Fish fillets staple diet?

[Didymus20X6]

I have not ever had success getting any of mine to take pinkies. Made a trip to Jackson once, spent $13 for a box of six fuzzies, and Little Dude wouldn't touch a single one of them. I might as well have just taken $13 and flushed it down the toilet. But as soon as I got home with those toads I captured up by the women's resource center that night, *Chomp! Gobble! Eat!* Maybe now that she's eating tilapia, I could try again. Or maybe see if Scarlett will eat any. But so far, negative on the rodents.

[Starling96]

Yea me to
I get my mice cheaperthough

[d_virginiana]

Mine has never eaten anything but nightcrawlers and minnows, but I wouldn't recommend minnows. He's old and healthy, but it's definitely risky, and I've been trying to get him to take pinkies or fillets lately with very little success

[Starling96]

Yea i'm going to try everything lol

[ConcinusMan]

All well balanced and sound opinions stated above, but I especially agree with this one when it comes to fish-eating snakes...

1. The Thiaminase issue. Certain species of fish are high in thiaminase, an enzyme that can cause Vitamin B deficiency in snakes. And according to some reports I've read, supplements won't do enough to counteract thiaminase effects. You'll want to avoid those particular species, or at the very least, use them minimally.

2. Some fish are high in dangerous chemicals, like pesticides and mercury. Avoid these as well. If it's not safe for human consumption, it's not safe for reptiles (and just because the store sells it, don't assume it's safe for humans).

3. Filets have no bones. Snakes need calcium in their diets. This can be remedied with a supplement that provides calcium and Vitamin D.

4. I am of the opinion that since they eat a somewhat balanced diet in the wild, a balanced diet in captivity is also necessary. However, due to pragmatics, you might be in the same boat I'm in: having to settle for what you can get locally. If fish filets is all you can get, then make the best of them. Right now, I feed Little Dude mostly tilapia, and Scarlett mostly nightcrawlers. I occasionally snag a wild frog or two for a treat, but I can't get rodents anywhere within 100 miles of here. So fish and worms is pretty much it. I use calcium supplements, since neither food provides much naturally.

5. I've read elsewhere that tilapia and genuine Alaskan salmon are good choices for snakes.

I don't have much else to add to what had already been said except... It would help to know what fish fillets are available to you on a regular basis. I may be able to elaborate on what is the best choices. Adding a light dusting of reptical to fish fillets at least once per month, especially for young growing snakes, is a good idea. Personally, I avoid supplements and prefer to add rodents, earthworms/slugs in addition to fish. It's too easy to throw things out of balance when using supplements especially if you over do it. Too much of one vitamin can cause deficiencies in other vitamins in spite of their abundance in the food supply. If you use supplements, use them very sparingly and only if you know their diet (fillet only, for example) is deficient. Garter snakes are quite resilient and able to adapt to fluctuating food supplies/sources. It is quite possible to "love your snake to death" by over supplementing.

[Starling96]

yea
im going to try scented pinkies tommorrow mixed with some fish

[snakeman]

Don't get me wrong.you can run into problems with mice too if you don't have a reputable supplier.

[Starling96]

yea
ive had that problem with my old rat snake
my freind owns a pet shop and he breeds them and they have done fine on those so far (not my ribbons my corns)

[Starling96]

corn i mean lol

[Mommy2many]

I have not ever had success getting any of mine to take pinkies. Made a trip to Jackson once, spent $13 for a box of six fuzzies, and Little Dude wouldn't touch a single one of them. I might as well have just taken $13 and flushed it down the toilet.

You tried fuzzies. Try the new born pinkies. Some snakes don't like the "fuzzy" part. Mine don't. So get the mice with no fuzz and cut them up. It might be worth the try. Toads may have a high parasite content. I know they love them but we also love cheeseburgers and they aren't the best foods for us. Try salmon as well. Nightcrawlers are also a big hit with all of my snakes here!

Good Luck!