When raising small fish, you need a source of food. One of the cheapest and easiest ways to feed small fish is to raise your own microworms. Microworms are actually nematodes, or round worms. With approximately one million nematode species, you should get a microworm culture starter from an accurist to make sure the little fish are getting a healthy diet.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting Supplies
Step 1. Visit a pet store or aquarium store in your area
Ask for a microworm culture starter. If you can't find a store that sells them, find other aquarium owners and ask them to sell you a small group of microworms.
Step 2. Purchase plain oatmeal and thick Tupperware plastic containers
You can also use used yogurt or margarine containers, or you can use plastic drinking glasses with aluminum lids.
Step 3. Purchase a packet of activated yeast at the grocery store's pastry section
Step 4. Use a small knife to make several holes in the top of the plastic container
You need air circulation for microworm cultures to thrive. If there are fruit flies nearby, it is recommended that you make a hole in the top of the container, then insert a filter cotton into the hole to prevent fruit flies from getting into the container.
Part 2 of 3: Mixing Flour for Culture Starters
Step 1. Cook a serving of oatmeal according to the directions on the package
Cook the oatmeal a few minutes longer than directed, and use less water. Make very thick oatmeal.
Step 2. Pour about 1.6 cm of oatmeal into the bottom of the plastic container
Use a spoon to flatten the oatmeal in the bowl.
Step 3. Take a pinch of active yeast from the package
Sprinkle yeast on the surface of the oatmeal. Sprinkle a little water on the surface of the yeast. Stir the yeast just enough to get into the oatmeal with a spoon.
Step 4. Add a spoonful of microworm culture, then spread the culture starter on the surface of the oatmeal mixture
Step 5. Cover the culture and store the container in an undisturbed place at room temperature
Wait for one week. You should start to see the microworms climbing up the walls of the container when they are ready to be harvested.
Part 3 of 3: Harvesting Micro Worms
Step 1. Don't wait too long to harvest the microworms, or the container will be filled with feces and the food will be bad for the small fish
If this happens, create a new culture starter group and put some worms in it, so that the worms get new food.
Step 2. Remove the lid of the container
Wipe the side of the plastic container the worm has climbed with your finger or a rubber spatula. Dip your finger or a spatula into the tank to rinse it.
Step 3. Watch the worms fall to the bottom of the aquarium
Nematodes don't swim, so fish must eat them at the bottom of the tank.
Step 4. Feed the worms to the fish directly with the eye dropper
Dip the eye dropper into the worm culture, then remove the worms in the dropper into the tank.
Tips
- Many aquarists make new culture starters every few days to a week to keep a constant supply of food for the small fish. If you do, label the container, so you can use it by time.
- Use the old culture to start a new culture.
