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should i feed my barbs some goldfish when they get bigger?

cus my friend use to do that and it puts on a good show

55 gallon 1 rtbsm, 2 khuli loaches,2 gold rams 1m1f,1 leapord highfin pleco,6 black phantoms
2 odessa barbs ,1 tire track eel,2 green severums

What kind of barbs? Most barbs don't even get that big to be able to eat goldfish... In fact, Goldfish get bigger than most barbs, and even the feeders come larger than many barbs would be able to consume at adult size.

I'd avoid goldfish in particular as food. First of all, they are pretty fatty; they're basically the McDonald's equivalent of live food. That's pretty crazy unhealthy. On top of this, live fish from the store often can be quite diseased, so it's not all that safe to use them as food even if they weren't fatty.

That stuff aside, many Barbs do not consume a whole lot of fish matter in their diets, usually preferring invertebrates or plant materials. There are many healthier alternatives to goldfish anyway. For example, frozen foods from the LFS that are defrosted will offer a good treat.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Well I can think of one Barb that would grow big enough to regard Goldfish as food, but somehow I don't think anyone will be keeping the Mahaseer, Barbus tor, in an aquarium in a hurry, given that this is a fish that will reach 70 lbs in weight with ease, and large ones can reach - wait for it seven feet in length ...

Anglers like this fish. It fights on the line. Oh, boy does it fight. It's known as the Tiger Of The River in India. Which gives some indication of how feisty it is, especially when you remember that Cyprinids do not possess mandibular teeth, only pharyngeal ones ...


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002

ok so back to the original topic..... your tiger barbs will never ever be able to eat those fish, and plus you risk putting disease in your tanks with cheap-o feeder fish that really arent taken care of. Feed your fish freeze dried bloodworms, tubifex worms, baby shrimp, frozen fish food... etc etc.. the list can go on.. go to your local chain store...!!!!

72 gallon bowfront:Tanganyikan Lake set up
75 gallon: A. Baenschi trio,Cyanotilapia Afra Cobwe(4), copadichromis trewavase, protomelas sp. tangerine tiger(breeding pair)

go to your local chain store

Yes and do some research please. Barbs can't eat goldfish. Most barbs don't even eat other fish.

it puts on a good show

That's cruel.

*Kristin*

I agree with GirlieGirl. Not nice

Another thing is that goldfish tanks carry a TON of diseases that are usually untreated (In my experience anyway) Not only is this unhealthy for the goldies, but you are risking transfering diseases to your fish.

You may wont to try some worm cubes instead ^_^

Inky

I'm afraid you're getting into fish keeping for the wrong reasons. FISH ARE PETS NOT TOYS. Feeders should be fed to fish on rare occasions and not as a source of amusement. The feeders won't beef up your fish as someone else said but will most likely do harm to your fish. The feeders create a huge mess, transmit disease, and can promote aggresion amoung the fish. The feeders are a bad source of nutrition and a good commercial food is the best diet.

When you said "cus my friend use(d) to do that and it puts on a good show" I'm assuming the fish are either dead or he has stopped doing this. Either way it should tell you that it is not a good idea.

20 Gallon Long:
Aquaclear 300
2 Bolivian Rams, Mikrogeophagus altispinosus: Gumby and Pokey

The barbs aren't even going to get big enough to eat goldfish so there's no point in discussing it. Nothing that fits in a 15g is going to get big enough to eat goldfish. All they really need are flakes. If you want to add some variety you can use freeze dried or frozen foods.