Live tropical fish food is an effective way to promote the wellbeing of aquatic pets, helping keep your aquarium clean by filtering out microorganisms and parasites that could otherwise threaten their wellbeing.
Your local pet store or other sources, like local fish clubs or reptile and aquarium retailers will likely carry a selection of live fish food.
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Brine Shrimp
Brine shrimps (Artemia salina) are tiny crustaceans found worldwide in saltwater lakes, rivers and marshes. Due to the harsh conditions present in salty lakes that influence their survival and reproduction, brine shrimp have evolved in response to survive under changing salinities of water bodies with varied salinity levels.
Freshly-hatched brine shrimp provide an excellent natural food source to promote fast and healthy fish growth in both saltwater and freshwater environments.
These small crustaceans have evolved to thrive in different temperatures, water salinities, and humidity levels – making them ideal live food sources for aquariums. Plus, their high levels of nutrition make them a fantastic source of protein for many different fish species!
Brine shrimp nauplii are easy and cost-effective ways of stocking aquariums, making nauplii a good addition. However, they should be regularly circulated around your tank in order to stay healthy for your fish and remain strong as these creatures lack digestive and excretory systems at this stage.
Daphnia
Daphnia are an easy and low maintenance live tropical fish food option that provide their aquatic environment with spice. Early fishkeepers used them as an exciting addition to their tanks; today they still make great additions.
These creatures thrive in green water created by feeding them a small amount of plant fertilizer, and feed on a wide array of foods, such as Euglena algae, micro-organisms, vegetable matter yeast dried milk egg yolk and manure.
To maintain a thriving colony of Daphnia, water quality must remain clear and constant with respect to oxygen levels, temperature and light intensity. A separate container should be set aside specifically for Daphnia as they will quickly succumb to lack of oxygen if placed into warm jars of water containing too much warmth – move between containers as necessary so they’re in their ideal environment for growth and thrivement.
Vinegar Eels
Vinegar Eels (Turbatrix Aceti) are non-parasitic nematodes that thrive in unpasteurised apple cider vinegar and are an easy and cost-effective way to feed live tropical fish. They provide live food sources while being easy to culture.
Fish larvae go through six stages of development from egg to adulthood over five weeks – from egg, through four larval stages and finally adulthood. Fish fry or juvenile fish will find this food source immensely rewarding!
Cultured colonies can be easily cultured and are affordable to maintain. Spent batches can be revived by pouring off half the colony, adding apple cider vinegar, apple slices and covering for 2 to 4 weeks more before pouring off any more of it and waiting another 2 or 4 weeks.
Microworms
Microworms make an excellent live tropical fish food option. Easy to cultivate and reliable in their harvest potential.
These pellets contain 76% water and 24% dry matter, rich in protein and fat content, along with fish oils and astaxanthin to enhance coloration in specific species of fish.
They are also highly adaptable to environmental conditions and can be fed to many varieties of aquarium fish, though young fry that can easily swim around and consume sinking food are best suited.
These treats can also serve as supplements or treats for larval newts, sallies and frog tadpoles, while adult tropical fish and aquarium bottom feeders enjoy them as nutritious treats.
