Caught In Action

[5teve-0]

Why is it that whenever somebody posts a picture of a fish eating another fish, everybody has to give their 2cents about why it's wrong and why the poor little goldfish should live.

As a hobbyist it's our responsibility to take care of our OWN fish, not everybody elses. I find the pics cute, and the oscars are BEAUTIFUL! But seriously people, we all have to realize that in the wild the big fish will eat the small fish, and if we're trying to recreate any species natural enviroment, then feeding them goldfish weekly isn't a terrible thing.

Dave, nice tank, the water is a bit cloudy. How often and how much water do you change? Also, what size is the tank?

thats not the issue at all, it's because the goldfish are about as nurishing for the fish as cardboard, and they probably have more deseases then a 10p prostitute, as "feeder" fish spend most of their life crammed into small tanks with 100's of others.

now tell me if feeding them to your OWN fish is taking care of them!

 

[Davo86]

As a hobbyist it's our responsibility to take care of our OWN fish, not everybody elses. I find the pics cute, and the oscars are BEAUTIFUL! But seriously people, we all have to realize that in the wild the big fish will eat the small fish, and if we're trying to recreate any species natural enviroment, then feeding them goldfish weekly isn't a terrible thing.

Totally agree, However when in the wild does an Oscar come across the chance to eat Goldfish?
A Goldfish isn't a natural food source for an Oscar and in fact will often do more harm than good,
Lack of nutrition, illness spreading and the hormone issues linked with feeding Goldfish are just three reasons why it isn't a worthwhile practice.

Also why try to say that you have fed them goldfish for the past 5 years when it is obvious the Oscars are barely a year old.

 

[hollanda88]

Why is it that whenever somebody posts a picture of a fish eating another fish, everybody has to give their 2cents about why it's wrong and why the poor little goldfish should live.

As a hobbyist it's our responsibility to take care of our OWN fish, not everybody elses. I find the pics cute, and the oscars are BEAUTIFUL! But seriously people, we all have to realize that in the wild the big fish will eat the small fish, and if we're trying to recreate any species natural enviroment, then feeding them goldfish weekly isn't a terrible thing.

Dave, nice tank, the water is a bit cloudy. How often and how much water do you change? Also, what size is the tank?

I don't think anyone has really given their "2cents" about the welfare of the fed fish???

However...
If you can feed prepared food with no health implications and any other implications then why should we have the need to feed live?

andrew

 

[loraxchick]

a note on photography- the water may appear cloudy because the tank is backlit. depending on the camera model used and exposure/wb etc., this may be why the water looks cloudy...not trying to start an argument here but just adding my two cents.
cheers

 

[PRW1988]

I find it funny how most people say that feeder fish are all diseased. Yes, this may be the case in some feeders. However most lfs's that I go to to buy feeders (or used to as I got rid of my preds) did a daily water change on the tank of atleast 75% including Petsmart where I used to work. You can always tell if a fish is diseased, and if it is, then you don't use it. I raised an oscar strictly on live foods (feeder goldfish, red rosy minnows, crawfish, earthworms and small frogs) and he's 15" now, still kicking.

The reason I know that my oscar is still kicking is because, dispite the fact I got rid of my preds (at home), I kept the oscar at my brothers house and he feeds him. Still on ONLY live foods. The maintainance is a pain so I don't reccommend this and Im sure I could switch him over to pellets. But why change a good thing? BTW the oscars 4.

 

[RadaR]

I find it funny how most people say that feeder fish are all diseased.

That is not what is being said. More a case of there being an increased risk of infection to the fish than if it was being fed branded foods.
Overlooking the thiaminase issue?