Bass, crappie, shiners, and other freshwater scaled fish?

[jitami]

What's even a bigger issue is that I REALLY need a small whole fish that can be fed live and not be a problem...I'm getting a pair of WC fish eaters that I don't think will eat anything but live wholefish and frogs/tadpoles atleast for a while. Not to mention that I'm afraid to try mice or anything apart from their natural diet as I don't know the results of anyone trying that before, they are rare, and weren't cheap either.

Kelan, welcome to the forum. You've peaked my curiosity! What are you getting? There are quite a few keepers here and someone may have had success with the species you're getting.... why re-invent the wheel, you know? And if someone here hasn't kept that particular type I really want to know what you're getting! Would love to learn more about some of the less common varieties!

[Kelan]

Thanks for the info Charis!

It's quite amusing how they get snubbed just for that when it actually makes them easier and cheaper to cater for. My calcium and vitamin drops last me ages (about £10 every 5 months) and one pack of salmon/trout for me is <£5 ..... 100pinkies is >£18 ... If I dropped the salmon/trout I'd double my pinkie bill

I agree! Stupidity CAN be amusing. lol

Kelan, welcome to the forum. You've peaked my curiosity! What are you getting? There are quite a few keepers here and someone may have had success with the species you're getting.... why re-invent the wheel, you know? And if someone here hasn't kept that particular type I really want to know what you're getting! Would love to learn more about some of the less common varieties!

Thanks! I'm getting Liophis Poecilogyrus (not sure of the common name, Ill have to make something up) which is a small south american water snake. They are black and bright yellow...I'm so exited and will try to post pictures here after they come in. I don't know anyone else who has them.

[jitami]

Thanks! I'm getting Liophis Poecilogyrus (not sure of the common name, Ill have to make something up) which is a small south american water snake. They are black and bright yellow...I'm so exited and will try to post pictures here after they come in. I don't know anyone else who has them.

Neat little snake! Sounds like they're big amphibian eaters, too. Please do share pics when you get them

[Kelan]

Will do Tami!

[Jeff B]

Yes definately want to see pics of them!

[ConcinusMan]

Besides occasional goldfish, I used wild frogs, trout fingerlings, amphibians and larvae, night crawlers, everything found where the pair was found. In essence, their natural food which is probably riddled with parasites. Snakes probably had them too, but the snakes were very large, healthy, and lived 20 years. They had already acquired resistance. When you introduce a wild food source they wouldn't normally be eating, they could encounter a parasite for which they have no resistance. As far as the bad enzyme goes, balance is key. They will do in a pinch but balance with thiamine rich foods.

If all your snakes fed and/or housed together are wild, like that pair was I'd say it's not a problem to feed them food from their wild habitat. They either already have parasites or have resistance. Just don't want that stuff in with the generations removed as it could wipe them out.

[guidofatherof5]

Besides occasional goldfish, I used wild frogs, trout fingerlings, amphibians and larvae, night crawlers, everything found where the pair was found. In essence, their natural food which is probably riddled with parasites. Snakes probably had them too, but the snakes were very large, healthy, and lived 20 years. They had already acquired resistance. When you introduce a wild food source they wouldn't normally be eating, they could encounter a parasite for which they have no resistance. As far as the bad enzyme goes, balance is key. They will do in a pinch but balance with thiamine rich foods.

If all your snakes fed and/or housed together are wild, like that pair was I'd say it's not a problem to feed them food from their wild habitat. They either already have parasites or have resistance. Just don't want that stuff in with the generations removed as it could wipe them out.

Resistance to parasites?
It's more a tolerated situation isn't it. A snake in good health will tolerate a parasite and not show any harmful signs from the intruder. The problem comes when the snake is weak or weakened by illness or old age. Then the presence of the parasite/s can kill them.
If they eat a food source with a parasite load, they will become a host.

[ConcinusMan]

I'm not saying parasites are a good thing. I'm just saying a healthy snake can live with them their entire lives and suffer no apparent harm. More snakes than you know, do just that.

[guidofatherof5]

I'm not saying parasites are a good thing. I'm just saying a healthy snake can live with them their entire lives and suffer no apparent harm.

Using the word resistance is what through me. I understand now what you were saying.

[ConcinusMan]

OK. In this case by "resistance" I meant that their immunity to harm caused by parasites they carry, is high.

Might not be the case with a several-generations-removed CB garter.