Peas

[JBtheExplorer]

I've read quite a few sources that say peas can be good for goldfish, but I'd like to know if that is true and if there is anything negative from feeding them peas. I'm growing a small garden this year for the first time and I'm considering adding peas just for the fish.

 

[addy1]

From a different koi heavy forum they feed the fish peas a lot, they do take the skin off the pea, guess the fish can not digest the skin, but they love the insides.

 

[Dave 54]

Yes we use frozen peas defrosted and the skins taken off them , however peas can have a laxative like effect on your fish which is why many combine them with worms to clear out the stomachs of goldfish after they have caused poresure on the swimbladder to occur through over eating .
Weve done a number of threads on koi nurtition in the form of free garden grown food both live frozen and organic :-

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/a-look-at-alternate-foods-for-your-koi-and-goldfish.10500/

https://www.gardenpondforum.com/threads/organic-compost-heap-a-free-source-of-food.10513/

Feel free to use these threads if you wish

Dave

 

[shakaho]

If the goldfish is big enough to take a full pea, it will have no trouble with the skin. When feeding smaller goldies, microwave peas,skin them and feed the halves. For babies or sick fish, squish the halves before feeding. I dutifully pealed the peas for a year before I wondered why I was doing it. Oh, yes, someone on the internet said to do it, because he read it on the internet.

 

[dieselplower]

I feed mine peas sometimes. All I do is make sure they are thawed and then smash it in my fingers so the shell pops and the insides come out. Throw the whole thing in. They can eat whatever parts they want. Dont smash it too much though.... could get messy

 

[bettasngoldfish]

I never take the skins off either but I do squish them before putting them in the tank/pond. You can also buy canned peas, just make sure they have no salt added.

 

[Dave 54]

If the goldfish is big enough to take a full pea, it will have no trouble with the skin. When feeding smaller goldies, microwave peas,skin them and feed the halves. For babies or sick fish, squish the halves before feeding. I dutifully pealed the peas for a year before I wondered why I was doing it. Oh, yes, someone on the internet said to do it, because he read it on the internet.

Fish cannot digest the celulose in the peas skin its the same as lettuce.
If your feeding lettuce you should quickly dip it in hot water before feeding as this helps break it down

Dave

 

[Tula]

Dave, How do you peel your peas? I wonder if they sell ones that are already peeled.

 

[Mmathis]

I popped one into the water the other day, but it didn't POP -- just sorta flew off into the water, shell and all. About 3 of the fish went after it, but their mouths weren't big enough to get it in their mouths, so they played green-pea soccer until a bigger fish came along....

 

[mrsclem]

I feed the baby canned peas all the time. Fresh peas right out of the garden? No way- those are mine and never make it to the kitchen

 

[Mmathis]

LMAO!! This thread brings back newbie memories [oh, but I'm still a newb, so does that mean they were "pre-newb" memories?].

I still remember the very first time I read somewhere [here, maybe....?] about feeding PEELED GREEN PEAS.....say what? I had visions of literally PEELING a tiny green pea -- like peeling a banana or an orange -- a skit from The Three Stooges or Laurel & Hardy -- using a teeny, tiny little knife..... I thought, "Those people are CRAZY and WAY too much into this fish hobby!"

Of course, at the time I hadn't thought it through, that you could just POP the pea out of it's shell, but I will never forget how I laughed out loud at THOSE CRAZY PEOPLE!

....... and now I'm one of 'em......
__________________________

I just started doing the "green pea thing," but I bought a bag of frozen peas. I microwave however many I need in water for a few minutes, and let them cool before I feed them to the fish. Hubby suggested canned peas, but even the "no salt added" ones have some kinds of preservatives in them [don't they?]. I also thought about baby food peas in a jar [no preservatives]. I used some in my fry gel food recipe, but haven't tried them from-the-jar on the fish yet. It might work, but seems like that would be messier than using the real thing.