Blethly

Just wondering if anyone has ever tried lima beans. my guys like zuccini, peas, and carrots so far. i'm only asking cause i accidently bought a bag of them while getting peas (thats what i get for not checking the bag!!!) and no one in the house will eat them lol. so in order to keep them from going to waste.... any advice would be appriciated!

aquarist48

Try a couple and see what happens. I don't see that it would do any harm. If you see they aren't being eaten then simply remove them. Let us know how it turns out.

Blethly

sure thing!! i'm gunna give them a shot later on!!!

Shawnie

what fish are you feeding them to? also, freeze the bag to make it last longer if they like them!! and always remove any leftovers after 24 hours ...do let us know!

joy1125

Beth, thanks for bringing up lima beans ! I made a nice lima bean paste today for my goldies. THEY LOVED THEM !!!!!!!!

haedra

Well, if fish like lima beans, that will be the only way they will ever end up in my house. I will not touch that veg. with a 10 foot pole.

I just had to say that.

joy1125

Beth, thought I'd share this "recipe" with you and whomever else may be interested.

It's homemade gel food, which is basically blended up veggies/fish meat mixed with nonflavored gelatin.

I just did a tray of it. You put your veggie ingredients into a blender (cup of kale, carrots, broccoli--- blanch the kale and any hard veggies first), add a can of mackerel fish, sardines or tuna (canned in WATER only, no oil), and blend well.
Pour into a bowl.

Then prepare the gelatin (I use 5 Knox unflavored packets.)
Pour the gelatin into the bowl w/ the veggie/meat and mix well. Then pour mixture into a 9x13 pan to a depth of around 1 inch, chill in frig, viola ! The next day, you cut a small cube of the gel, it sinks down into the aquarium .... fish love it.

A pan makes quite a bit, you can take what you'll need for the week, and cut the rest into large squares, place in ziploc bags and freeze them.

I can't take credit for thinking this up myself, I got the basic recipe from a goldfish forum a while ago, and now create my own concoctions. You can add to it whatever your fish may prefer. Tonite I added lima beans

Blethly

Thanks!! i saw a similar recipie on another post and thought i'd give it a try. they used fish flakes insted of real fish. but its a good idea. and i like the fact that its all together. my fish aren't to fond of eating veggies so tis would be a great way to make them more appealing. have you tried any other fish? do you think tuna would work? in water of course. i always have tons of that on hand lol.

Blethly

haha now that i read your post closer i see you suggested tuna lol.... guess i should read things better before i post a reply

joy1125

yes, tuna's fine also, I've used that. But I mostly go big on the veggies, but only because my fish are primarily herbivores, meat isn't given all the time. I don't know what kind of fish you have, but if they're mostly carnivores, you could do the reverse-- mix more different meats, with less veggie.

btw, you gotta try it, it's so convenient having the food all done and ready! It takes like maybe 10 mintues to make. I did mine about 3 hours ago, and already the gelatin is firm.

Shawnie

I also make my own joy...its a great idea everyone!! and much much cheaper....throwing in a multi vitamin to the mixture is a bonus ...Id just like to throw in that using anything canned meatwise , isnt always good..theres a ton of salt in them and if you can get fresh pieces from your deli, its much better..too much salt with fish, can cause bloat just like with humans

Blethly

didn't think about that but it makes sense. the tuna i've got has veggie stock in it also and just 2 oz of drained fish has 180mg of sodium!!! yes way to much!!! when using fresh fish should i cook it first? no oil or anything involved. i would most likely poach it. any toughts? I'm also guessing that frozen wouldn't work either... they tend to inject them with preservatives and such. i've seen a recipie that uses fish flakes or pellets insted of acctual fish. that seems like a good idea to me. that way your sure the fishies are getting the right vitamins and minerals.

btw, i tried the lima beans last night. i was stupid and put their regular food in first... so i didn't expect them to eat much of it. and they didn't. one peice looks to have been picked at bit, but thats it. i'm taking it out and trying again tomarrow. this time i'm gunna put it in first lol. I'll let you all know how it goes!

Shawnie

I use fresh raw beefheart, shrimp, haddock, salmon , crab, and just about anything that im having for dinner, I cut off chunks for my homeade food...IMO, fresh raw is the best as others have too much ickies in it LOL

Blethly

well i spoke to soon. i just went to take out the lima beans and all i can find is a really small peices that my rosybarbs were in the process of divouring lol. so i guess lima beans are a go!!!

joy1125

who'd have thought limas would be such a taste-treat ? Pretty funny how most people hate them, yet fish love them . lol

Shawnie, yep with canned meat and even canned veggies, you gotta watch out for salt ! I use the SEASON brand mackerel, it's labeled 'no salt added', and packed in water. I get it at Stop & Shop, in case you --- oops, I mean your fishes --- want to try it . But thanks for the tip, I better check my sardine cans for salt !

Shawnie

thanks joy! its easier for me to feed them fresh as I get it often

joy1125

I made a carrot, peas and green beans gel today, and tossed in a vitamin C--
thanks for the tip Shawnie! (these fish are gonna be healthier than me ! hehee )

btw, the fish LOVED it, not a morsel left in the tank.

Lucy

Touche'