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Post by Sqwee on Aug 28, 2004 19:01:10 GMT -5
On the HB site it mentions that you can feed them frozen beef heart.
I've also read in books that you can feed them meat as long as you trim all the fat off it.
I was wondering if I could feed him venison. My family has alot of it. I't a very lean meat. I've heard it has like 60-some% less cholestoral than beef. It is alot healthier than beef for humans, so I'd assume it would be fine for bettas. What do you guys think?
(Venison = Deer)
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Post by starlight on Aug 28, 2004 19:23:42 GMT -5
You can certainly try it, I think I would. Cut it into teeny-tiny betta sized bites. Feed it raw before anything is added to it. I'd put it on a cutting board and use a razor or very sharp knife. Cut it into little slivers no bigger than a betta-bite. Around this big - You might want to dip in in water just before feeding.
I have a friend who feeds beef heart usually before water changes, his bettas love it. Venison has less fat than beef and might be good. You'll have to see if he likes it. As always remove any uneaten food.
Let us know if he likes it.
(I'll trade you Java Fern for venison)
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Post by Rachel on Aug 28, 2004 19:48:40 GMT -5
I'd also say give it a try and see how it goes. Ah my fellow Wisconsinite, I couldn't help but chuckle at this one! He he!! ;D |
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Post by amanichen on Aug 28, 2004 20:00:31 GMT -5
Part of the problem with feeding terrestrial meat to an aquatic animal are the fats that come with it. They are not digestible by fish stomachs, and consequently a high fat diet can kill a fish (even fat that comes from other fish.)
I've never heard anybody feeding venison to a betta (or a fish for that matter) but if it's leaner than beef it may be better in this respect.
Used ocasionally, meat is ok for bettas. The advantages are that it's high in things like iron, and protein. These nutrients are most useful for non-adult bettas, that is ones who are still maturing. Juveniles are in a period of rapid growth, so their protein requirement is high. Adults used for breeding would also benefit from a bit of extra protein two weeks prior to breeding.
For adult bettas though...
Adult fish need more carbohydrates, and less protein in their diets. If you do give meat to an adult, non-breeding betta, don't make it a large component of its diet.
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Post by Sqwee on Aug 28, 2004 22:47:51 GMT -5
Well, I tried it. I trimmed it VERY carefully, removing all traces of fat and whatnot. I cut it into tiny pieces and gave one to Fenriz. I have never seen him eat so aggressivly. He just attacked it and gobbled it up. I couldn't resist giving him one more tiny piece, and he mauled that one, too. I put the rest of the tiny pieces in the freezer. My betta is probably just over a year old (I've had him about a month).
I wouldn't feed this to him all the time. Everything I've read says balance and variety. By the way he seemed to enjoy it, I'm thinking it may be a good treat now and then (once a week maybe?).
It's really nice, because I have a chest freezer in my garage that's got quite a bit of meat in it, not to mention hunting season is in november, so my dad will be bringing some more home!
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Post by Sqwee on Aug 28, 2004 22:50:16 GMT -5
(I'll trade you Java Fern for venison) The availablility of live aquatic plants around here is kind of slim. Considering the abundance of venison in my freezer, I'd do it in a heartbeat...if I knew of a good way to ship frozen meats... |
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Post by starlight on Aug 28, 2004 23:16:39 GMT -5
The availablility of live aquatic plants around here is kind of slim. Considering the abundance of venison in my freezer, I'd do it in a heartbeat...if I knew of a good way to ship frozen meats... Darn and here I thought I had worked out the ultimate Java Fern trade... |
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Post by starlight on Aug 28, 2004 23:32:17 GMT -5
That's great, my bettas are so jealous. I feed 6-7 different foods so I definitely agree that variety is the key. It sounds like he really liked it. Did you have to wash it or is it pretty clean (I know it's lean, it tastes great when prepared properly) See how he does with it digestion wise. Chances are he'll be fine. If all is well, you could probably work it into his feed schedule.
Now I have to tell 13 bettas to forget about the venison. They aren't gonna like this j/k
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Post by Sqwee on Aug 28, 2004 23:58:33 GMT -5
I didn't wash it. We plan on eating it too, so we are VERY carefull while packaging. We do all the processing ourselves (instead of sending it to a meat locker). We feel its better becuase we have the cuts we want and it's all to our specifications, we can control the sanitation of the enviroment (not have to trust strangers), and we know we are getting OUR deer's meat. Not to mention it's cheaper.
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Lucy
Fry
Sophie my Opaque Female
Posts: 49
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Post by Lucy on Aug 29, 2004 10:41:02 GMT -5
Thats a really great idea, and its awesome that your bettas like it. I might have to try it on my bettas, because lately they won't touch anything except the pellets which I know aren't good for them if it is all they eat. Also, it might be something good to feed bettas that are sick and refuse to eat everything else...just a thought  . Lucy |
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Post by amanichen on Aug 29, 2004 11:02:06 GMT -5
Thats a really great idea, and its awesome that your bettas like it. I might have to try it on my bettas, because lately they won't touch anything except the pellets which I know aren't good for them if it is all they eat. Also, it might be something good to feed bettas that are sick and refuse to eat everything else...just a thought . Lucy If you want you can train your bettas to eat other foods -- it's just a matter of giving the fish nothing but the new food, till it figures out it's not going to get anything else. Usually it'll take them a week to accept a new food. Most carnivores get attached to one type of food, and are resistant to change. If you wanted to incorporate other foods into your betta's diet, it would take time, but it would be worth it =) |
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Lucy
Fry
Sophie my Opaque Female
Posts: 49
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Post by Lucy on Aug 29, 2004 19:51:12 GMT -5
Thanks, I will definately try that, but I know it will be difficult to not feed them what I know they will eat . They usually get a balanced diet that includes 3 or 4 different types of foods, but within the last couple of weeks they have refused to eat anything else besides HBH Betta Bites. Thanks, Lucy |
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