silversides ok?

[aquamentus_11]

Just wondering whether silversides are a good mainstay for garters considering that they're marine fish. No probs with NaCl or iodine?

[chris-uk]

"Silverside" is a common name that is sometimes used for different species - pond smelt (Hypomesus olidus) is on the safe list as far as thiaminase is concerned.
I'm not sure that sodium or iodine is a problem, do salt water fish have a higher level of either in their flesh? I was under the impression that salt water fish constantly excrete the salt that they absorb through osmosis, meaning that internally their salty content is the same as freshwater fish or in fact the snake that eats them.

[guidofatherof5]

Variety is best.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

agreed!

Variety is best.

[mb90078]

I use them as the majority of the diet for mine, but as others have stated, mixing in other foods to the diet is a great way to make sure they have a balanced diet.

[guidofatherof5]

I use them as the majority of the diet for mine, but as others have stated, mixing in other foods to the diet is a great way to make sure they have a balanced diet.

A varied diet is a good thing.

[aquamentus_11]

A varied diet is a good thing.

Thanks. I'm right with you guys there. Half the fun for me of keeping herps is feeding different prey items. I'd just rather offer something with a skeleton as a staple and personally feel happier with fish more often than rodents for these guys. So as long as the pond smelt are safe, that's what I'll use with nightcrawlers and the occasional mouse.
Now the real question is which type of garter should I get? Options are melanistic eastern, parietalis, blue infernalis or anery parietalis. Going to be female regardless

[aquamentus_11]

Or puget

[guidofatherof5]

Red Sided garter are great snakes. Never found a picky eater or bad attitude.

[aquamentus_11]

How about pugets?