Feeding and Nutrition :: Pellets from a trout hatchery????

[HomerJTurtle]

Here in Great Falls, Montana we have Giant Springs State park which also has a trout hatchery. I assume the pellets they feed the trout are really good and yummy and nutritious. I was thinking of going and getting some of the pellets to feed my turtles and koi. Would it be ok to do???

[BullDog]

Trout and turtles have very different nutritional needs, as you can imagine.
Unless you know whats in the pellets and what the nutritional info is (most importantly, calcium and phosphorous), I would stick to you known brand of TURTLE pellets.

If you think they're OK for the koi, and your koi are with your RES in a pond or something, it would be OK for them to eat a few if they stole them from the koi, but they shouldn't be a staple.

[Chrisbarnett]

I feed trout chow to my axolotl. It's his staple diet.

It would be great for Koi, as it stimulates growth and coloring, because the trout hatcheries need the fish to grow fast and they need their colors to be vibrant.

But for turtles, it does not have the high protein, calcium levels, etc. since it's formulated for fish.

If your turtle gets a few every now and then, it's definitely not going to be detrimental. Just don't make them a staple.

[HomerJTurtle]

I was thinking about making it their staple but, it doesnt sound like I should. I can get it for 5 cents a handful LOL

[Chrisbarnett]

That's really cheap for trout chow. I got a large bin of it for like 5bucks.

No definitely not a staple. Stick with Reptomin or one of the other reputable brands.