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 32oz Live

Middletown, Pennsylvania, 170**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$7

Our Flightless Fruit Fly Culture 32 oz are made with Repashy
Live Flightless 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
Oue Fruit ... view on ebay

Black Melanogaster Flightless Fruit Flies ?? 32oz Master Culture Live Feeder

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

$15

Black Melanogaster Flightless Fruit Flies

32oz Master Culture ?? Made Fresh Weekly

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What You??re Buying

You will receive (1) live, actively producing Black Melanogaster (flightless) fruit fly culture, freshly made and professionally packed

Each 32oz master culture includes:
?? Thick, nutrient-dense media
?? Excelsior climbing surface
?? Ventilated lid
?? Visible adult flies
?? Clearly labeled production date

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Fruit Fly Media Culture Mix 2 5 Lbs

Miami, Florida, 331**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$35

The Nutrifly Fruit Fly Media Culture Mix is a 2 5 lb bag of blended fruit fly cultures designed for use in reptile and pet supplies. This product provides a convenient way to create a nutrient-rich environment for fruit flies, which can be beneficial for pets. The mix is easy to use and helps to support the growth and sustainability of a fruit fly colony for various purposes
This media will last up to 25 cultures... view on ebay

32oz Flightless Fruit Fly Culture

Wichita, Kansas, 672**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$12

32oz Flightless Fruit Fly Culture.
... view on ebay

TC INSECTS 3 Pack Fruit Fly Culture Melanogaster, Turkish Gliders & Golden Hydei

Huntsville, Texas, 773**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$30

Fruit Fly Culture 3 Pack Variety ?? Live Flightless Melanogaster, Turkish Gliders & Golden Hydei ?? Feeder Insect Cultures
Keep a steady and versatile supply of live feeder insects with this Fruit Fly Culture 3 Pack Variety, featuring flightless fruit flies, Turkish Gliders, and Golden Hydei. This mixed feeder bundle is a great option for reptile keepers, amphibian keepers, invertebrate hobbyists, and breeders who want multiple fruit fly varieties on hand for different feeding needs ... view on ebay