Understanding Types and Benefits of Live Foods for Aquarium Fish

Due to the potential digestive issues, I limit feeding live foods to two or three times per week, offering them as a special treat. Additionally, live foods can carry diseases, so it's important to source your starter cultures from trusted suppliers.

There are several types of live foods available, with worms being one of the most common. Below, I’ll outline the main types of worms and provide tips on how to culture them successfully.

Earthworms

If you're lucky enough to have a garden, earthworms can be readily available for harvesting. For those without access, a simple worm farm can be created using any type of box or even an old fish tank. Fill the container with soil or compost, add some worms, and in about a month, you'll have a sustainable worm colony. Keep the soil moist and replace it every three months. If using a wooden box, ensure there are ventilation holes for oxygen circulation. To feed the worms, sprinkle chopped kitchen waste over the soil. Larger fish can enjoy these worms whole, while smaller fish can be fed chopped pieces. Always clean the worms thoroughly before feeding them to your fish!

Grindal Worms

Grindal worms are a small variety of worm, growing to about half an inch, making them perfect for feeding smaller fish. Since they tend to burrow into the substrate, they’re an ideal food source for bottom-dwelling species.

Starter cultures are available online or at fishing tackle stores. To culture them, use a plastic container filled with compost or soil that has a low peat content (they prefer a more alkaline environment). Ensure the container has ventilation holes, and keep the soil slightly damp by lightly spraying it with water every couple of days. Grindal worms thrive in shady areas, and feeding them rotting vegetation will keep the colony healthy. To harvest, simply remove a portion of the soil, place it in another container, and submerge it in water. The worms will rise to the surface, where they can be collected with a net.

White Worms

White worms are similar to Grindal worms but can grow larger, reaching up to one inch. They are harvested in a similar manner to Grindal worms, but I have found better success by feeding them bread soaked in milk. This method provides sufficient nutrients and moisture, eliminating the need to add extra moisture to the soil.

To maintain a healthy worm culture, it’s beneficial to periodically start new cultures from the main one. Simply remove a portion of the medium and transfer it to a new container to establish a fresh culture. This practice helps ensure a continuous supply of healthy worms and mitigates the risk of disease or contamination.

Harvesting white worms is straightforward: they tend to crawl to the top of the container, making them easy to scrape off and feed to your fish. Regularly check the culture for any signs of contamination or excessive moisture, and adjust as needed to maintain a healthy environment for the worms.

Vinegar Eels

Vinegar eels are tiny worms that make an excellent food source for fish fry, comparable in size to juvenile brine shrimp.

To culture vinegar eels, use a standard glass jar filled with a mixture of water and cider vinegar (one part water to three parts vinegar). Add a small amount of chopped apple to encourage bacterial growth, which serves as food for the eels. After two or three days, introduce the starter culture. Cover the jar loosely to allow airflow, and leave it in a warm, dark place for optimal growth.

For harvesting, a very fine sieve or coffee filter can be used to separate the eels from the liquid. Pour the mixture through the filter, retaining the eels while the liquid passes through. Rinse the eels thoroughly to remove any residual vinegar before feeding them to your fish.

The vinegar eel colony can typically thrive for several weeks to a few months, depending on environmental conditions and how well they are maintained. Ensure that the culture jar is kept clean and free of contaminants to prolong the life of your colony.

Vinegar eels are a valuable addition to your live food options, providing essential nutrition for young fish and enhancing their growth and development.

Mosquito Larvae

Mosquito larvae are among the easiest live foods to culture and provide excellent nutrition for fish. To culture them, place a container of water outside and add some edible kitchen waste, sealed in a mesh bag or similar container. This will attract mosquitoes to lay eggs, which will hatch into larvae.

This method is most effective during the warmer months when mosquitoes are active. Excess larvae can be frozen in ice cube trays for future use. However, be cautious about placing the container in areas where mosquitoes could become a nuisance or spread beyond control.

To harvest, strain the water and rinse the larvae thoroughly to remove contaminants. The container may have an unpleasant smell and appearance by the time you collect them, so be sure to rinse them well to avoid introducing pollutants into your aquarium.

While mosquito larvae are a valuable live food source, practice responsible culture techniques to avoid contributing to local mosquito populations. Monitor the container regularly and dispose of any remaining waste responsibly.