Blackbelly Garter snake mega post

[EasternGirl]

Very pretty. That one in the first pic is so cute.

[Light of Dae]

Did no one else notice he is feeding ROSIES? As in a bad fish? No One? Really? 2 Dozen Rosies a feeding is going to add up quick, I'm not talking money wise, I'm concerned about Thiamise issues.

Guppies or Platies are the only two safe LIVE fish that I am aware of.

Someone Correct me if I'm wrong.. Considering no one else caught that.

[Light of Dae]

I'd hate to see such beautiful snakes die of a vitamin B deficiency.

[guidofatherof5]

Did no one else notice he is feeding ROSIES? As in a bad fish? No One? Really? 2 Dozen Rosies a feeding is going to add up quick, I'm not talking money wise, I'm concerned about Thiamise issues.

Guppies or Platies are the only two safe LIVE fish that I am aware of.

Someone Correct me if I'm wrong.. Considering no one else caught that.

Good point to bring up.

He also is trying to get them switched to pinkies.

[EasternGirl]

You are correct...I did not catch that. Dae is right, rosies are not a safe fish to feed to garters. Switch them to guppies or platies if you want to feed live fish, and I do recommend trying to get them started on pinkies.

[annulataarethebest]

Whenever I started feeding them they would get 2 dozen rosies per feeding, which wouldn't last. They currently go through a good bit more than that, I put probably 7 dozen guppies in their water bowl the day I took pics and by the time I was done making this thread the bowl was empty. And guppies are tiny, so for 2.50 a dozen I'll go for the rosies when they have them. I don't really know how big adults of this species are, but I somehow don't see them getting big enough to eat fuzzies... And pinkies arent really nutritionally beneficial so where's the middle ground at...

[guidofatherof5]

If I had a choice to feed fish or pinkies I would go with the pinkies.
I think they a very good source of nutrients.

[EasternGirl]

Yes...many of us feed pinkies to our snakes and they seem to be providing substantial nutrients. Of course, a varied diet is best for optimum health, in my opinion. I always recommend a diet consisting of pinkies, fish (I prefer fresh fish fillet such as tilapia or salmon), and earthworms, along with a calcium/D3 supplement. This is what I feed all of my snakes and they all seem to be doing well. Many members feed their snakes a similar diet. Some members feed pinky only diets and their snakes do very well with that diet too. The problem with some live fish, rosies being one of them in particular, is that they contain thiaminase...an enzyme that can be dangerous when the levels of it build up over time in garters. It causes a vitamin B1 deficiency which can lead to tremors, convulsions, and eventually, death.

[BUSHSNAKE]

Im feeding mine F/T smelt dusted with B1

[BUSHSNAKE]

a striped no spots green one