Human Vitamins for fish?

[goldenpuon]

I was discussing this on another thread with Bill how vitamins designed for humans can be used for fish if mixed in with their water.

My question is what types and how do you know if they are safe? I'd imagine a kid's vitamin with all kinds of stuff added to it for color and favor would be a major no no.

Thanks. Renee

Note: Sorry about discontinuing our discussion on the other thread Bill. But I felt like it was totally off topic in regards to Sammie's frog being sick. So this needed its own thread.

[Carl]

I have always used liquid vitamins, but I am sure powdering a dry vitamin would work as well.

What I have found important is that since freshwater fish do not drink the water around them (see: Aquarium Answers; Do Fish Drink?) it is not nearly as effective to add directly to the tank water versus soaking fish food in water and these vitamins for about 15 minutes prior to feeding.

Carl

[goldenpuon]

I just realized that putting it in the water wouldn't work so well when refreshed by memory on how freshwater fish don't "drink" much water.

So you're saying as from the article that fish need the following minerals. Would it be ok to powder any of these into their food? In what amounts can I give it to them?


Calcium
Sodium
Potassium
Phosphorus
Molybdenum
Manganese
Iron
Magnesium
Sulfates
Cobalt

Like humans, I'd imagine it is possible for fish to get too much. (If you have heard of kids overdoing it on vitamins to the point of being harmful to them.) So that is why I asked for amounts.

Also, I am VERY worried about something else (like preservation, colorings, etc. in the capsule that would be harmful/deadly to the fish. Could you tell me what would be safe and what not? I have a lot of vitamins at home that look like they're purely the vitamin itself (nothing added) but I want to be sure. Particularly if I give it to my fish (I don't want to wake up to a tank of dead fish in the morning from what I gave them.)

Thanks.

Renee

[goldenpuon]

I found two vitamins you listed in my house. Calcium and Magnesium. There may also be Iron, Potassium, and possibly Phosphorus in the house.

I also found vitamins D, A, E, and Biotin in the house that aren't on your list.

The Magnesium is a hard pill and not in a powder or liquid. It is made by Sundown Naturals. Its ingredients (besides Magnesium Oxide) are: Vegetable Cellulose, Dicalcium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, and Titanium Dioxide Color.

The calcium is in a liquid capsule. It is made by Natures Bounty. Its ingredients besides Vitamin D (as Cholecalciferol) and Calcium (as Calcium Carbonate) are: Soybean Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Soy Lecithin, and Titanium Oxide Color.

[Carl]

Many of the minerals you listed are only necessary in very trace amounts which as quality fish should supply and supplementing these would not be necessary or even desirable; such as Sulfates.

Your best bet is to only supplement with anti-oxidant (redox Reducers) such as Vitamin C, E, & some A as well as B vitamins for energy conversion.
As for mineral simply powdering a wonder Shell into the food soak prior to feeding will provide the necessary minerals in the proper amounts/ratios

Carl

[bikeguy33]

great call on starting a new thread here renee!!!

[goldenpuon]

Thanks for the info Carl.

So the fish food will provide most of it? That is very good.

I could try vitamins A, E, C, and B. But how often should I add them and in what quantities? (Sorry for asking this again. I just don't want to saturate my fish with vitamins.

Last, if the ingredients on the A, E, C, and B vitamins as the calcium and magnesium I mentioned, will they be safe for my fish? Thanks.

[Carl]

Apr 9, 2010 12:13:06 GMT -5 goldenpuon said:

Last, if the ingredients on the A, E, C, and B vitamins as the calcium and magnesium I mentioned, will they be safe for my fish? Thanks.

Yes, these are safe.

When I soaked fish food in vitamins/minerals; I only performed this about once per week, bu this is not a scientific answer, just a "guesstimate"

I will also note, that as for important fatty acids & Vitamin E, it Omega 3 that fish need the most, and unfortunately many human supplements do not always have this, rather Omega 6 is often substituted as it is cheaper (such as Flax Seed oil over Fish oil) Flax seed oil does not provide the best oils needed by fish.
See the Fats section in this article for more:
Fish Nutrition; More about Omega 3 & 6

Carl

[goldenpuon]

Thanks Carl. I will give it to them this weekend. I believe that there may be Omega 3 in my house (yes, I know I have a lot of vitamins in my house, my mom believes in taking a lot. lol)

I'll check to see if I have it. Thanks for your help.