i'd say 50/50, any live food has the potential for parasites. Turtles do not require live food and I dont feed live food because I believe it isnt neccesary, and I wouldnt want to cause pain to any creature if it isnt neccesary..plus it makes me feel better and 'safer' knowing that they have a lower risk of getting parasites (freezing the fish for about a week or two kills most parasites from what i've been told).

In the end it's up to the keeper. I am not against live feeding but I think there are safer ways of feeding stuff like fish, crickets, and worms. Again like I said, certain species absolutely need live food, and others like RES dont..but of course not every turtle is the same and if your turtle refuses dead food, then trying out live food would have to do as long as you get it from a clean enviroment. But most of our little ones wont ever pass on a meal

[Safdar]

your scaring me man

I wanna be him chase the little fishies
so hes more occupied during the day

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Sorry for scaring you, i didnt mean to..but I am telling you like it is and anyone on this forum would tell you that all live food has the potential to introduce parasites. A lot of keepers still offer live food but if they are smart they will get them from a clean enviroment like I said, or they would breed their own.

It's your choice.

[Safdar]

So putting live rosy reds in the tank will be like
Taking a risk with his health

[xsavingsaturdayx]

So putting live rosy reds in the tank will be like
Taking a risk with his health

Yes. However treating parasites is pretty easy as long as you go to a vet. But I have got the feeling that you are quite young and the problem with people that are young like you is that they sometimes get stuck in the "my turtle is sick, i do not have money and my parents wont let me take it to a vet" situation and I realy do not want you in that situation because it quite honestly saddens me to read posts like that..I feel that (if you have a job or money to take your turtle to the vet when it needs to, then I apologize but if you dont read on) you should take extra safety when it comes to dealing with your turtle..because I know you love your turtle, but love cant save everything, unfortunately, in the end it's money that saves our turtles And vets dont always come cheap..The cheapest i've spent was around 62$ at one and the most expensive around 100$.

Again, if you will always have enough money, or have a job to take your turtle to the vet when it needs to, i apologize, but I just feel like you should think twice about certain things since it has become a bit obvious to me that your parents still have the upper hand in things.

[Safdar]

Ya you right

[xsavingsaturdayx]

Do keep in mind that you are learning more and more everyday and that you tend to pick things up pretty quick from what i've noticed. My advice would be to do a lot of reading in subjects like "diet, water quality, UVB/UVA lighting" and keep on educating yourself.

Maybe even do some lawn work for the neighbors or extra chores around the house for some extra bucks$$$ and stash it in secret somewhere in case you need it for tito, if an emergency ever comes up.

Your off at a good start and tito is lucky to have you,

[Safdar]

I try my best to learn as much as i can
I ask questions and learn and try to help others

In a couple of months im gunna turn 16
And i can start working =D
I know the manager at this walgreens next to my house =)

Thank you for your support and help

[Safdar]

K i got the fish, They didnt have small guppies so i got rosy reds
i got 5

How do i Prepare them?