260 likes | 288 Views
Live Foods. By Todd Wenzel. Good: Prepared Foods Better: Frozen Foods Best: Live!!! . Considerations. Ease of use or collection Nutritional value Aesthetics / Side Effects. Natural Progression. Small >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Large. Very Small.
E N D
Live Foods By Todd Wenzel
Good: Prepared Foods • Better: Frozen Foods • Best: Live!!!
Considerations • Ease of use or collection • Nutritional value • Aesthetics / Side Effects
Natural Progression Small >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Large
Very Small Why? Fry from Tetras, Gouramis, Rainbowfish etc. are far too small to eat baby brine shrimp! • Green Water • Infusoria • Rotifers
Very Small Green Water “Infusoria” Rotifers
Also Very Small Vinegar Eels = SIMPLE!!!
And… • Microworms
Next on the Size Ladder • Good for larger fry: Guppies, some Cichlids etc. • New Hatched Brine Shrimp • Zooplankton
Next on the Size Ladder • New Hatched Brine Shrimp… only since the 1940’s • New Hatched, not just “baby” brine shrimp
…and just a little larger: • Zooplankton • Collectable • Stimulating • Freezable
Grindal Worms • Larger: 3/16 – 3/8” • Less temperature sensitive: 68 – 75°F
Adult Brine Shrimp • “Supposedly” easy to grow… • Can be “gut loaded” with Selcon - contains Omega-3 HUFA, Vitamin B12 and pure stabilized Vitamin C
My Favorite Live Food Daphnia magna
Blackworms • Require cleaning • High protein content • Keep cold(?)
Blackworms • Keep cold(?) Thanks to Lonny Langoine, Aquarium Club of Lancaster Co.
Blackworms Either way it’s the food that keeps on feeding…
Getting’ Bigger Grass or Glass Shrimp
Earthworms • Highly nutritious, 67% protein • Can be fed whole or chopped as appropriate • May be purchased or grown
Additional Reading • Look for food articles in future newsletters: • “Topless” Brine Shrimp (decapsulating) • Keeping BlackwormsUnrefrigerated • Manual on the Production and Use of Live Food for Aquaculture: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/w3732e/w3732e00.htm