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

Golden Hydei flies (Drosophila hydei) Culture! Made To Order

Genoa, Ohio, 434**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$12

This is a listing for one Golden Hydei fruit flies (Drosophila hydei) Culture. They are made to order so you will need to give them a little time to be fed out of.
We use cinnamon to keep smell down, our cultures have little smell! We also use filter floss as a cling on substrate with great success!
Live Arrival Guarentee within 1 hour of delivery. (Shortened due to winter conditions )  You must message within an hour of delivery to cover any DOA, this is non-negotiable due to it ... more

NEKTON Drosophila Breeding Concentrate 1000g Fruit Fly Culture Food Germany

South Gate, California, 902**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$40

Condition:
New

Item Specifics:

* Brand: NEKTON
* Model: Drosophila Breeding Concentrate
* Type: Fruit Fly Culture Food
* Weight: 1000g (35 27 oz)
* Country / Region of Manufacture: Germany
* Intended For: Drosophila (Fruit Fly) Cultures
* Suitable For: Reptile, Amphibian, and Insect Feed Breeding
* MDD: 2028-01-18

Description:
New sealed container of NEKTON-Drosophila breeding concentrate. Complete feed concentrate designed for breeding... more

Turkish Glider Fruit Fly Culture 4 Pack Reptile Dart Frog Food Live

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

$29

32 oz Drosophila Melanogaster (4 Pack) "Turkish Glider" Fruit Fly Culture
Our Fruit Flies are made in house 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

Josh's Frogs Fruit Fly Media - Hydei Formula, 1 5lbs

Millsboro, Delaware, 199**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$35

Josh's Frogs Fruit Fly Media - Hydei Formula, 1 5lbs. Condition is New. Shipped with Standard Shipping.... more

Drosophila Hydei Fruit Fly Culture, feeder insects for carnivorous

Niagara Falls, New York, 143**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8

Drosophila Hydei Fruit Fly Culture
Fruit Flies Drosophila Hydei are perfect feeder insects for carnivorous plants - Drosera (Sundew), Pinguicula (Butterwort), small Sarracenia (Pitcher Plants), Dionaea Muscipula ( Venus Flytrap) and Nepenthes (Tropical Pitcher Plant) etc , as well as for young or small reptiles or other insectivorous animals
We sell them in 32 oz specialized containers providing food and comfort habitat for many generations of Fruit Flies
... more