Fish has a lot of minerals like iron, iodine, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. It also has a lot of vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. You might think this makes them a good choice for your Bearded Dragon, since they need calcium in their food. If you want to keep your Bearded Dragon healthy, you should never give it fish, whether it’s live, raw, cooked, fresh, or canned.
As a bearded dragon owner, I’m always interested in learning more about their dietary requirements. Recently, I was wondering – can a bearded dragon eat fish? I did some research and want to share what I learned, in case it helps other beardie owners out there.
Bearded dragons are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal matter. Their ideal diet consists of:
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Plants – around 80% of their diet should be leafy greens and veggies.
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Insects – around 20% of their diet should come from insects like crickets, dubia roaches and worms. This provides them with protein.
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Calcium powder supplement
It’s important to get this balance right. Too many insects can cause obesity. Not enough can lead to calcium and vitamin deficiencies.
Now let’s get back to the original question – where does fish fall into their dietary needs?
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Fish?
After doing some research, I learned that fish is not recommended for bearded dragons. There are a few reasons why:
1. Risk of Bones
Fish contains small bones that can pose a choking hazard or cause impactions if swallowed by a beardie. Their digestive system is not designed to properly process bones.
2. High Fat Content
Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids. While these fats are healthy for humans, too much can lead to obesity in beardies since they are not as active in captivity.
3. Parasites and Bacteria
Raw fish may contain harmful parasites like tapeworms or bacteria like salmonella. These can make your bearded dragon sick.
4. Too Much Protein
While insects offer protein, too much protein from fish can stress your beardie’s liver and lead to health issues.
5. Toxins
Some types of fish contain heavy metals like mercury. Over time, toxins can build up in your dragon’s body if they eat contaminated fish.
6. Lack of Thiamin
Fish like goldfish lack thiamin, a crucial B vitamin for bearded dragons. This can lead to deficiency over time.
Better Animal Protein Sources for Bearded Dragons
Instead of fish, there are better options for giving your bearded dragon animal protein. Popular feeder insects include:
- Crickets
- Dubia roaches
- Mealworms
- Superworms
- Waxworms (as treats, high in fat)
- Hornworms
- Silkworms
For adult dragons, an occasional pinky mouse can also be offered as a treat. Just be sure any insects are gut loaded (fed nutritious foods before being given to your beardie) to boost their nutritional value.
I also recommend avoiding wild-caught insects, as they could contain pesticides or other contaminants.
Other Animal Products to Avoid
While fish should definitely be avoided, there are some other animal products that aren’t recommended either:
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Reptile or fish pellets – Made for other species and lack proper nutrition.
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Beef, chicken, pork – Too high in fat and phosphorus.
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Hot dogs, lunch meat, bacon – High in fat, salt and preservatives.
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Dog or cat food – Not nutritionally formulated for bearded dragons.
The Importance of Calcium
One nutrient bearded dragons need in abundance from their diet is calcium. Without proper calcium levels, they are at risk for metabolic bone disease.
Signs of MBD include:
- Swollen limbs
- Rubbery or soft jaw
- Twitching
- Trouble walking or moving
- Lethargy
To prevent this, use calcium supplements. Dust insects with calcium powder prior to feeding 2-3 times a week. You can use vitamin D3 calcium powders to help with absorption.
Having the proper temps and UVB lighting in your habitat is also crucial for calcium metabolism.
Summary: Should You Feed Your Bearded Dragon Fish?
While fish contains beneficial nutrients, it does not make up a natural part of a bearded dragon’s diet in the wild. The risks of feeding fish outweigh any potential benefits.
For protein, turn to healthy feeder insects like dubia roaches. Make sure to gut load them for added nutrition. Dust them with calcium supplements to prevent deficiencies.
Leafy greens, veggies and some fruits should make up the majority of their diet. Avoid unhealthy animal products like hot dogs or lunch meat.
Can Bearded Dragons Eat Meat at All?
Bearded dragons are omnivores, which means they eat animal and plant-based food. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll be preparing them a nice juicy steak anytime soon. Appropriate animal-based protein sources include Dubia roaches, mealworms, silkworms, hornworms, and crickets. They also like superworms and waxworms, but since they are high in fat, you shouldn’t give them to your Beardie every day. Larger Bearded Dragons can also be fed young mice, also known as “pinkies. ”.
Before giving insects to your Bearded Dragon, make sure to dust them with calcium or “gut load” them to make them more nutritious. This involves feeding store-bought insects nutritious food 24–48 hours before giving them to your Beardie. Depending on your Bearded Dragon’s age, they should eat 50% animal- and 50% plant-based material. But be sure to discuss their diet with your veterinarian if you are unsure.
Why Can’t You Feed Your Bearded Dragon Fish?
There are many reasons you should avoid feeding fish to your Bearded Dragon. First, they simply don’t need it in their diet, and secondly, fish poses many risks.
- Bones: Your Bearded Dragon can choke on bones, and they can also suffocate and hurt its internal organs.
- Fat: Fish has omega-3 fatty acids, which are generally thought to be good for you. But Bearded Dragons that live as pets don’t get as much exercise as wild Bearded Dragons. This makes it simple for them to get fat. So, you’ll need to limit the fat in their diet.
- There are parasites and bacteria in fish, but they are more common in raw fish. Your Bearded Dragon could get parasites like tapeworms from eating fish.
- Protein: It’s important for your bearded dragon to eat protein, but too much can cause liver disease and diabetes.
- Toxins: Heavy metals like lead and mercury can be found in fish and build up in your Bearded Dragon’s body over time.
- Vitamin B1: Bearded Dragons need thiamine, also known as vitamin B1. However, some fish, like goldfish and red minnows, have an enzyme that stops them from absorbing vitamin B1.
Bearded dragon mushu eats fish
Can bearded dragons eat fish?
Bearded dragons should not eat fish. Any fish. That means cooked, raw, feeders, all of it. Bearded dragons just don’t need fish, and it presents a lot of risks. Here are some reasons why feeding your bearded dragon fish is not a good idea: Bones. An obvious case against fish (especially feeders) is the bones.
What can bearded dragons not eat?
Fish – Some reptiles and turtles are able to eat fish but not bearded dragons. Fish is like a farm of bacteria and parasites so it is not a good choice as it is also poisonous to your bearded dragon. Processed Meats – There is very little for a dragon to gain from turkey, ham, chicken, beef, and any other meat that you can think of.
What should I do if my bearded dragon is not eating?
If you have a sick bearded dragon that will not or cannot eat on its own, you can make a slurry so that it will be easy to hand feed and provide valuable nourishment.
What do bearded dragons eat?
Bearded dragons are omnivores, and they get their animal-based protein from insects. However, the insects must be gut-loaded to ensure they provide the right nutritional balance for your Bearded Dragon to keep them healthy. If you are unsure about what to feed your Bearded Dragon, contact your vet for advice.