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  L# Live foods for Oscars?Or other cichlids
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SubscribeLive foods for Oscars?Or other cichlids
Cichlid Kid
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male usa
hi, i was just wondering on the aspects of feeding live foods to my oscar, possibly tadpoles or frogs from the wild and the risks inherited in that.i would like some ideas,and i would like the foods to be alive, i like to watch the fish hunt.any ideas would be great.I have done worms and fish, as well as crickets.
Post InfoPosted 29-Dec-2008 22:22Profile AIM PM Edit Report 
jasonpisani
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male malta
I only recommend you, to make sure that you get disease free Live food for your Oscar. If possible breed some "easy to breed" fish like Livebearers & you'll solve your problem. Catching & feeding frogs would be too risky.

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Post InfoPosted 30-Dec-2008 11:31Profile MSN PM Edit Delete Report 
DaMossMan
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male canada ca-ontario
Breeding platys worked well for me, you could then feed them top notch foods that will be passed onto your oscar





The Amazon Nut...
Post InfoPosted 30-Dec-2008 17:04Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Cichlid Kid
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male usa
ok thanks. i was thinking guppies?what do you people think?i know guppies where im from are a bit on the pricey side but they could breed in and old boot.
Post InfoPosted 30-Dec-2008 19:35Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
DaMossMan
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Guppys work too. I started with them, then switched to platys because they are hardier, and larger in size.

If you like watching them hunt drop a crayfish at the far end of the tank

The Amazon Nut...
Post InfoPosted 30-Dec-2008 21:53Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Cichlid Kid
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male usa
were can i find crayfish.i dont think my lfs has them but then again ive never really looked.its winter time here now so i cant go catch them from the stream, and isnt it possible for wild ones to carry parasites?
Post InfoPosted 30-Dec-2008 22:41Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
DaMossMan
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Yes wild ones can carry parasites. Check the fishstore in the summer.

The Amazon Nut...
Post InfoPosted 30-Dec-2008 23:25Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Cichlid Kid
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male usa
ok thankyou
Post InfoPosted 31-Dec-2008 02:29Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
Cichlid Kid
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hi just curious but would freezing the feeder or the crayfish kill the parasite internally.i was just curious because i know alot of parasites need a living and breathing host, like the hosts body temperature has to be at a certain point.i know when we rabbit hunt we get home and remove the internal organs then leave the rabbit outside in the snow for a few hours so the fleas and other critters come out of the hair, then we skin and bring inside.my hypothesis is that the parasite in the feeders may die if i freeze them because the body temperature will be too low for them to survive or 2 the temperature will be so low the parastie will leave the body in search of a new host(like the rabbit fleas do). just curious though, and id rather not do it because i like watching them hunt more
Post InfoPosted 31-Dec-2008 04:33Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
DaMossMan
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"would freezing the feeder or the crayfish kill the parasite internally" - most likely, but other things could survive. It would still be a crapshoot, and you lose the 'wiggle factor' that entices the hunt.

Feeder fish from the stores are of poor nutritional quality, and you don't know what they are carrying. If you breed your own, you control the conditions. A crayfish here or there couldn't hurt for a treat but washed, chopped shrimp pretty nice too.

The Amazon Nut...
Post InfoPosted 31-Dec-2008 18:30Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Cichlid Kid
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male usa
ok thanks
Post InfoPosted 31-Dec-2008 23:54Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
Cichlid Kid
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male usa
to i tried a little unseasoned and cooked steak.my oscar loved it.
Post InfoPosted 02-Jan-2009 01:54Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
DaMossMan
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male canada ca-ontario
Oscars enjoy any food that fits in their mouth lol.

Keep it very occasional with meats as they are more fatty then the fishy treats.

The Amazon Nut...
Post InfoPosted 02-Jan-2009 18:11Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Cichlid Kid
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male usa
approximately how often should it be then?
Post InfoPosted 02-Jan-2009 18:45Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
DaMossMan
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Opinions will vary. Once a week ?




The Amazon Nut...
Post InfoPosted 06-Jan-2009 18:09Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
superlion
 
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would freezing the feeder or the crayfish kill the parasite internally?


Not immediately, but after about 3 weeks, frozen fish should be safe from parasites (although freezing does not kill bacteria or viruses).

><>
Post InfoPosted 06-Jan-2009 20:02Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Cichlid Kid
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male usa
ok thank you superlion, thats another good thinkg to remember incase i ever wanted to do it
Post InfoPosted 06-Jan-2009 21:47Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
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