Basking

Can Painted Turtles eat Feeder Fish?

Chrysemys picta · Poecilia reticulata

Safe

Once or twice per week for adults

Exotic vet review

Natural prey. Guppies and mollies preferred over goldfish.

Feeding frequency

DailyWeeklyOccasionalNever
Safe

Once or twice per week for adults

OmnivoreProteinNot toxic

The short answer

Natural prey. Guppies and mollies preferred over goldfish.

Feeding it safely

How much / how often

Once or twice per week for adults.

How to prepare

Avoid goldfish regularly — thiaminase enzyme. Use guppies, mollies, or rosy reds.

What's inside

Per 100 g of raw feeder fish

16mg

Calcium

214mg

Phosphorus

0.1:1

Ca:P ratio

INVERTED

18g

Protein

Backed by sources

Feeder fish are natural prey for aquatic turtles.

Stuff that helps

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Basking is here to help you learn — it isn't veterinary advice. For anything specific to your animal, talk to a qualified exotic-animal vet.

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