Fish

[Stefan-A]

If we had pictures, we could probably ID them. Hybrids are very unlikely.

[Zephyr]

Ya know, technically rosy reds are oily fish. I remember reading an article that said they too contain thiaminase, just not as much as goldfish.

[Lori P]

Did we ever figure out if thiaminase has any relation to the gold color of certain fish?? Which would explain why rosy reds may have some thiaminase while other minnows don't??

[adamanteus]

I don't think we did. But it's a good idea. Red colouration is certainly an indication of toxicity in some animals. Who wants to research that?

[Lori P]

I'm off to try!!!

[adamanteus]

Go Lori!

[Lori P]

This does not address the color issue, but it's interesting reading-- they suggest gut loading feeder fish to off-set the harm of the thiaminase.

Thiamine and goldfish - WaterWolves - Exotic, Rare and Predatory Fish Since 1998!=

I'm not having any luck so far on the color theme... off to search more. :-)

[Lori P]

Well, I'm right back to being confused. (That's ok, that's normal for me!) I read and I read, and here's what I learned:

--Rosy reds contain lots of fat and thiaminase.
--Rosy reds contain very little thiaminase.
--All minnows contain thiaminase.
--Only certain minnows contain thiaminase.
--All live-bearing fish are safe.
--Some live-bearing fish contain thiaminase.
--No mention anywhere I could find of a thiaminase/color relationship.
--All frozen fish contain thiaminase as the freezing process releases the minute amounts that all fish carry and allows it to destroy all the B1 in the fishes body.
--My head is befuddled and for tonite, I give up.

My theory right now is, variety, variety. And gut load all feeders as best you can with good quality feed and vitamin/minerals.

[KITKAT]

--My head is befuddled and for tonite, I give up.

My theory right now is, variety, variety. And gut load all feeders as best you can with good quality feed and vitamin/minerals.

I have been confused by this too. But I feed minnows, nightcrawlers, pinkies, and beef heart (in that order of occurrance) and have never had a snake with recognizable thiaminase symptoms.

[GarterGuy]

My theory right now is, variety, variety. And gut load all feeders as best you can with good quality feed and vitamin/minerals.

Think that's probably the best idea, the more variety, the less any one food item will have any detrimental affects on your snakes.....and in the long run, the happier the snakes will be. Variety IS the spice of life!