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  1. #1
    Hi, I'm New Here!
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    Will my one goldfish kill my garter?

    I have had my garter snake for about 2 months.
    She never ate and I began to worry. I tried mice, worm, fish, you name it. She didn't eat.
    I thought since she was wild caught she was just stressed.
    On August 25th, she gave birth. 9 living babies.
    I was so shocked, then I realized she must be STARVING.
    We bought more fish and worms...nothing.
    One day, I was cleaning and I couldn't keep my goldfish.
    So I put it in her bowl and she gobbled it up in seconds.
    Then I read about how this will prevent vitamin B1 and she will die.
    I read how people have been feeding them for years and their snakes are fine.
    Will just one goldfish kill her? I'm trying to get it out of her system with other food.
    I love her so much and I need to know soon.

  2. #2
    Forum Moderator infernalis's Avatar
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    Re: Will my one goldfish kill my garter?

    One goldfish will not kill your garter.

  3. #3
    "PM Boots For Custom Title" Albert Clark's Avatar
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    Re: Will my one goldfish kill my garter?

    Those people who are feeding goldfish for years to their garters, trust me, those garters are not healthy. They ( the goldfish) are powder kegs waiting to be ignited. Snakes stay appearing ok but they harbor illnesses for long times before it is visible. It takes something really small to trigger that illness to come to the forefront. Goldfish are the most unhealthy thing to feed to a garter snake. Goldfish are junk food.
    Stay in peace and not pieces.

  4. #4
    Hi, I'm New Here! Artemis deOrdinoides's Avatar
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    Re: Will my one goldfish kill my garter?

    You could try scenting healthier food (like pinkie mice) with a goldfish to get her to eat. Rub a thawed pinkie on a goldfish to pick up some of its slime; will probably work.

  5. #5
    "PM Boots For Custom Title" Albert Clark's Avatar
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    Re: Will my one goldfish kill my garter?

    Quote Originally Posted by Artemis deOrdinoides View Post
    You could try scenting healthier food (like pinkie mice) with a goldfish to get her to eat. Rub a thawed pinkie on a goldfish to pick up some of its slime; will probably work.
    Even this is risky to do. Some of the parasitic organisms are on the scales of the goldfish and live in the slime. Parasites like ichthyopyrus and some gill flukes are on the outside of the fish. There are plenty of safe fish to use for scenting. Just not worth the risk.
    Stay in peace and not pieces.

  6. #6
    T. radix Ranch guidofatherof5's Avatar
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    Re: Will my one goldfish kill my garter?

    Thiaminase builds slowly in the snake and then crashes. By the time it shows in the snake it's usually is too late. I have only heard of a few snakes that were treated for this and survived.
    Steve
    5 awesome kids!
    Emmy, Kale, Molly, Gabby, Hailee
    They are not just snakes. They're garter snakes.
    http://www.youtube.com/user/thamnophis14?feature=mhee

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