Feeding fish to fish...?

[gsiegel]

I have some predator fish including a puffer and ribbon eel that I have fed silversides, clams, and krill.
I have read many posts in this forum that recommend feeding them fresh fish such as mahi, salmon, cod, raw shrimp, and other similar wild caught fish.

I just returned from whole foods where I purchased such fish, but the manager behind the counter suggested that I purchase the ones that just came in that are frozen. He said that they all come in that way and then they defrost them to put them out for sale. This seems to make sense to avoid then refreezing what was already previously frozen. I would then slice them into pieces suitable for the fish to eat and defrost in the tank water with amino's and Selcom. I know that fish eat other fish in the wild but my concern would be any bacteria that may be in the fish that would ordinarily be killed off when cooking for human consumption.

So then am I (or rather the fish) better off feeding the frozen clams, krill, and silversides that come from the fish store, for this food from whole foods?

Thanks, happy 4th, and thanks to all who have served to make this country great!

 

[syrinx]

Very little of the fish that enters the US is inspected. However it is much safer as a rule than fish sold labled "not for human consumption". Silversides can be pretty spoiled to begin with, and often become partially thawed several times in transit. I tend to avoid them and use other foods- including fresh (frozen) fish from a quality market.

 

[Allmost]

I always buy fresh, or live, and freeze myself for 72 hours at least. that will take care of most pathogens. then thaw and feed.

FDA regulations.

 

[gsiegel]

Whole foods told me that their fresh fish comes in frozen and then they defrost for sale
So buy frozen before they defrost or buy defrosted and freeze again?

Would seem to make sense what the mgr suggested to buy frozen before they defrost.

Any concern about bacteria either way or would that concern be less than say silversides or krill from the lfs which is shipped with fewer (if any) regulations?

 

[olemiss reb]

My ribbon eel only eats fish that come from Whole Foods or bluewater fish out of the Gulf. The eel definitely shows the most interest in the fresh caught fish but that's a rare treat as I freeze it quickly and only go bluewater fishing every couple of months. All of my Whole Foods fish has been thawed when purchased- they never offered frozen. I freeze and cut off strips to feed.

I don't use silversides.

 

[Allmost]

Whole foods told me that their fresh fish comes in frozen and then they defrost for sale
So buy frozen before they defrost or buy defrosted and freeze again?

Would seem to make sense what the mgr suggested to buy frozen before they defrost.

Any concern about bacteria either way or would that concern be less than say silversides or krill from the lfs which is shipped with fewer (if any) regulations?

yap buy frozen, and with frozen u wont have to worry about much, [parasite and pathogen wise]

 

[gsiegel]

My ribbon eel only eats fish that come from Whole Foods or bluewater fish out of the Gulf. The eel definitely shows the most interest in the fresh caught fish but that's a rare treat as I freeze it quickly and only go bluewater fishing every couple of months. All of my Whole Foods fish has been thawed when purchased- they never offered frozen. I freeze and cut off strips to feed.

I don't use silversides.

I had asked for the fresh/thawed fish and then told the mgr what I was using it for. He suggested that I get the frozen they had not yet defrosted so to avoid having defrosted and then refreezing. Just food for thought if you want to ask for that the next time you go.

Looks like my guys will be getting a more varried diet. I fed the raw shrimp (sliced a piece of frozen raw shrimp and the puffer was very happy).

 

[syrinx]

Your fish monger is correct that buying frozen and keeping frozen is better for the quality of the fish. For table use this is important because each time a fish is frozen and thawed, ice crystals can pierce the flesh and degrade the texture. This should not be an issue in your case. Your fish guy is also correct in saying the fish is delivered frozen. Even if you live on a warf, many boats flash freeze their catch for optimum freshness. It is then thawed for sale.