Infusoria and Paramoecium / Paramecium

A single paramoecium, photo Adrian Burge

Paramecium as a food for killifish

Many young fish are so small when they first hatch that they can not eat traditional 'first foods' such as newly hatched artemia, microworms and vinegar eels. Amongst the nothos, this is particularly the case for N. janpapi, N. luekei and N. geminus - the Aphyobranchius subgenus. Other Nothobranchius, particularly from young parents, can also have similar problems (N. rachovii and N. patrizii spring to mind).

Infusoria is the collective name for microscopic organisms that dwell in bodies of water, feeding on detrietus and smaller single celled organisms, and include rotifers, and paramoecium. These micro-organisms live amongst plants, gravel, and in the filter, in fact anywhere they can. Squeezing out a sponge filter will yield a large number of these infusorians. For most (non-surface dwelling) fry it is ok to simply let them grow for a few days in a well matured tank with a sponge filter, or with a large clump of javamoss. A few days on and the fry will be eating newly hatched artemia nauplii - so why bother to raise paramoecium?

The smaller nothos (Aphyobranchius species) are surface dwellers, the newly hatched fry spending their first days living at the very surface of their tank - often in the meniscus around the edge. Because of this tendancy to remain near the water surface, the infusoria associated with plant matter is unavailable to the young fry, and can lead to starvation. paramoecium, on the other hand will stay near the waters surface if the tank is illuminated from above - exactly where the young fish need them. Another method is to have a slow air bubble (1 bubble/second) going to the surface (and bringing the paramoecium up without causing excessive turbulence.

Culturing Paramecium

Paramoecium are very easy to keep; as long as their water is clean, aerated and free of chlorine, they will thrive. I use aged tapwater. They can be fed easily with the smallest quantities of evaporated milk - just enough to give their water a slightly cloudy appearance. Collection is also relatively easy; if the culture is poured into a tall thin bottle, such as a clear wine bottle, the paramoecium can be seen congregating around the water surface, where they can be easily removed. This is not really necessary though as the culture can be simply poured (in part) in with your fry. Some people even add a tiny drop of milk in with the fry, just to get the paramoecium really thriving with the fry.

The greatest problem is with contamination - if any tank water gets into the cultures they will soon be outcompeted by other infusorians. Failure to feed them is not a major problem, as they will return even if unfed for many weeks.

GIANT MICROBES-PARAMECIUM-Stuffed Plush Micro Organism Single Cell Scope Biology

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 191**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$15

GIANT MICROBESPARAMECIUM (Paramecium caudatum)
Optics are AMAZING and can open up all sorts of unseen worlds! As Astronomers, our telescopes have been the gateway to Outer Space for countless new observers. A microscope is a similar gateway to the unseen worlds of Inner Space! For many students, peering into a microscope for the first time can be a shocking experience. A drop of water from a nearby stream can suddenly come to LIFE as the first glimpse of SOMETHING swims by. Say Hello to ... more

Paramecium-Shaped Art Glass Platter by Master Craftsperson Maurice Heaton

Mount Tremper, New York, 124**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$300

Maybe it's an amoeba; I don't know my biology that well, but I do know that this platter is pretty fantastic. Tomato or brick red center with wavy white spokes emanating from it. Initials M H. embedded in one of those spokes. 15" long x 12 1 / 8" wide. Perfect condition, but check pics as they are part of the description. There are some red marks on the reverse that in no way impact how the piece appears. Frankly, I don't know what they are. When you hold this piece up to the light, tiny ... more

Paramecium Caudatum, Living microorganism starter culture, include small pipette

New York, 100**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$19

Live food for newly hatched fish. Living microorganism starter culture. Paramecium caudatum holds great significance for the healthy life of an aquarium. Together with other beneficial microorganisms, it participates in the decomposition and processing of leftover fish food and their metabolic byproducts. In the meantime it is a food source itself for baby fish and other animals Optimal growth temperature:71 6??（ 22° C）
Instruction1. Open your order upon arrival 2. Open the bottle and ... more

Paramecium starter culture

Saint Paul, Minnesota, 551**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$6

Our Paramecium starter culture is the perfect addition to an aquarium, providing a plethora of healthy microorganisms as a food source. This starter culture is ideal for baby fry in their first few days of life, helping them transition to larger live foods. It's also great for feeding your daphnia and maintaining a healthy tank. Make sure your aquarium's inhabitants are well-fed with our Paramecium starter culture
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Live Paramecium Starter Culture For Aquarium Nano Fish And Fry

Honolulu, Hawaii, 968**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10

*Description:
Boost your aquarium fish fry's growth and survival rate with our live Paramecium culture! Paramecium is an ideal first food for newly hatched fish fry, providing essential nutrients for growth and development
Details:
- Live Paramecium culture in a convenient, easy-to-use format
- Perfect for feeding small fish fry, such as guppies, tetras, and bettas
- Also can feed adult nano fish ex. Chili rasbora and spotted rasbora etc
- Supports healthy growth and ... more