what do you think of this.......

[bekko]

..... excerpt:

Carps and Cows
As a matter of fact, researchers studying Carp nutrition have concluded that their degree of digestion is astonishingly similar to that of a cow. The digestive enzymes of a Carp are only one eighth as efficient at digesting protein as are those of a Pike, which is carnivorous, while the Carp’s carbohydrate digestion is 1,000 times more efficient than that of a Pike. On the other hand, researchers have learned that a fish’s ability to digest certain foods is improved with familiarity; that is, if it is fed the same foods regularly it digests them better. Based on this, it would seem that any change in our fish’s diet should be made gradually, and no more often than necessary.
Supplementing a fish’s diet can be done at any time. This is particularly valuable when live food is the supplement. It seems that live food contains factors which are necessary to our fishes’ well-being, and apparently even small quantities can supply enough of these vital factors to make a difference in the overall nutrition of the fish.

Dr. Yoshiichi Matsui, Professor of Fish Culture, Kinki University, Japan. In: Goldfish Guide - Second Edition. 1981. T.F.H. Publications Inc. ISBN 0-87666-545-8

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by bekko ..... excerpt: Carps and Cows As a matter of fact, researchers studying Carp nutrition have concluded that their degree of digestion is astonishingly similar to that of a cow. The digestive enzymes of a Carp are only one eighth as efficient at digesting protein as are those of a Pike, which is carnivorous, while the Carp’s carbohydrate digestion is 1,000 times more efficient than that of a Pike. On the other hand, researchers have learned that a fish’s ability to digest certain foods is improved with familiarity; that is, if it is fed the same foods regularly it digests them better. Based on this, it would seem that any change in our fish’s diet should be made gradually, and no more often than necessary. Supplementing a fish’s diet can be done at any time. This is particularly valuable when live food is the supplement. It seems that live food contains factors which are necessary to our fishes’ well-being, and apparently even small quantities can supply enough of these vital factors to make a difference in the overall nutrition of the fish. Dr. Yoshiichi Matsui, Professor of Fish Culture, Kinki University, Japan. In: Goldfish Guide - Second Edition. 1981. T.F.H. Publications Inc. ISBN 0-87666-545-8

This makes a lot of sense.

[dick benbow]

Thanks for bringing that report to our attention, Steve.....

As in most techical information there are some adaptations as to how we can assimilate the information and use it.

For some, the information of digestion verses protein or carbos could be used to make a case for more carbos.....

Live food, for me growing up with tropical fish has always made a lot of sense
as does whole raw foods for humans ( stay away from processed)

Was talking to a tropical fish hobbyists yesterday, about the filth produced by feeder goldfish and he's not even feeding them during their short stay
at his house. Less digestion = more waste. Carp are notorius for this feature.

I think this inability equates to smaller and more frequent feeding for our pets
just as the wild carp do.