Live food for the aquarium - part 2

This atricle contunies Part one

Daphnia

• Nutritional value: pearl mussels are high in protein (approximately 50-60% of dry matter) and also contain fat (around 10-20%)
• Description: Body length varies between 0,2 and 5 millimetres, with most species not exceeding 1 millimetre in size. The body is protected by a transparent carapace that allows the internal organs, including the heart, digestive system and eggs in females, to be seen. A distinctive feature of guinea fowl is their two antennae, which they use to move around. They move jerkily, earning them the nickname "water fleas". These antennae act like oars, allowing the pearlfish to swim in irregular leaps, which helps them avoid predators and find food.
• Where to get it:  From breeders or specialized shops.
• Natural bodies of water: Daphnia are naturally found in freshwater tanks, ponds, pools or lakes. If you have access to clean bodies of water, you can collect Daphnia yourself using a fine net. This method is inexpensive, but keep in mind that you can introduce other organisms or pathogens into your aquarium with them.
• Planting: grow Daphnia in containers of dechlorinated water. They thrive in algae-rich water (green water).
  Keeping and maintenance: It is important to maintain stable conditions when breeding. Feed them algae, yeast or commercial plankton food. Maintain green water by exposing the culture to sunlight or artificial light.

Rotatoria, Rotifera

• Nutritional value: They also contain a small amount of fat (around 10-15%), which is essential for the health of fish and other aquatic organisms.
• Description: tiny microscopic animals that mainly inhabit freshwater environments, but are also found in saltwater and moist soils. Their size is usually between 0.1 and 0.5 millimetres
• Suitability for spawning: if the water they are placed in is similar to that in which they were hatched, they can survive for a long time and thus be available for a longer period of time.
  Where to obtain:
  • Purchase: As a broodstock, they are most commonly available:
    • Armadillo, namely Brachionus plicatilis. This one, however, needs salt water with 5 - 40 g of salt per litre of water. Interestingly, it can be kept together with Artemia. 
    • or the freshwater Brachionus calyciflorus.
  • Catch from nature: when transferring whirligig broodstock from the wild, the material must be filtered through screens daily to remove larger plankton and debris. Dormant eggs of larger plankton can revive and cause problems, so caution is needed when re-inoculating from mud. In the presence of predators, such as Cyclops or Asplanchna, eddies create hard shells that are difficult for the fry to digest.
• Keeping and maintenance: keeping whirlpools is relatively simple. They need clean water, suitable nutrients and a stable environment. For example, spirulina, yeast, dried algae can be used as food for whirligigs. Fine food should be mixed with water first.¨

Cyclopoida

• Nutritional value: protein: 40-60 %, fat: 10-20 %, carbohydrate: small amounts, usually up to 10 % of dry weight. In addition, chickpeas contain essential fatty acids (such as omega-3 and omega-6), vitamins (such as vitamin A and E), minerals (such as calcium and phosphorus) and other important micronutrients. This composition makes them a high-quality food for fish that supports growth, health and reproduction.
• Description: small crustaceans of the order Copepoda that play a vital role in freshwater and marine ecosystems. These tiny animals, usually measuring just a few millimetres in length, are found in huge numbers in aquatic ecosystems around the world
  Where to get them:
  • Purchase: From breeders or specialized shops.
  • Natural collection: Cyclopoids are often found in freshwater pools, ponds or lakes. If you have access to clean bodies of water, you can collect cyclopoids using fine netting. However, keep in mind that other aquatic animals may be introduced with them, so it would be advisable to filter them carefully before using them.
• Rearing and maintenance: These crustaceans can be propagated in small tanks with reasonably clean water and a supply of phytoplankton or commercial plankton food. It is important to maintain a stable environment, as bumphead minnows are sensitive to water quality and temperature changes.

White Worms, also known as Grindal (Enchytraeus buchholzi)

• Nutritional value: they are a highly nutritious food, containing about 70% protein and about 10-15% fat.
• Description: Enchytraeus buchholzi is a small, light white worm about 1-2 centimeters in length, naturally found in soil and moist environments.
• Where to Get: Purchase from breeders or specialized shops.
• Breeding and Maintenance: These worms prefer slightly acidic to neutral environments and reproduce easily in captivity if basic conditions are met—moisture, optimal temperature, and sufficient food. Breeding can be started in small containers with a layer of substrate, such as coconut fiber or soil, kept moist. Worms can be fed plant scraps, oatmeal, or various types of bread. The substrate should be kept moist but not too wet to avoid the overgrowth of mold or bacteria. When conditions are stable, the worms reproduce very quickly, ensuring a constant supply of food for aquarium fish.

3. Feeding Live Food in Your Aquarium

• Frequency and Quantity: Adjust the frequency and quantity according to the size and type of your fish. Start with small amounts to avoid overfeeding.
• Precautions: Ensure that live food is free from contaminants and pathogens. Quarantine new cultures to prevent the spread of diseases.

4. Scaling Up Cultures

• Multiple Containers: Use several containers to ensure a steady supply and reduce the risk of culture failure.
• Optimization: Experiment with different feeding regimes, temperatures, and levels of aeration to maximize yield and maintain quality.

5. Troubleshooting

• Culture Spoilage or Collapse: This often occurs due to overfeeding, lack of aeration, or contamination. Monitor cultures closely and establish backup cultures as a preventive measure.
• Low Yields: These may result from insufficient food, incorrect temperature, or poor water quality. Adjust parameters and split overcrowded cultures.
• Risk of Disease Transmission from Wild-Caught Live Food: Choose collection sites where there are no fish and ideally no waterfowl to minimize the risk of disease transmission.

6. Advanced Techniques

• Selective Breeding: Select and breed live food strains for desirable traits such as size or nutritional content.
• Automated Systems: Introduce automated feeding and harvesting systems for large-scale cultures, which are particularly useful in breeding facilities.

By cultivating your own live food, you not only ensure the best nutrition for your aquarium inhabitants but also engage in a rewarding aspect of the aquaristics hobby that brings you closer to the natural dynamics of aquatic ecosystems.