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 Hydei fruit fly culture. Free shipping. Currently all FRESH.

Gadsden, Alabama, 359**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15

Currently all FRESH, but will provide plenty of flies to speed the process and provide some for feed.
Productive fruit fly culture. Great food resource for your small reptiles / amphibians.
If you would prefer a "fresh" or "producing" culture, please let us know and we will hand pick the best one for your needs. If you want "really fresh " , we'll whip up a brand new culture just for you and load it with flies before it goes in the mail. Be sure to contact us as soon as you order if... 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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First in Fly : Drosophila Research and Biological Discovery, Hardcover by Moh

Jessup, Maryland, 207**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$44

First in Fly : Drosophila Research and Biological Discovery, Hardcover by Mohr, Stephanie Elizabeth, ISBN 0674971019, ISBN-13 9780674971011, Brand New, Free shipping in the US
A single species of fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has been the subject of scientific research for more than one hundred years. Why does this tiny insect merit such intense scrutiny? Drosophila's importance as a research organism began with its short lifecycle, ability to reproduce in large numbers, and easy-to-see ... more

D. Hydei Producing Fruit Fly Culture With Backup Culture Kit - Free Shipping

Greenville, North Carolina, 278**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$20

Extend the life of your cultures !

This includes a PRODUCING culture of drosophila Hydei (the larger flightless fruit flies) AND a dry backup culture. The Backup culture comes with a 32oz deli cup, vented lid, excelsior, and REPASHY fruit fly media. Just add boiling water and let cool prior to transferring your flies.


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Fruit Fly Culture Kit. FLIES INCLUDED Make 6 Cultures. Hydei OR Melanogaster.

Gadsden, Alabama, 359**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$35

Everything you need to reproduce 6 fruit fly cultures!
1 Culture of Melangaster fruit flies We include 6 32 ounce cups and 6 fabric vented lids. We include 3 cups of Fruit Fly Media. That is 1 / 2 cup per culture. Lastly is the excelsior (wood wool). You'll have plenty in the kit for your 6 cultures. Directions on how to make media:1 / 2 cup of media per 32 oz cup3 / 4 cup boiling waterMix the media and boiling water. Mix well Add excelsior Place vented lid on top
Wait until the ... more