Fancy guppies ok?

[Cfleming]

Ok so I am having a little trouble finding regular feeder guppies. I had my lps order me some, but the quality was horrible. Most came in dead, and the rest died a couple days later. So I will not be ordering more. The petsmart close by has several varieties of the fancy guppies. They are brightly colored and and their fins do the whole "fan" thing. Are these ok for my baby garters to eat?

[Didymus20X6]

Here, I would have to introduce some simple pragmatics: cost. I imagine that fancy guppies, whether they would be safe or not, will be far too expensive to serve as a staple food for garter snakes. You'd be better off serving your snakes nightcrawlers and rodents, or, if you can get them to eat them, tilapia pieces (I still haven't gotten Scarlett to eat them, but Little Dude gobbles them up).

As for whether they'd be safe, I'm thinking that will depend on the exact species of the fish in question. Keep in mind, pet stores are not always exactly precise (or in some cases even honest) about what to call the animals they are selling. What they call "fancy guppies" may or may not even be true guppies. Check the species name, and then do research based on that.

[Hornets23]

I would try other options...

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Regardless of price, the main question here is whether or not they would be a good feeder. The answer is yes, guppies are guppies and if you are willing to pay for fancy guppies, by all means, you can use them. The coloration is all natural, so no worries there. But only one small problem... Check to see if your LFS uses any types of chemicals on their fish. They are no good to use if they have been exposed to anything other than a stress coat or start right or similar product. Your safest bet is to buy some guppies and raise them yourself. This is time consuming, and more work than it's worth in my opinion and if anything I wOuld probably switch your snake onto something more cost effective. You may also use platies, mollies and swordtails. But only if you can find clean sources. Some stores are able to order feeder platies, check to see if it's possible!

[Cfleming]

Thanks asnakelovingbabe. That is the answer I was looking for. I was really considering breeding guppies and other species of feeder fish. But upon doing some research on it, I a agree, it seems to be a lot more trouble and work than it is worth. My babies are eating worms also, so I think I am just gonna stick with them until I can get them switched over to pinkies.

[snakehill]

Trust me, be happy with that!!!!!!!!!!!

[brain]

Check this article for a sub fish at a better priceing.
Page 1 of NAS thiaminase table: http://books.nap.edu/books/030903325X/html/64.html#page_top
Page 2 of NAS thiaminase table: http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1114&page=65

If I can't get feeder guppies I use Zebra Dainos' $.87 ea, Mollies' $.97ea or Platties'
$ .79 ea at my local pet store.

Fancy Guppies' $2.99 ea hurts

[guidofatherof5]

I used that article to make this:
Safe Fish List

[brain]

TY much better to read

[guidofatherof5]

TY much better to read

My eyes were having trouble with it so I made it mostly out of necessity