Fruit flies part 5: Feeding Drosophila to fish

Fruit flies, or Drosophila are an excellent food for most small fish, largely representing the natural killifish diet of invertebrates. Flies are the perfect food for surface dwelling fish species, but even killies from the lower strata, like Nothobranchius can be trained to eat them. Drosophila larvae are also a good food for killies, and although rarely a 'favourite' food, are an easy source of small food when worms are not available.

A Rivulus xiphidius eyes up a fruit fly

Feeding fruit fly larvae to killifish

Larvae of any size can be fed to killies to suit their needs. Lots of larvae can be scraped from the sides of their vial, and if a drip of water is added , the rest will make their way out of the media and up the sides. After this you can leave the remaining larvae to hatch turn into flies, or to be really thorough you can add the contents of the vial to a strong (3M) salt solution. The food dissolves away or sinks and the larvae will float, allowing them to be scooped out with a net, rinsed and fed. It is crucial not to over feed with Drosophila larvae, as they drown very quickly (1 hour or less) and although fish do eat them, they do not eat them with the same relish that they enjoy other insect larvae.

Cute fish look evil from above

Feeding with flies

Simple throw them in! The flies float on the surface, sometimes in clumps. If they can get to the sides they will climb out. Feeding fish with fruit flies is easy when the fish are hungry and waiting, however some will always escape. Surface feeders, such as Epiplatys will devour them quickly, however other species need to be trained, not so much to eat them, but to notice that they are there! Unless your fish are mad for fruit flies, only feed a few at a time! Again, 5-8 minutes in a freezer can immobilise flies for some time, but they do wake up after a few seconds in warm tank water.

Fruit fly cultures for sale

Freshly Started Flightless Drosophila Hydei Fruit Fly Culture

Lyndhurst, New Jersey, 070**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$13

Fresh Fruit Fly Hydei Cultures and they are an ideal food for Poison Dart Frogs, fish, Praying Mantids, young frogs and toads, and other reptiles, amphibians, or captive animals that require small foods... more

Josh's Frogs HYDEI Fruit Fly Food Media 3 lbs - 20 Cultures

San Jose, California, 951**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$56

Josh's Frogs HYDEI Fruit Fly Food Media 3 lbs - 20 Cultures
Features
PRODUCES HIGH YIELDS - Your cultures will THRIVE in this quality media and produce many generations of fliesCONTAINS VITAMINS & COLOR ENHANCERS - Healthy feeders means healthy and colorful critters!GREAT SMELLING FORMULA - This media actually smells fresh & clean with its natural ingredients!MANY PETS LOVE FRUIT FLIES - Fruit flies are enjoyed by small frogs, lizards, spiders, scorpions, ... more

Fruit Fly Culture 4Pack Variety Live Wingless Turkish Gliders Golden and Hydei

Dover, Pennsylvania, 173**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$35

Welcome to our listing for a Fruit Fly Culture 4Pack Variety! This product is perfect for those in need of a live food source for their reptiles and small frogs
The 4 pack includes Wingless Turkish Gliders, Golden, and Hydei flies. These fruit flies are perfect for feeding reptiles and small frogs, as they are flightless and will stay in the enclosure for a longer period of time. Our product comes from Crazy Frog Lady L L.C, a trusted brand in the industry
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Flightless Fruit Fly (Melanogaster / Small Fly) 32oz Culture

Vinita, Oklahoma, 743**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$18

The flightless Drosophila Melanogaster (small fruit fly) are bred in a 32oz reusable / dishwasher safe container with a vented lid. The lid has an easy access tab to limit the number of fruit fly escape and death from lid closure
The cup contains nutrient dense media: Wheat farina, malted barley, steel-cut oats, wheat bran, rolled oats, ground flax seeds, maize, apple puree, banana puree, water, apple cider vinegar, brewer's yeast, wheat germ, ground eggshell, smoked paprika, and spirulina. ... more

Flightless Fruit Flies ( 24oz Drosophila hydei culture)(2 For $25)(FREE SHIPPING

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 180**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$25

The Flightless Fruit Flies are a unique and interesting pet supply for reptile owners. This 24oz culture of Drosophila hydei fruit flies is perfect for providing a nutritious and live food source for reptiles. With free shipping included, this is a convenient and affordable option for pet owners looking to enhance their reptile's dietary options
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