insects in food

[Kittycat]

I have a cannister of brine shrimp treats flake food from Tetra. I noticed recently that there are a bunch of tiny insects in it, white and light brownish looking, smaller than ants. I'm wondering you guys think they are harmful to the fish and I should throw the whole thing out, or if the fish would enjoy eating them? I have no idea where the insects came from, except that maybe they went in at a time when I didn't close the cap right away...

 

[Joviella]

Alot of fish enjoy eating insects........however,it worries me that they are in your flake food. How long have you had it and how long was it exposed to air and other things?
My understanding is that dried foods such as flake can lose their nutritional value after opening and being kept for long periods of time.
Well,it stands to reason really,would you want to eat food that had been hanging around for a while?



*edited to say that in products such as flour,tiny bug like things can appear if left opened but sealed in cupboards for long periods of time!!

 

[Kittycat]

Thanks, I will just throw it out, the insects are gross. It hasn't been too long with me, but God knows how long it was on a store shelf as it was on sale when I got it...

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Kittycat

When we say "live food." this is not exactly what we mean.

Why not take it back to the store? On sale, or not, no one should expect to get contaminated food. At the very least, they should exchange it for another can of it. If they do, open it and be sure it's good before you leave the store.

 

[Kittycat]

Thanks, Inchworm, but it was fine when I opened it at first. I only got the insects after a month or so, I assume after I left it open once (the cap got wet so I let it dry out first). I threw it out.

 

[-cAtFiSh-]

they were probably weevels (sp?) or something
gross

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Yeah. Throwing it out is probably best. It was definitely not something fish should be eating.