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
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San Juan, Puerto Rico, 009**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$15
Flightless Fruit Fly Culture (Drosophila Melanogaster) Free Shipping
Ship Monday-Wednesday
Live arrival guaranteed
Any question or problem send me a message
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Wheeling, Illinois, 600**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$19
FRESH D. HYDEI FRUIT FLY CULTURE 32oz "FREE SHIPPING". Condition is New. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
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San Diego, California, 921**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$10
Simplify your pet care routine with the Fruit Fly Culture Kit from Spood Food. This is a complete media kit, pre-measured so you just dump the media, add hot water, stir, and go. Making 2 cultures, this kit ensures convenience and efficiency. We use Repashy Superfly for the media and not some generic mix, promising quality every time. Perfect for hobbyists and professionals alike!...
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Vienna, Georgia, 310**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$5
Live arrival voided during extreme temps above 95 degrees HEAT PACK OPTION AVAILABLE IF YOUR TEMPS WILL BE low
Will have excelsior for surface area
DISCLAIMER: as we enter summer temps, there is a risk that cultures will not arrive alive or producing, because of this I have included a ice pack option.
wingless melanogaster 32oz Fruit Fly Culture .
producing will be about a week old Please order accordingly! Due to winter season, live guarantee is voided if left in mailbox or ...
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Shullsburg, Wisconsin, 535**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$10
Looking for a reliable and nutritious feeder insect for your dart frogs, fish, mantids, or juvenile reptiles? Our D. hydei Fruit Fly Cultures are the perfect solution! These small, flightless fruit flies can be easily produced at home offering a continuous supply for 30-50 days!
Product Features:
Species: Drosophila Hydei (D. hydei) Fruit FliesPerfect for: Dart frogs, fish, mantids, juvenile reptiles, and other insectivoresCulture Lifespan: Each culture typically produces fruit flies for ...
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