During their first few weeks of life, most species of egg-laying fish and Amphibians will not eat prepared food and will need live wiggling food to survive.Microworms become an optimal food of choice after the first week or so, and infusoria and brine shrimp nauplii are the best first food.Microworms are a good food choice for small adult fish like guppies, scarlet badis and neon tetras.It only takes a small amount of effort to boost your fry survival rates with Microworms, one of the easiest live fish foods to culture at home.
Step 1: A microworm starter culture can be found.
You will need a few live adult microworms to start your culture because these worms don't lay eggs.Some nematode species may make your fish sick, so remember that not all of them are a good food source.Microworms can be found in live food at your local fish store.You can get in touch with other local enthusiasts through aquarist clubs.A member may be willing to give or sell you a starter.Microworms can be ordered 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 group 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 is different from this, you may have a different type of worm.
Step 2: You could buy a container and use it for food.
If it's deep enough for you to fit your index finger inside, almost any container can be used.Resealable containers are the most convenient.yoghurt tub, mason jars, and plastic food containers are some of the popular options.It is possible to use any type of human food grade starch.Oatmeal, wheat flour, bread, cornmeal, mashed potatoes, and cereals 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 can be used to cover the top of a container if it doesn't have its own lid.
Step 3: Obtain some yeast.
Microworms don't eat the food.They 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.You can use the same yeast to culture microworms if you bake bread or brew beer at home.
Step 4: The bottom of your container should be filled with starch.
Before placing it in the container, you don't need to cook or prepare it.It should be enough to 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 corn.
You don't want to add too much water because a water line will rise above it.To get a creamy consistency, you can stir the two together.This may make your culture grow faster.
Step 6: The yeast should be placed over the starch.
If you bought dry yeast, put 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 spread yeast around.
Step 7: The microworms should be added with a spoon.
Pick up some microworms and put them in the container.You don't need to spread theworms out because they can move easily.The faster your culture grows, the more worms you start with.Only two worms can reproduce quickly enough for a starter in a few weeks.Refrigerating your starter culture is a good idea.If there is a catastrophic crash in all of your cultures, make sure to keep your starter.Microworms slow their metabolisms when kept in cold temperatures.A starter can stay alive for six months at the refrigerator 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: Don't 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 are able to 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.
Step 9: Every week, stir your culture.
Like earthworms, microworms don't burrow.If you mix your culture once a week, you can keep your food source.This will bring yeast to the surface.
Step 10: At least two cultures are going at a 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 for your fry.
Step 11: When a culture is bad, recognize it.
Two weeks to a month is how long the worm cultures last.They may go bad more quickly if they are contaminated.Bad cultures should be thrown out.There are signs that a microworm culture is going bad.If the color of your culture media changes, throw it out.As waste accumulates, older cultures will become darker.It's normal for the consistency to become soupier and more like a liquid as the yeast break down their food source.The culture is growing.It's best to start fresh if you see a lot of mold.If there is only a small 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 adult fish.The culture may not last long, but you can still harvest microworms from it.It has a foul odor.Some 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.The microworms may be killed by these bacteria.
Step 12: The culture should be placed on a mild heat source for 10 minutes.
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.This step will allow you to harvest more microworms.The container lid needs to be removed.
Step 13: Add worms to your tank by taking a portion of them.
The worms are crawling on the side of the container and you have to clean it.You won't scoop out the culture media if you focus on the sides.Too much yeast can ruin your aquarium water.The worms can't live in water for more than 24 hours.The container's lid should be replaced as soon as possible.
Step 14: The worms should be put in your aquarium.
Theworms 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.It's best to keep a bare bottom tank when feeding microworms.