Are bloodworms good?

[OC Discus]

Kelly,

I don't know why some people wont respond to a question until they feel like they can slam someone else's answer. But to your last question, for the first 6-12 months, maybe 24 months, all they eat will contribute to growth. After they are fully grown, many cut back on feeding to prevent what you are referring to. I'm sure someone else has a better answer. But that's mine and I'm sticking to it.

[nc0gnet0]

Well common sense tells you not to eat dehydrated food and drink a bunch of water. Our eat such if you live in an aquatic habitat. That makes sense.

it also tells you that as soon as a freeze dried natural food hits the water, it will re-absorb the water. In theory if the fish in question where to manage to eat enough freeze dried product that was indeed dry, bloat could be an issue, however, this is nearly impossible to do in quantity. The fact that the worms do re-absorb the water so quickly, make them much less prone to bloat as other conventional foods such as a pellet. Also, I might add, that they are (the freeze dried product) much easier to digest than a commercial product, not having any glutens or other cr@p in them that are harder on the fish's digestive tract.

My question more pertains to the nutrient absorbtion of foods. With my dogs, there is a point where increased intake of nutrients has no effect. It gets capped out. And with fish that may negatively affect the quality of their environment in a way that may be preventable.

If your asking if overfeeding can lead to issues in an aquarium, the answer is yes.

[MSD]

If you are worried about bloat just presoak the freeze dried worms in some aquarium water.

[ericNH]

Well common sense tells you not to eat dehydrated food and drink a bunch of water. Our eat such if you live in an aquatic habitat. That makes sense. My question more pertains to the nutrient absorbtion of foods. With my dogs, there is a point where increased intake of nutrients has no effect. It gets capped out. And with fish that may negatively affect the quality of their environment in a way that may be preventable.

There are tons of studies with Mammals about this, was wondering if anyone has studied this in discus.

I like the question, klannin. It is exactly the kind that I'd like to hear answered. +1!

[ericNH]

That being said I feed my discus like the carnivorous pigs they are. I've read it somewhere that "you can overfeed your tank, but you can't overfeed your fish." But I've also read this is not true for Bettas, so take this all with a grain of salt.

[klannin]

Well, like with dogs, cheap foods that contain more filler ingredients that go undigested have higher output. Now going raw, although most of the contents is water, because it is easily digested by the dog the output is far less. The dog is utilizing more of the nutrients.

Now the problem with feeding this type of diet is replicating the nutritional dynamics of a natural raw diet. And including the natural fibers dogs get. Unless you let them graze on grass, which the will. I for one do feed a quality kibble, so I doubt have to worry.

But with fish, increased output will have serious negative effects. I think a lot of you guys look at the frozen food package and see the moisture content. But forget what you are paying for may be a food that is cleaner and better for the fish. I don't know, though. There are tons of studies on this I have read but they are on dogs.

[nc0gnet0]

I think a lot of you guys look at the frozen food package and see the moisture content. But forget what you are paying for may be a food that is cleaner and better for the fish. I don't know, though

This might apply to a frozen vs processed food comparison, but I don't think it applies at all to a frozen vs freeze dried comparison.