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

[DrKate]

I know these are a problem in snakes, however I would like to raise the question of is this a known problem in lizards as well?

Hey Mike, I was just looking back at this thread to get some info and I noticed that nobody answered your question.

My understanding is that thiaminase (or more importantly, thiamine-deficient food) is a problem for any species. There must be variation in how sensitive various predator species are, though, because in nature somebody has to prey on all those minnows and anchovies and whatnot.

At any rate, the short answer is I don't know - I haven't seen anything one way or the other about lizards, and it's always possible that they're really sensitive and would have a problem after just one thiamine-deficient meal. I suspect that the occasional live shiner for variety and behavioral enrichment won't harm your lizard, as long as the rest of his diet is nutritionally complete. (If you're dusting any of his prey with vitamin powder then you're very likely OK because that contains thiamine!) But I really can't say for sure.

[Millinex]

Hey Mike, I was just looking back at this thread to get some info and I noticed that nobody answered your question.

My understanding is that thiaminase (or more importantly, thiamine-deficient food) is a problem for any species. There must be variation in how sensitive various predator species are, though, because in nature somebody has to prey on all those minnows and anchovies and whatnot.

At any rate, the short answer is I don't know - I haven't seen anything one way or the other about lizards, and it's always possible that they're really sensitive and would have a problem after just one thiamine-deficient meal. I suspect that the occasional live shiner for variety and behavioral enrichment won't harm your lizard, as long as the rest of his diet is nutritionally complete. (If you're dusting any of his prey with vitamin powder then you're very likely OK because that contains thiamine!) But I really can't say for sure.

Yes I did indeed research into this pretty well. It affects fish and lizards both. A few now and then do not harm the lizard and he will be fine, as long as it isn't staple. I just managed to buy a fishing rod and liscence and catch a few worms. Fillet of bluegill/bass is so much better and easy to get.