Hi folks, and sorry for this slightly crazy request.

My sister was in Ullswater today and got back with 3 tiny little fish (brought back in a bottle!). They are now swimming in a fish tank, and we have given them a little sprinkle of fish food (the type you'd give to goldfish - we have a goldfish already).
But, they don't seem to be eating it, or if they are, just taking tiny nibbles.

I know it's a longshot but I wondered whether there are any fish experts here on DS that can help me. What would they normally eat in their home environment of Ullswater and what should I give them now?

I have taken some pictures of the fish to show you so you know what we're dealing with...

http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u...t=SD530365.jpg

http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u...t=SD530367.jpg

Thanks!

insects, always a good bet for any fish.

go to a pet store or aquatics centre tomorrow and ask for daphnia, or bloodworm, though bloodworm may be a little big
preferably live as that's what they will probably be used to

if they're picking at the flakes they'll most likely be eating those, but won;t be used to them

hard to tell from the picture what fish they might be

i think the first thing to do would be to get a better camera and then give your sister a bollocking for taking the fish out of their natural environment.

What was she thinking taking them from the wild? What a stupid irresponsible thing to do. They'll probably end up dying thanks to her

yeah, they really do need taking back before they die...

it'll be very difficult to replicate their water parameters in an artificial environment
and you have no idea how big they will grow, or if what you are feeding them with suit those fish

Take them back before they die. What a seriously stupid & cruel thing to do.

how irresponsible of your sister, and you for not telling her to take them straight back or taking them back yourself! these little fish will die, and soon, in a tank environment. please for the sake of these fish, take them back to where she got them from.

I agree with this.
Take them back where they came from!

I agree with everyone else - it's really cruel to take them out of their natural environment.

I'm not even sure if it's legal.

Can't you take them back?

I am LIVID at the irresponsibility of the OPs sister. She should be abducted from her home and stuffed into a small box. See how SHE would like it

Looks like Minnows or gudgeons. Too blurry to be sure.

It is possible to keep these two fish for a long time if water conditions are satisfied.

But, some species are protected from the Lake district so probably not a good idea to remove unknown fish from the Lakes.

According to a National Trust link I found, Ullswater holds the following fish species - Char, Schelly, Perch and brown Trout. A Google image search should help identify the fish.

You could phone a local aquarium shop who should be able to offer advice on feeding/supply a suitable food.

Another idea might be to contact Marton Mere nature reserve in Blackpool:

http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Services...NatureReserve/

The reserve has fish, and they may be able to offer advice (but don't be tempted to release the fish there without permission as they may overpopulate or introduce disease to other species). There's a phone number, and an e-mail link on that page.

The ideal thing would be to return them to where they came from, but I know that may be difficult to arrange, at least straight away. Ullswater is a 2 hour drive from Blackpool, into mountainous terrain.