Silversides STINK!!!!

[SilasBannook]

I do love this forum for all of the great information available. However, the note about the horrendous smell of silversides was missing. I couldn't find guppies to feed my snakes so I decided to try the silversides as recommended in the care sheet promoted on the forum. I brought the bag of frozen goodies home and opened it up in the kitchen (before our dinner) to take a few out to thaw for an evening snake feed and WHAM..... The most amazing stench permeated the lower lever of the house. The kids were outside playing and when they came in twenty minutes later the first thing they commented on was "that awful stench." My wife promptly informed me at that time that if I were to feed those to the snakes both those fish and the snakes would have to be outside during the feeding if that was the course to be served.

I know several board members talk about feeding their snakes silversides. Did I get a bad bag of frozen silversides or are those that feed them just fine with that very strong smell. Do share.

Thanks.

[Selkielass]

I've stirred commented repeatedly about how bad they smell. Yech!!!
(Sally's. Silversides. Big box petstore.)
Some batches smell worse than others, but I've never had a batch that smelled 'fresh'.

Be warned, the poop smells even worse.

Now that my snakes are full grown, and I have calcium supplements, I feed scraps of salmon and tilapia. The snakes like it better and the smell is far far less offensive.

Honestly I don't think silversides are handled properly- somewhere in the supply chain to me they are getting pretty rank. Its never affected my snakes visibly (unlike some bad worms from walmart.)Some but I still don't like the idea if feeding something that I'd never eat.

[guidofatherof5]

Sounds like you got a bad bag of fish. I have used Silversides before and always found then to smell like any fish I've purchased for the family.

[RedSidedSPR]

What Steve said, never stinks THAT bad, just smells like a lot of fish. Granted, it's sudden and strong cuz it's hundreds of fish sealed in to an air tight bag, but it's to be expected

[ProXimuS]

I'm with Steve and RedSidedSPR. I use them and they seem to just smell kinda fishy. Nothing wonderful, but nothing that bad.

[i_heart_sneakie_snakes]

Yeah, I'd be scared to feed those to my snakes. I hate fish and their smell. But even to me they are just not THAT bad.

[SilasBannook]

Thanks guys. I will make sure I scrap that and just chalk up the expense as a lesson learned. I will try Talapia with calcium powder. There is no question that the silverside smell was significantly more than your average fish. I do want to make sure I give my guys the best diet possible so I will continue to experiment. Appreciate the feedback.

[RedSidedSPR]

Silversides are still an option if you prefer them. Was just one bad bag.

[ConcinusMan]

Sounds like you got a bad bag of fish. I have used Silversides before and always found then to smell like any fish I've purchased for the family.

I agree. They shouldn't smell bad. I did notice however, that the Sally's smell and look fresher than other brands. Even slightly "rotten" , in which case they would "stink to high heaven" they won't harm your garters. Just be careful about cross-contamination and whatnot. Handle them with care and sanitize everything afterward.

I've even noticed that some garters even prefer slighly rancid fish or pinkies over fresh ones. Just watch out when it comes out the other end. The whole snake room will stink.

[SilasBannook]

Thanks for that additional note. As I have to keep my wife happy with snakes in the living room I need to minimize bad odors the snakes may offer. ;) Me.... well she is stuck with me (had to be said).

[ConcinusMan]

I would seriously consider getting your silversides elsewhere or waiting for them to get a new shipment in. They shouldn't stink that bad. No more than a small, freshly caught trout would if you unwrapped it.

[Steveo]

I didn't think they smelled terribly badly, but I quickly tired of cutting frozen blocks and chopping them into smaller bits. I set up an aquarium and threw some guppies in there thinking that would at least be a more enjoyable alternative, but even with 8 females reproducing like crazy they couldn't even come close to producing enough to feed 6 young garters. Each garter could probably eat 4 adult guppies per week I'm producing about 30 per month.

[thamneil]

I've been using ProSalt and San Fransisco Bay. I have never noticed any rancid smell.

The petstore I used to work at had a freezer that wouldnt always seal properly. The fish would thaw and freeze repeatedly. Those ones did have a very putrid smell!

[ConcinusMan]

I much prefer the San Fransisco Bay Brand "Sally's". They're packed in water so they stay very fresh and life-like in appearance. Check your packages carefully. Make sure they're sealed (vacuum in tact) and that the fish have a fresh-caught look. They should have good "clean" fresh fish smell when opened/thawed.

But like I said, your snakes don't really care. It's OK for them to eat slightly rancid stuff and I'm sure that carivorous fish don't care either.

[Invisible Snake]

I didn't think they smelled terribly badly, but I quickly tired of cutting frozen blocks and chopping them into smaller bits. I set up an aquarium and threw some guppies in there thinking that would at least be a more enjoyable alternative, but even with 8 females reproducing like crazy they couldn't even come close to producing enough to feed 6 young garters. Each garter could probably eat 4 adult guppies per week I'm producing about 30 per month.

Post pictures of your guppy set-ups please :D

[d_virginiana]

When I feed silversides, I can always smell it through the whole apartment, but it's always just a fishy smell not a rotten one. I guess some people might think that was really gross, but it doesn't really bother me anymore.
One good thing about them is that by the time I get everything ready for feeding time, everyone is already out and waiting to eat!

[Steveo]

Post pictures of your guppy set-ups please :D

It's nothing special, just a 30gal hex with some purple moscows. I've produced a few nice males but most show some yellow or orange and become snake food.