Vitamin Supplements?

[annarawrr]

Hi guys, I've decided to give my water snake a mostly fish diet with any other "seafood" I can find. It will vary between dead fish and live fish. I know a vitamin supplement is recommended for such a diet, but I couldn't find a specific snake supplement at the pet store. There was a "carnivorous reptile" supplement, is that appropriate? They also had turtle supplements. I think it came in wafer form, like the tiny pellets you feed small tropical fish like tetras and bettas. It also said to feed it to the reptile every day, and of course I don't feed my snake every day. That, or to put it in his water which is pretty much his entire habitat... So my questions are:

1. Is a vitamin for carnivorous reptiles enough, or do I need a specific snake supplement? Is there a brand anyone can recommend?

2. How should I feed it to him? If it comes in wafer or pellet form I guess I could put them inside the fish slices I give him, but how about when I feed him live fish?

[stephanbakir]

You shouldn't need to supplement if the food you are feeding him includes intestines and bone.

[annarawrr]

I'm going to feed him live feeders and parts from fish fillets (tilapia, cod and salmon, whenever they're available!) so there will be a mixture of whole fish and just parts of fish. If I feed him like this, do I still need to supplement with vitamins?

[KD35WIN.AS.ONE]

It shouldn't be a problem, im no expert in this field of "diet for water snakes" but as long as you incorporate the right amount of live feeders; you shouldn't have a problem.

[NennaMeerkat]

I would stay away from goldfish they are supposed to be very fatty fish for any animals that eat them. I mean I assume that your snake would be eating a store bought fish diet... you might also consider frogs. Getting frog eggs from the wild and hatching them in a controlled environment might give you more natural food as well.

[annarawrr]

Thanks KD35! I'll feed him more live fish then!

And thanks NennaMeerkat, I used to love hatching tadpoles and frogs as a kid XD They're a bit harder to find nowadays cos I no longer live near a pond but I'll definitely keep your advice in mind! Yes, I'm currently feeding him store bought fish, I'm still trying to find somewhere from which to buy lots of minnows at low prices!

[NennaMeerkat]

You might try bait shops for live minnows. I knew some at my hometown (southern US though) that sold all sorts of live fish baits. It isn't something people typically think of. OH! And Guppies might be a good choice. They are minnow-ish in size, can be easily taken care of for a few days to give a good diet, and might have a low fat content.

[annarawrr]

I tried looking for guppies at the pet store yesterday but they didn't have any, they have different stuff every week so I'll have a look again in a few days! I don't think we have any bait stores here, I live in the middle of the city and fishing isn't very popular! My uncle owns a fish farm of sorts so I may be able to score some free minnows off him XD

[NennaMeerkat]

Ooo yay for Uncle! Boo for city living! :P

[marionsclan]

I tried looking for guppies at the pet store yesterday but they didn't have any, they have different stuff every week so I'll have a look again in a few days! I don't think we have any bait stores here, I live in the middle of the city and fishing isn't very popular! My uncle owns a fish farm of sorts so I may be able to score some free minnows off him XD

Minnows reproduce fairly quickly so maybe you can set up a little tank with feeder minnows? Or the other two water snake owners and you could chip in and get a larger supply?

[annarawrr]

Strangely enough half his fish farm is IN the city! His own back yard is essentially one huge fish pond with stepping stones for you to get through XD Hopefully he'll give me some fish and maybe even some earthworms if he has any! :D

[NennaMeerkat]

You might find frogs around there as well! Course you might have to wait until Spring next year to get any frog eggs/tadpoles.

[annarawrr]

I doubt it, I'm sure the fish and turtles eat the frogs and their eggs! Oh, frogs here breed pretty much all year round. It's the magic of having summer every day! XD

[marionsclan]

I doubt it, I'm sure the fish and turtles eat the frogs and their eggs! Oh, frogs here breed pretty much all year round. It's the magic of having summer every day! XD

There are tank dividers which you could put in so that your snake can go over it but it will keep the eggs and fish separate. That way your snake can chose what's for dinner. :)