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 Hydei) Reptile Food

San Juan, Puerto Rico, 009**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$26

Flightless Fruit Fly Culture (Drosophila Hydei) Reptile Food
LIVE ARRIVAL GUARANTEED!
If you experience any issues, contact us within 1 hour of delivery and include photos of any DOA
Worried About Shipping?
No need! We offer affordable shipping on qualifying orders, and most orders are eligible for our live arrival guarantee. Plus, we include a 10% overcount to compensate for any insects that may be injured during transit
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Flightless Fruit Fly Culture (Drosophila Melanogaster)

Ogden, Utah, 844**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15

Flightless Fruit Fly Culture (Drosophila Melanogaster). Condition is New. These flightless fruit fly cultures come in a 32oz cup with a ventilated lid, excelsior wool and culture mix. It will come with 100 adult flys that will already be laying new generations upon arrival. For best practices, do not use flys until 5 days after first generation hatches to ensure new generation. These cultures will last you several weeks. Shipped with USPS First Class
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Flightless Fruit Fly Culture Live Dart Frog Food 32 oz & Zoo Med Calcium With D3

Middletown, Pennsylvania, 170**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$30

This live dart frog food by Crazy Frog L L.C. is the perfect addition to your pet reptile's diet. The 32 oz container of flightless fruit fly culture provides a sustainable food source for your beloved pet. Along with the food, this package also includes Zoo Med Calcium with D3, ensuring your reptile gets the necessary nutrients for healthy bone growth. A great choice for any reptile owner looking to provide their pet with quality nutrition
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MUSLIN Black Nylon Sheets 27 " x18" 5-lot Fruit Fly Springtail Isopod Cultures

Lombard, Illinois, 601**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10

MUSLIN Black Nylon Sheets 27" x 18" Lot of 5
For Fruit Fly Springtail Isopod Cultures
These Sheets are sourced from the Wholesale Floral Industry, used in Orchid arrangements that require high air flow. As such, the Sheets are very light weight. Each sheet has a small 3" 'X' cut in the center of the sheet, to allow stem passage. Each quadrant of the sheet is enough for 2-3 culture jars depending on their size, even more if you're using culture vials.
Sold in lots of 5 Sheets. Sheets ... more

Hydei Fruit Fly Culture 32oz Dart Frog Food Reptile Food Live Insects

Middletown, Pennsylvania, 170**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8

Hydei is a larger fruit fly at 3 mm in size. This makes them the ideal live food choice to feed to the larger species of Dart Frogs
Fruit flies are an excellent feeder for particularly small or hatchling reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates such as:
Anoles (juvenile)
Carpet chameleons (juvenile)
Dart frogs
Day geckos
Electric blue geckos
Jumping spiders
Mantises
Mourning geckos
Pygmy chameleons (juvenile)
Tarantulas (juveniles / slings)
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