Best diet for my Santa Cruz (T. a. atratus)?

[Luk]

Hey all! First post here but glad I've found this site. I have had my Garter for about 2 months now and I have read that for little guys nightcrawlers are a good choice for little ones so that's what I fed him to start and boy did he eat, (like 3 every 4 days). Now that he is a little bigger I have started feeding him diced up fresh/frozen-thawed tilapia fillet. My question to you all is, could I be feeding him something else that would be better, or is his current diet sufficient? Could I give him a supplement? Thanks y'all!

This is Bear, waiting for food as always..lol

14608

[Zdravko092368]

Tilapia fillet is not nutrient dense and lacks calcium because there's no internal organs or bones. Something you can order or may be sold petsmart stores locally that is great for garters is Sally's silversides fish.

http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/PetSmart/5058478?$sclp-prd-main_large$

[Luk]

So I've tried to find that product locally but can't find it. Would a high quality calcium supplement on the tilapia help? I am thinking of just stockpiling and vacuum sealing some feeder fish. What are the healthiest that are commonly available?

[guidofatherof5]

Have you tried night crawlers? Here is the calcium supp I use Rep-Cal w/D3

https://www.amazon.com/Rep-Cal-SRP00200-Phosphorous-Free-Ultrafine-Supplement/dp/B00BS96G1E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496867756&sr=8-1&keywords=rep-cal

[Luk]

I Have used nightcrawlers and he loves em but I thought fish with would be better. So I am still curious if I could just lightly dust the tilapia with calcium?

[guidofatherof5]

A varied diet is best. All the foods offer different nutrients. I personally feel night crawlers are better than fish. Adding some good quality calcium every once in awhile is good.