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 Fruit Fly Culture (Drosophila Melanogaster) Free Shipping

San Juan, Puerto Rico, 009**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15

Flightless Fruit Fly Culture (Drosophila Melanogaster) Free Shipping

Ship Monday-Wednesday

Live arrival guaranteed

Any question or problem send me a message
... more

? Fruit Fly Culture, WINGLESS (Small Fruit Fly: D. melanogaster) - 32oz

Shullsburg, Wisconsin, 535**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$8

Although "Turkish Gliders" are a strain of D. melanogaster and are flightless, they are capable of gliding in a downward spiral and inclined to hopping and being more active than regular D. melanogaster making them an enriching activity for your pets!
Looking for an easy and reliable feeder insect for your dart frogs, fish, mantids, or juvenile reptiles? Our Turkish Glider Fruit Fly Cultures are the perfect choice! These small, flightless fruit flies can be easily produced at home ... more

Fruit Fly Culture Flightless 3 Pack Lizard And Dart Frog Food Live

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

$28

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 kept at 70 - 75 degrees
The flies have ... more

producing- Completely Wingless melanogaster 32oz Fruit Fly Culture

Vienna, Georgia, 310**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$5

Live arrival voided during extreme temps above 95 degrees ICE PACK OPTION AVAILABLE IF YOUR TEMPS WILL BE HIGH
Will have excelsior for surface area
DISCLAIMER: as we enter summer temps, there is a risk that cultures will not arrive alive or producing, because of this I have included a ice pack option.
wingless melanogaster 32oz Fruit Fly Culture .
producing will be about a week old Please order accordingly! Due to summer season, live guarantee is voided if left in mailbox or ... more

Black Hydei Flightless Fruit Fly ?? Live Feeder Insects - 32oz Master Culture

Xenia, Ohio, 453**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15

What You??re Buying
Live, producing Black Hydei flightless fruit fly culture. Cultures ship fresh and are ideal for reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and small insectivores
Why Golden Hydei
Black hydei are larger than melanogaster and ideal for pets that need a slightly bigger feeder
Culture Notes
Cultures require 7??14 days after arrival to become fully productive. Plan feedings accordingly
Shipping & Handling
Shipped carefully with insulation when required. Live ... more