Are Minnows OK to Feed?

[Jack Neary]

Guys,
Are Minnows OK to feed my larger Garters? Seem like they like Frogs and Minnows best...?
I'm struggling to get my smaller Garters to eat anything...
Thanks!
Jack

[jitami]

Jack, just my opinion, but I think minnows are ok. I would try adding some pinky parts and/or bits of fish fillet to the dish with the minnows and see if they'll eat the other items with the minnows. Eventually you can omit the minnows. Good luck!

[infernalis]

if it gets them fed, yes minnows are cool, no goldfish and rosie reds in moderation. the best are guppies & shiners from a clean water source.

Try offering small worms. if all else fails, pollywogs, toadlets, sometimes slugs, just not the orange ones.

[Snake lover 3-25]

Good luck!!!

[Jack Neary]

Jack, just my opinion, but I think minnows are ok. I would try adding some pinky parts and/or bits of fish fillet to the dish with the minnows and see if they'll eat the other items with the minnows. Eventually you can omit the minnows. Good luck!

I tried to get my Garters to take some Pinky parts, but they seem to have no interest??
Jack

[EdgyExoticReptiles]

a diet with only "rosy red" minnows (over time) will have the same effects as if it was fed goldfish for they contain thiaminase

[jitami]

I tried to get my Garters to take some Pinky parts, but they seem to have no interest??
Jack

I think that's normal Jack. Do they take minnows now? Once you have them feeding well on minnows(or worms, or slugs, frogs, etc) then try adding some pinky parts in with the minnows(or whatever it is they like to eat). This won't work for all snakes, but it should work for most.

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

I dont know about all minnows, but Fathead minnows (rosy reds) are bad.

[Zephyr]

Bad in large amounts, good in small ones. It's all about variety.

[drache]

all the garters I get from Scott are raised on minnows and many of them I can't switch to pinks until they can take full size ones
some will take f/t trout or salmon strips, but again - some won't
so far - knock on wood - I've never had a problem
I still try to get them off the minnows asap though