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

Flightless Fruit Fly Culture (Drosophila Melanogaster) Free Shipping

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
... more

TC INSECTS Golden Hydei Fruit Fly Cultures 4 Pack ?? 2 Golden Hydei + 2 Hydei

Huntsville, Texas, 773**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$35

Golden Hydei Fruit Fly Cultures 4 Pack ?? 2 Golden Hydei + 2 Hydei ?? Live Flightless Feeder Insect Cultures
Keep a steady supply of quality live feeders on hand with this 4 culture bundle that includes 2 Golden Hydei Fruit Fly Cultures and 2 Hydei Fruit Fly Cultures. This variety pack is a great choice for reptile keepers, amphibian keepers, invertebrate hobbyists, and breeders who need productive live feeder cultures for regular feeding Hydei fruit flies are a popular feeder option ... more

Easy Dispense Flightless Fruit Fly (Melanogaster / Small Fly)

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

$13

Perfect for small spiders and reptiles!
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, ... more

Turkish Glider Fruit Fly Culture 4 Pack Reptile Dart Frog Food Live

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

$29

32 oz Drosophila Melanogaster (4 Pack) "Turkish Glider" Fruit Fly Culture
Our Fruit Flies are made in house with Repashy
Turkish Glider Melanogaster are the smallest size of fruit flies at 1 / 16 "
Turkish Glider Melanogaster are a winged and slightly darker than the Golden Wingless Melanogaster
This winged form of melanogaster can 'glide' short distances making for a more active feeder enticing even the pickiest of eaters
Turkish Gliders produce fast and consistently with ... more

Drosophila hydei (Flightless Fruit Fly Culture) - LIVE FEEDER INSECTS CULTURE

Cleveland, Georgia, 305**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$40

??PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING??
(WHAT YOU RECEIVE)
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FRUIT FLY: Drosophila Hydei (flightless)
SIZE: 1 / 8?? inches (larger than melanogaster fruit flies)
COUNT: 50+ (will produce prolifically)
(BASIC INFO)
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LIVE FOOD SOURCE FOR: Dart Frogs, Jumping Spiders, Praying
Mantis, Mantids, Morning Geckos, ... more