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

FRESH D. HYDEI FRUIT FLY CULTURE 32oz "FREE SHIPPING"

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

$19

FRESH D. HYDEI FRUIT FLY CULTURE 32oz "FREE SHIPPING " . Condition is New. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.... more

Hydei Fruit Fly 16 PACK Cultures Dart Frog Food Reptile Food FREE SHIPPING

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

$130

This 16 pack of Hydei Fruit Fly cultures is the perfect addition to any reptile or dart frog owner's collection. These cultures provide a nutritious and tasty food source for your pets without the hassle of dealing with live insects. The flies are easy to maintain and will last for several weeks, ensuring that your pets are well-fed and healthy.
With free shipping included, this is a great deal that you don't want to miss out on. Whether you're a seasoned reptile owner or a new dart frog ... more

Flightless Fruit Fly 2 Pack + 2 Pack Turkish Gliders 4 TOTAL CULTURES Frog food

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

$33

This 2 pack of Flightless Fruit Fly cultures + 2 Pack of Turkish Gliders is the perfect addition to any reptile or dart frog owner's collection. These cultures provide a nutritious and tasty food source for your pets without the hassle of dealing with live insects. The flies are easy to maintain and will last for several weeks, ensuring that your pets are well-fed and healthy.
With free shipping included, this is a great deal that you don't want to miss out on. Whether you're a seasoned ... more

Double Sided Sticky Traps For Gnats And Fruit Flies

Haskell, New Jersey, 074**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10

Quantity of (20) 3x5" sticky traps
Got an annoying soil gnat or fruit fly issue around your reptiles? This is extremely common when keeping bio-active enclosures, isopods, millipedes, or even common house plants. These double-sided traps can easily be cut down and stuck to the lid or upper portion of your enclosure to eliminate these pests
Quantity shipped is 20 in each pack
* Make sure that your critters can not get to where you place these if going into an enclosure. They also have ... more

Fruit Fly Culture Turkish Glider 3 Pack Lizard And Dart Frog Food Live

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

$28

32 oz Drosophila Melanogaster "Turkish Glider" Fruit Fly Culture 3-Pack
Our Fruit Flies are made with Repashy
Turkish Glider Melanogaster are the smallest size of fruit flies at 1 / 16 "
Turkish Glider Melanogaster are a winged and slightly darker than the Golden Wingless Melanogaster
This winged form of melanogaster can 'glide' short distances making for a more active feeder enticing even the pickiest of eaters
Turkish Gliders produce fast and consistently with ... more