Minnows?

[RedSidedSPR]

I know they should be avoided, but I can't find anywhere that carries Guppies!! Fancy guppies, sure, but no feeders.
Since they aren't as bad as goldfish (right?) it's OK isn't? I feed other stuff too.

When I first got my snake I didn't know anything about WHAT fish to feed, so I got minnows. HE LOVED 'EM. He wouldn't eat anything else, worms nothing. Lately, since he'll eat other stuff, I've tried to feed less minnows, and more worms, since I've learned, but that's all I can feed fish-wise. It will be really hard to feed anything else, 'cause I can't get any pinkies except for packs of 6 FOR $10!!!!! Can't afford minnows yet.

Scott Felzer feeds minnows, that's why I originally started.

[guidofatherof5]

Most bait shop minnows carry a heavy parasite load. Lots of pin worms and other nasties. It's a big risk.
Freezing them for a few months is suppose to kill both the parasites and their eggs.
If I remember correctly there have been some controversy over the effectiveness of this procedure.

[d_virginiana]

Mine has eaten almost nothing but bait minnows and worms for his whole life, and he's fine, because turns out they're an okay species (yeah, didn't know starting out either). But I'm not sure if the species for bait minnows would be the same where you live? They eat a lot of fish and amphibians in the wild, so as long as you avoid 'bad fish' it's probably not an issue.
I think the fish that are really dangerous tend to have rosy/golden coloration, but I'd go with what other people say, cause I really don't know much about what's safe and what's not. But I'm in the same boat with the feeding supply; nowhere within an hour of my house sells possible garter food other than those minnows...

[infernalis]

I buy a trout at the grocery store and cut pieces off it for my snakes, they eat it.

[d_virginiana]

Does anyone else have a snake that is really picky about eating non-live prey? I've tried fish like that in the past and he just won't go for it.

Also, what is it specifically about bait-shop fish that makes them more likely to have parasites n such than store-bought ones? Is it the way they are shipped/raised or just the type of fish they are?

[RedSidedSPR]

They are wild-caught.

GOT THE SNAKE!! Baby anerythristic. pics tomorrow (quit whinig)

Scott told me where to find guppies!!

[d_virginiana]

They are wild-caught.

Okay, I feel much better about that now. Our guy has been established for over thirty years and has managed to set up a rotational system with his minnows a lot like some people do for their crickets, so they're captive-bred (probably also why he's the richest bait-shop owner I've ever met...).

Congrats on getting your new snake!

[guidofatherof5]

Does anyone else have a snake that is really picky about eating non-live prey? I've tried fish like that in the past and he just won't go for it.

Also, what is it specifically about bait-shop fish that makes them more likely to have parasites n such than store-bought ones? Is it the way they are shipped/raised or just the type of fish they are?

It is the way they are housed. Poor water conditions and over crowding.
The parasites thrive and cycle in those tight quarters.

[d_virginiana]

It is the way they are housed. Poor water conditions and over crowding.
The parasites thrive and cycle in those tight quarters.

Oh.. Well, shoot. I've been trying to find something else that's a bit safer. Other than worms, there's really nothing anywhere near my house, and my parents absolutely refuse to allow me to feed him pinkies or order food specifically for him.
I guess I can keep trying to get him on store-bought fish though...

[guidofatherof5]

Fresh, U.S. or Canada raised Salmon/trout is a good alternative.