I have fed my Garter/Ribbon Goldfish for 13 years. Is Thiaminase a problem?

[Millinex]

In my stores minnows (guppies some call them) are the same price as goldfish, goldfish are such garbage feeders though ;*O

[DrKate]

In my stores minnows (guppies some call them) ...

Sorry, my inner biologist is refusing to let me just let this go... Guppies and minnows are really completely different things. Minnows and goldfish are both in the Cyprinid family (along with carp and barbs). Some minnow species can have high levels of thiaminase just like goldfish ("rosy red minnows" are often mentioned on this forum as an example). Some minnows may be safe to feed, I'm not sure, you'd have to check that list linked to a few posts back.

Guppies on the other hand are in the Poecilid family and do not have high levels of (or perhaps any) thiaminase. In most pet stores you're more likely to find fancy guppies, meant to be kept as pets (and selling for $2 each). But some stores sell plain guppies (usually less than an inch long) as feeder fish. I've found that at least in my area, a tank of "feeder guppies" often actually contains a mix of guppies and a related species, the Endler's livebearer. Doesn't matter from the snakes' point of view, both are safe to feed - and equally yummy, judging by my boys' reaction to them.

Anyway, I'm sorry Millinex, I don't mean to be rude in the least, but since the distinction is actually important when it comes to feeding snakes, I thought it was worth correcting the mistake.

[Millinex]

Sorry, my inner biologist is refusing to let me just let this go... Guppies and minnows are really completely different things. Minnows and goldfish are both in the Cyprinid family (along with carp and barbs). Some minnow species can have high levels of thiaminase just like goldfish ("rosy red minnows" are often mentioned on this forum as an example). Some minnows may be safe to feed, I'm not sure, you'd have to check that list linked to a few posts back.

Guppies on the other hand are in the Poecilid family and do not have high levels of (or perhaps any) thiaminase. In most pet stores you're more likely to find fancy guppies, meant to be kept as pets (and selling for $2 each). But some stores sell plain guppies (usually less than an inch long) as feeder fish. I've found that at least in my area, a tank of "feeder guppies" often actually contains a mix of guppies and a related species, the Endler's livebearer. Doesn't matter from the snakes' point of view, both are safe to feed - and equally yummy, judging by my boys' reaction to them.

Anyway, I'm sorry Millinex, I don't mean to be rude in the least, but since the distinction is actually important when it comes to feeding snakes, I thought it was worth correcting the mistake.

It's not a problem I'm just speaking from experience from a lot of people I see come in the stores. I know full well the differences between the 2, however there are a huge populous who frankly, has no idea the difference. My father called the minnows guppies for years until I got around to correcting him.

[DrKate]

It's not a problem I'm just speaking from experience from a lot of people I see come in the stores.

Oh, right on... I read your original post as you saying they were the same thing, but people used two different names. Sorry! Well anyway, the clarification is there in case anyone who *is* one of those confused people comes along and happens to read it.

[KITKAT]

http://www.thamnophis.com/caresheets...?title=Thiamin,

YouTube - Thiamin deficiency