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

Wingless Fruit Fly Culture (Drosophila Melanogaster) 32oz Cup (Chester)

Florida, New York, 109**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10

Each 32oz. container has everything the flies need: Fruit Fly Food Media (from Josh's Frogs) and Aspen Wood Excelsior for added surface area Drosophila Melanogaster are about 1 / 16" in size and are an ideal food for poison dart frogs, fish, praying mantis, young frogs and toads, and other reptiles, amphibians, or captive animals that require small foods I have producing cultures and freshly started cultures that will start producing flies in about 12 - 14 days Each culture has a lifespan of ... more

Hydei Fruit Fly Culture + 1 Just Add Flies 4 Dart Frog Food Reptile Food

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

$25

The product is a Hydei fruit fly culture kit + 1 additional container of just-add-flies food designed for dart frogs and reptiles. Produced by the brand Crazy Frog Lady, this product provides a convenient and natural way to feed your pets. The fruit flies are a nutritious food source for many reptiles and amphibians, promoting healthy eating habits and reducing the need for processed diets. With this product, you can easily maintain a steady supply of live insects for your pets to enjoy
... more

"Wingless" Drosophila melanogaster (Fruit Fly Culture) - LIVE FEEDER INSECTS

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

$40

??PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING??
(WHAT YOU RECEIVE)
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FRUIT FLY: "Wingless" Drosophila melanogaster
SIZE: 1 / 16?? inches (smaller than hydie 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

Wingless Drosophila Melanogaster Fruit Fly Culture 32oz -Live, Dart Frog, Insect

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 152**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15

This product is a 32oz culture of live Wingless Drosophila Melanogaster fruit flies, specifically designed for use with dart frogs. The flies are cultured in the United States and are suitable for insect enthusiasts looking to provide a live food source for their pets. The Wingless Drosophila Melanogaster flies are a convenient and nutritious option for reptile and pet owners
What's Included:- 1x 32oz Newly Started Flightless Fruit Fly Culture... more

Fruit Fly Media Culture Mix Kit Makes 10 culture 1 5Lb (24oz)

Wheeling, Illinois, 600**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$36

Fruit fly Media Culture Mix Kit contains 1 5Lb (24oz) Of Media Excelsior, Cups / Lids to makes 10 fruit flies cultures.
It does not include live flies
Our fruit fly media works for both melanogaster and Hydei. It is Homemade with the best ingredients to produce top quality flies for your animals . Our fruit fly media contains brewer's years vitamins B also ingredients anti-bacterial to avoid the bad smell, we use a mold inhibitor to prevent mold. The ingredients we use give increase ... more