The Puffer Forum

Would it be ok to feed a F8 small garden slugs as part of a mixed diet? I know they don't have the crunch of snails so that benefit wouldn't be there, but it seems like the meat would appeal similarly to a snail. Is there any issue with parasites or toxicity? It's gardening season and small slugs will be easy to come by

The local slugs do tend to have defensive toxins to help protect then from predators. I would not use them in my tanks.

BTW, I an not far NW of you, in Fredrick county, so our slugs are likely quite similar if not identical.

Thanks, I wondered about that. Worms ok though? I do have a healthy breeding population of snails though so my F8's a happy camper.

If your garden is organic, earthworms are likely okay. Obviously they have zero crunch factor, so should be occasional treats only. Home-reared snails have always been the mainstay of my F-8 diets, with some "treat" foods added for variety.