During their first few weeks of life, most species of egg-laying fish and Amphibians will not eat prepared foods and will need live wiggling food to survive.Microworms become an optimal food of choice after the first week or so, as infusoria and brine shrimp nauplii are the best first food.Microworms are a good food choice for small adult fish.Microworms are one of the easiest live fish foods to culture at home, and it only takes a small amount of effort to boost your fry survival rates with this inexpensive healthy food source.
Step 1: There is a microworm starter culture.
You will need a few live adult microworms to start your culture because these worms don't lay eggs.Some nematode species can make your fish sick, so remember that not all of them are a good food source.If your local fish store sells live food, check it out.You can get in touch with other local people through aquarist clubs.A member may be willing to give or sell you a starter.You can buy microworms online for a few dollars.They are sold all over the place from large general auction sites to small hobbyist forums.If the species is listed, make sure it's in the same family as the other ones.The most common microworm is Panagrellus redivivus.Microworms are not visible to the naked eye.A large group of worms should look like a gray or brown clump.If your starter looks different from this, you may have a different type of worm.
Step 2: You can buy a container and use it for something else.
If it's deep enough for you to fit your finger inside, almost any container can be used.Resealable containers are the most convenient.There are a number of popular options, including yogurt tubs, mason jars, and plastic food containers.It is possible to use any type of human food-grade starch.Oatmeal, wheat flour, bread, cornmeal, and mashed potatoes are some of the common sources of starch.If you're using a sealable container, be sure to poke a small slit in the lid with a knife.A microworm colony needs air exchange to thrive.Tin foil should be used to cover the top of your container if it doesn't have its own lid.
Step 3: Obtain yeast that is active.
Microworms don't eat the food.They don't eat yeast that feeds on sugars.Dry yeast can be found in the baking section of most supermarkets.Fresh compressed yeast is sold at some stores.The same yeast can be used to culture microworms if you bake bread or brew beer at home.
Step 4: Add something to the bottom of your container.
Before placing it in the container, you don't need to cook or prepare it.If you use enough, it will cover the bottom of the container and be half an inch thick.If you spread it out, it will be roughly even.
Step 5: The water should be on top of the starch.
You don't want to add too much water because a water line will rise above it.Stir the two together to get a creamy consistency.This might make your culture grow faster.
Step 6: There is yeast over the starch.
If you bought dry yeast, place it in your container.If you're using compressed yeast, shave off some thin pieces from the cake and place them on top of the starch.Depending on how wide your container is, the amount of yeast you use won't be exact.You want to distribute the yeast.
Step 7: Add some microworms.
Pick up some microworms and put them in a container.You don't need to spread theworms out because they can move easily.Your culture will grow faster if you start with more worms.Only two worms can reproduce quickly enough for a starter.Refrigerating your starter culture is a good idea.If you experience a crash in your culture, make sure to keep your starter.Microworms are slow in their metabolisms when kept in cold temperatures.A starter can stay alive for six months at the fridge temperature.The starter culture probably came in a bag.Simply put it in the refrigerator and seal it up.Transfer your starter into a bag or container if necessary.
Step 8: You should cover your culture.
Wait about a week.When you see worms moving up the sides of the container, you will know they are ready to harvest.Microworms can reproduce at room temperature.The culture won't last as long in a warmer environment.Microworms can survive in temperatures as low as 32 F (0C).
Step 9: You can stir your culture weekly.
Like earthworms, microworms don't burrow.If you mix your culture once a week, you'll be able to keep your food source.The fresh yeast will be on the surface.
Step 10: At a minimum, keep at least two cultures going at the same time.
It's good to have a backup in case your worm colony crashes.Start at least one more culture to make sure you always have enough microworms on hand.
Step 11: When a culture has gone bad, recognize it.
Two weeks to a month is how long the Microworm cultures last.They may go bad even more quickly if they are contaminated.Bad cultures need to be thrown out.There are signs that a microworm culture is going bad.If the color of your culture media changes, toss it out.As waste accumulates, older cultures will become darker.It is normal for the consistency to become soupier and more like a liquid as the yeast break down their food source.The culture is growing more and more contaminated.It's best to start fresh if you see a lot of mold or flies.If there is only a tiny section of mold, scoop it out first.It's important to keep in mind that maggots aren't dangerous to fry and actually make a good live food for fish.The culture may not last long, but you can still harvest microworms from it.It has a foul smell.Some people may find the smell of a healthy culture unpleasant, but it has a mild yeasty odor.It's likely that your culture has been contaminated withbacteria if it begins to smell foul.Microworms may be killed by the bacteria that can harm your fish.
Step 12: For 10 minutes, place your culture on a mild heat source.
The perfect spot is on top of your aquarium.The heat will make it easier for the worms to crawl up the side of the container.You don't need this step to harvest more microworms.The container lid has to be removed.
Step 13: Add some worms to your tank.
The worms are crawling on the side of the container and you have to clean it.You don't want to scoop out the culture media by focusing on the sides.Too much yeast can ruin your aquarium water.Try not to over feed the worms because they won't live long in the water.The container's lid should be replaced as soon as possible.
Step 14: The worms should be put into the aquarium.
The worms will fall to the bottom.The fish will eat the Nematodes at the bottom of the tank.Double check that the current is strong enough to keep them from sinking.Most fish can't get to worms that fall between pieces of gravel.When feeding microworms, it's best to keep a bare bottom tank or use a different one.