Can Chinese Water Dragons Eat Small Fish?

Chinese water dragons (Physignathus cocincinus) are arboreal lizards that some people enjoy as exotic pets. These family Agamidae creatures -- also known as Asian water dragons and green water dragons -- thrive when they live all by themselves -- and also when they're fed proper omnivorous diets that include small fish.

  1. Basic Information

    • Male Chinese water dragons are capable of growing to 3 feet long. Specimens of the fairer sex, however, are slightly shorter. Most of their length comes from their tails. Their multitasking tails are not only handy for helping their equilibrium, they also are useful for driving away -- and beating -- would-be predator threats. Their upper bodies are usually bright green, although depending on their surroundings they may instead be a deep brown. Chinese water dragons are Asian natives, and their geographic scope includes China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.

    Meat and the Captive Diet

    • Chinese water dragons can indeed eat small fish, and wee feeder fish are common elements of their captive diets. They are beneficial because they're calcium-rich and can even help keep these lizards' bones in strong condition. Small fish definitely aren't all that Chinese water dragons eat in captivity, though. Insects are another big mealtime staple for them, specifically waxworms, silkworms, grasshoppers, crickets, butterworms and locusts. Chinese water dragons that live in zoos eat similarly insect-packed diets, with components such as cockroaches. Tiny rodents are also common elements of Chinese water dragons' diets. Little fuzzy and pinky mice both work well for these lizards and, just like feeder fish, are strong calcium sources. Frozen mice are suitable as long as they are sufficiently thawed beforehand.

    Omnivores

    • As omnivores, Chinese water dragons aren't restricted to small fish, insects and the like. Fresh diced produce also is a common food for them. Some examples of fruits and veggies that are frequently fed to Chinese water dragons are kale, strawberries, radishes, carrots, oranges, apples, green beans and pears. Always feed produce in moderation, however; don't allow produce to exceed 10 to 15 percent of your lizard's food intake. Keep portions of fruit even tinier than portions of veggies. Also remember that not all Chinese water dragons are necessarily willing to eat fruits and veggies.

    Diet in the Wild

    • Small fish are also part of the wild Chinese water dragon feeding plan, although they're not as passionate about eating them as they are toward eating insects. Chinese water dragons that live out in nature are just as fond of bugs as those in captivity, as they make up the biggest fraction of their wild diets. They also feed occasionally on little reptiles and mammals. Plant matter also isn't a foreign concept to Chinese water dragons. They sometimes munch on foliage, fruit and flowers.