Fruit flies are an excellent food for many surface feeding killifish, closely resembling their natural diets in the wild. They are easy to culture, quickly, cheaply and in large numbers. Fruit flys are rarely available in pet shops, but are widely available online, and very much worth trying, even if you don't bother culturing them on an ongoing basis.
What is a fruit fly?
Fruit flies are small flies that live on and around decaying fruit and vegetation. They occur worldwide, except the very coldest regions. The species most familiar to scientists, aquarists and herpetologists are in the genus Drosophila which literally means 'dew-lover' in Greek. Also known as 'bar fly' or 'vinegar fly', these little flies are commonly found around waste bins, bars, orchards etc, and they are widely used in laboratories as research animals. The species we feed to our fish however, have been bred to have shorter 'vestigial' wings, and as such can not fly. These are typically from two species Drosophila melanogaster and Drosophila Hydei.
Why fruit flies?
Although dealing with highly mobile flies can be trickier than with worms, there are some great reasons to consider culturing them.
- Nutritious - all fish can be trained to eat flies, but surface feeders love them. Not only are they relished by the fish, but they also have a high fibre content, and are therefore a great contrast to the fattier foods such as worms and beef heart. They are also typically disease-free, unlike some aquatic livefoods.
- Prolific An adult fly can lay 20+ eggs in a day. Once you get the hang of it, fruit flies are easy to maintain, and at 25 deg. centigrade the development of Drosophila melanogaster takes just 9 days.
- Availability - unlike collected livefoods, cultured Drosophila are available all year round.
- Flightless flies available - fruit flies have been studied in laboratories for very many years, and a lot is known about the humble fruit fly. Over the course of these studies, geneticists line-bred many strains of fly, including vestigial-winged, and even wingless flies. These are the flies typically cultured by hobbiests.
Drosophila larvae in a typical culture
Drosophila larvae climb up the walls of their vials and chrysalise
Drosophila pupae
Drosophila life cycle
Adult flies lay a lot of eggs. A single female can lay over 20 eggs in a day, and can store sperm within her body for up to two weeks, to lay fertilized eggs at will.
Eggs take 23 hours to hatch at 25 deg C. Once they do hatch, the larvae bury into the media and grow. They will stay as larvae for five days, in which time they undergo three moults.
Eventually they will start to climb the sides of the vial, and when fully grown will settle near the top, and form a chrysalis. The change from maggot to fly takes around three days, but again, is temperature dependent.
The image to the right shows a newly formed chrysalis with the lava's segments still visible (1), an older chrysalis with the fly clearly visible. The red dots are its eyes (2) and an empty chrysalis from which a fly will have hatched (3).
Once the flies have emerged they must be moved to new vials, as there is now no food suitable for them in the old vials.
Fruit fly cultures for sale
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Xenia, Ohio, 453**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$55
6 Pack Live Fruit Fly Cultures ?? Premium Feeder Flies
High-quality, long-lasting fruit fly cultures bred for consistent production and shelf life. Perfect for reptile keepers, dart frog hobbyists, jumping spider owners, and breeders
Unlike standard cultures that crash quickly, our cultures are designed to last longer and produce more, giving you better value and more feeding cycles
? What You Get:
(6) 32oz Fruit Fly CulturesChoose your species:D. melanogaster (smaller, faster ...
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Huntsville, Texas, 773**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$35
TC INSECTS Super Swarm Fruit Fly Kit
Keep your feeder supply going with the TC INSECTS Super Swarm Fruit Fly Kit, a convenient all-in-one bundle designed to help hobbyists and breeders produce their own fruit fly cultures at home
This kit includes the essential supplies needed to make 10 fruit fly cultures, making it a great choice for reptile keepers, amphibian keepers, dart frog hobbyists, and anyone who wants a reliable source of feeder insects
Kit Includes:
1 5 lbs Super Swarm ...
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Xenia, Ohio, 453**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$15
? Golden Hydei Fruit Fly Culture
Live Fruit Fly Culture ?? Golden Hydei
Premium live fruit fly culture designed for consistent feeding performance for reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates
This culture produces high-output Golden Hydei fruit flies, ideal for medium-to-large insectivores and feeding programs requiring sustained availability
??
? Product Includes:
* 1 × 32oz Live Fruit Fly Culture
* Species: Golden Hydei (D. hydei variant)
??
?? Why This ...
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Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$35
The Nutrifly Fruit Fly Media Culture Mix is a 2 5 lb bag of blended fruit fly cultures designed for use in reptile and pet supplies. This product provides a convenient way to create a nutrient-rich environment for fruit flies, which can be beneficial for pets. The mix is easy to use and helps to support the growth and sustainability of a fruit fly colony for various purposes
This media will last up to 25 cultures...
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Dover, Pennsylvania, 173**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$35
This 2 pack of Hydei Fruit Fly cultures + 2 Pack of Wingless is the perfect addition to any reptile or dart frog owner's collection. These cultures provide a nutritious and tasty food source for your pets without the hassle of dealing with live insects. The flies are easy to maintain and will last for several weeks, ensuring that your pets are well-fed and healthy.
With free shipping included, this is a great deal that you don't want to miss out on. Whether you're a seasoned reptile owner or...
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