Worms

[JodiLeigh]

I don't buy any pre-frozen fish.
Only fresh fish.
Packaged, pre-frozen fish can cause problems. He's a link to a thread Wayne (Infernalis) started.

http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/husb...ozen-fish.html

Ar ok thank you, I did wonder about preservatives and SOOOO glad I asked!

What fish do you feed yours? Or which fish WOULD you feed yours?

[JodiLeigh]

I a while back went to the bait shop n they were out of 'dew worms' and had a container with what were labeled as 'red wigglers' But I opened it n looked, they were mis-labeled, I took one n squeezed it n pinched it with my nails, n there were no secretions so I used them, and they were fine. Just have to be VERY careful to be sure which they were. If in doubt, don't feed em.

Yes I read that many shops mislabel them or just don't have a clue and just label them as 'worms'.

I will test this next time I'm in the shop, I noticed the secretion when I was looking at the worms I got and the red lines so I will be able to tell the difference (hopefully) but yes if I am unsure I wouldn't even bother buying them.

I don't know what I would do if Manny got ill because I fed him the wrong worms

Do you feed your snakes fish? and what fish do you use?

[JodiLeigh]

Oh and forgot to ask what about frozen silversides?
Do they have any preservatives or anything in them?

[guidofatherof5]

Oh and forgot to ask what about frozen silversides?
Do they have any preservatives or anything in them?

Good question. I don't use them so I will be interested to see some of the replies.
Since they aren't for human consumption I doubt it but really don't know.

[JodiLeigh]

I a while back went to the bait shop n they were out of 'dew worms' and had a container with what were labeled as 'red wigglers'

You would normally get dew worms? I take it they are safe? I'll Google them to see what they look like.

Are dew worms a similar price to night crawlers?

[guidofatherof5]

It may just be a regional name given to the worms.
I've read a few U.K. website and it seemed to me lob worms and dew worms are synonymous with Lumbricus terrestris.

Lob worm (Lumbricus terrestris) | OPAL

[aquamentus_11]

Very typical for that to happen.
I'm surprised they didn't recommend crickets or mealworms.

yeah, the pet store where i buy guppies told me to use goldfish and try to feed their garters and ribbons crickets when they're small...i tried to tell them about thiaminase and i ended up having to back off because they were bordering on being offended: "we've never had any problems"

[guidofatherof5]

yeah, the pet store where i buy guppies told me to use goldfish and try to feed their garters and ribbons crickets when they're small...i tried to tell them about thiaminase and i ended up having to back off because they were bordering on being offended: "we've never had any problems"

Of course they didn't have any problems.
They don't keep animals long enough to see the affects of a poor/dangerous/wrong diet.

[aquamentus_11]

exactly my thought. the guppies there go for $3.50/ea though. too expensive for a tiny fish that's about to die. my girl took a large one tonight from my hemostats, btw, but had to spit it out because it was too big, wouldn't go after any more after that....we're making progress at least.

as far as worms go, nightcrawlers are like $3/dozen. gas stations carry them (the ones in MI that do have signs on the front window saying things like "Walt's Crawlers"), wal-mart, k-mart, sporting goods stores that carry outdoors stuff, etc. the tub i currently have in the fridge i actually bought with my pinkies from the pet store, so check again. maybe you can go back and exchange them. i'm going to try to find frozen silversides to augment my pinkies when I get her eating properly. i can't find any anywhere though, so i may have to order some.

[aquamentus_11]

Oh, just noticed that you're from Lancashire. i hope to God that you don't have wal-marts and k-marts there too. just look for the big, purplish pink ones. there's no way to mistake a nightcrawler for a red wiggler once you see them both.