Probiotics?

[SeaWitch]

I was wondering if anyone here uses probiotics for their fish and if so, what kind do you use and how often? I have used JumpStart, but wonder if there is a better one to use?

[thomasn]

Saki hikari fancy goldfish, 3-4 times daily

[suphi]

Be careful about the purple (color-enhancement) Saki, as it can cause color smear in adult red & white fish if used too much. I'm going to use the green one (plain) from now on. Unfortunately, you can only get green Saki via importers at present.

I've been using Wardley's goldfish granule while waiting to get green Saki from Paul, and the interesting thing is that my SVRs with swimbladder problem seem to have less buoyancy issue with this food.:youtellme:

[small_ranchu]

I've been using Wardley's goldfish granule while waiting to get green Saki from Paul, and the interesting thing is that my SVRs with swimbladder problem seem to have less buoyancy issue with this food.:youtellme:
Hi,
I am just curious, do you keep everything, such as feeding amount, frequency, water change, the same except food?

[SeaWitch]

Also, I would like to know if the Wardley brand has less protein than others? I have found that my SBD fish can't tolerate high amounts of protein in their diet, which is why I started making my own food for them.

I like the JumpStart from Rick, but it causes floatiness in my SBD fish, so I can't use it as often as I would like. I want to try and give my fish probiotics at least twice a week. I guess I could add them into my homemade food, though.

[suphi]

My routine has been the same.

[bekko]

Has anyone ever seen probiotics suitable for putting into goldfish gel food? You can buy probiotic additives for humans and fish food with it already added.

-steve

[*Ci*]

I grind up JumpStart and add it to my Gel food. Same with Pro Gold.
I only feed gel food, but I don't want the fish to miss out on anything that the pellets may contain, so in they go!

[SeaWitch]

Thanks so much, Ci! I was thinking that I should just put them in my gel food.:exact: I only feed gel food, as well, other than peas and some other veggis.

[bekko]

The probiotic bacteria in a moist gel food will literally eat the other ingredients. I am not sure of the ramifications, but doubt that it is a big problem.

-steve

[SeaWitch]

Steve, what probiotics do you recommend?

[bekko]

Don't know Nickie. They are only available in fish food which is too expensive for me.

-steve

[suphi]

I'm not sure probiotic is really necessary. Personally, I think it's all marketing. Healthy fish should have more than enough beneficial bacteria in their GI tract to help digest foods.

I use saki hikari because of the small size and quality, I don't care much whether it has probiotic or not.

[SeaWitch]

Yes, I agree that it is expensive to buy a food just for the probiotics in them. My fish are healthy for the most part, considering that all but one are very bad quality fish. I do have some SBD fish, but probiotics will not help that. I have heard of some people who give their fish yogurt. However, I can't see feeding my fish dairy on a regular basis like that. I wouldn't think it would be good for them.:youtellme:

[CStufft]

For fish that have been treated with antibiotics I have been feeding, once a day, a small amount of plain, unflavored yogurt. It holds up in the water pretty well, and the fish seem to really love it. I don't know if the probiotics in the active culture are appropriate for fish, but I figure if my doctor recommends yogurt for me after a round of antibiotics, I am sure it doesn't hurt the fish????

In dry foods, I personally question the availablity of any probiotic added to the foods. I think that there is a better chance of useable bacteria in the fresh yogurt.

Chris