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
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Cleveland, Georgia, 305**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$40
??PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING??
(WHAT YOU RECEIVE)
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FRUIT FLY: Drosophila melanogaster (flightless)
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, ...
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Xenia, Ohio, 453**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$15
? Golden Hydei Fruit Fly Culture
Live Fruit Fly Culture ?? Golden Hydei
Premium live fruit fly culture designed for consistent feeding performance for reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates
This culture produces high-output Golden Hydei fruit flies, ideal for medium-to-large insectivores and feeding programs requiring sustained availability
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? Product Includes:
* 1 × 32oz Live Fruit Fly Culture
* Species: Golden Hydei (D. hydei variant)
??
?? Why This ...
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Bay Shore, New York, 117**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$34
Josh's Frogs MELANOGASTER Fruit Fly Food Media 1 5 lbs / 1 35 Quarts
A media for culturing melanogaster fruit flies, a common feeder insect for small frogs, lizards, spiders, scorpions and tropical fish. It is sold as a 1 5 lb package, roughly 1 35 quarts It is formulated to support strong fly cultures across multiple generations and includes vitamins and color enhancers intended to support feeder health. The media has a fresh, clean scent from its natural ingredients ...
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Windermere, Florida, 347**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$68
High-Quality Fruit Fly Media for Thriving Cultures
Discover the ultimate solution for cultivating healthy and vibrant fruit flies with our premium media. Designed to enhance growth and yield, this product is perfect for a variety of pets and enthusiasts alike
Key Features:
Produces High Yields: Your cultures will thrive in this quality media, ensuring multiple generations of flies. Rich in Vitamins & Color Enhancers: Healthy feeders lead to vibrant ...
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Huntsville, Texas, 773**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
$37
Fruit Fly Combo | 4 Species Hydei, Melanogaster, Golden and Normal morphs
Keep a reliable mix of popular feeder flies on hand with this convenient Fruit Fly Combo. This bundle includes 4 different species and varieties, giving hobbyists and breeders a practical range of feeder sizes for reptiles, amphibians, dart frogs, slings, and other small insectivores
Whether you are feeding a growing collection or maintaining multiple cultures at once, this combo is a great way to add variety and ...
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