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

Fruit Fly Culture Golden Hydei Melongaster 6 Pack Reptile & Dart Frog Food LIVE

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

$57

6 pack Melongaster Wingless Fruit Flies
Live fruit flies are a great option for feeding small lizards and many species of frogs, especially because of their reproduction cycle. Each culture of flightless fruit flies has a lifespan of about one month, and even after they die, they will continually pupate from eggs laid by the adults in the culture! This will allow you to keep fruit flies for a while, as long as they are taken care of accurately
Regular fruit flies should be ... more

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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Live Big Boy Drosophila Hydei Flightless Fruit Flies Starter Culture Kit

Cleveland, Ohio, 441**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15

These big boy hydei fruit flies are perfect for feeding your praying mantis nymphs (babies), dart frogs, tree frogs, small toads, lizards, salamanders, spiders, tropical fish and ants in ant farms. They get as big as pin head crickets
The 32oz breathable container containers a seed colony of about 50 to 100 flies. They will quickly lay eggs and in about two weeks you will have hundreds more to feed your pets. Don't use all the flies you should always save around at least 30 for breeding more... more

FVOAI Fly Trap Indoor, Fruit Fly Catcher Mosquito Killer Insect Trap with Sticky

San Bernardino, California, 924**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$58

Store New Arrivals Add to Favorite View Feedback ContactFVOAI Fly Trap Indoor, Fruit Fly Catcher Mosquito Killer Insect Trap with Sticky Glue Boards(Black-Blue)
Description
Color Blue Brand FVOAI Target Species Fly, Mosquito... more

Fruit Fly Culture

Flintstone, Maryland, 215**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$14

Our melanogaster flightless fruit fly cultures arrive well started with adult flies that will produce larvae within a few days. To care for the culture, simply keep it around 75 degrees, and do not feed off the flies until new flies have emerged. The culture will produce flies for up to 2-3 weeks.
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