Gregory Kelley - Keeping Live Fish Foods

The following information will be very important to your success:

Space and Temperature

Select a space in your home that is away from doorways, windows, cool drafts, heater vents, space heaters, a stove, fireplace, small children and pets.

I prefer to keep some of my live fish foods in a cupboard or on a small shelf where they cannot be disturbed.

Lighting

Many of the cultures featured in this book dont require lighting and some do.

Size

Some live fish foods are so small that you may need a microscope in order to see them.

Some of the following live fish foods are very difficult for some to see up-close unless you are able to see small things:

Banana Worms Size: They grow up to 1.25mm in length.

Micro Worms Size: They grow up to 1.75mm in length.

Walter Worms Size: They grow up to 1.5 mm in length.

Vinegar Eels Size: They grow up to 1.5 mm in length.

If you cannot see them, you may need a microscope.

And even though you may not be able to see them, small fry can.

Safety

Assume that all live fish foods have the ability to harbor germs.

Wash your hands well before and after handling. In fact, instead of using your bare hands, try using tools like plastic spoons, droppers, Q-tips and Popsicle Sticks when handling your live fish foods.

Keep all live fish foods and culturing supplies separate from cooking utensils and where you would normally prepare your foods.

Clean your culturing table surface with lemon juice or vinegar and water and properly discard of all waste.

Avoid leaving containers open and keep all containers away from small children and pets.

Properly discard of smelly, dying and dead cultures. Do not release any live fish foods into the wild. When discarding most live fish foods, add bleach, allow them to sit and then pour down the drain. Live fish foods containing soil, coconut fiber, flour, oats etc. can be tightly sealed in a storage bag and discarded in the trash bin.

Please be aware that there may be laws in some areas that regulate the disposal of live fish foods. Please know the laws in your area and follow them.

Containers

You can use a wide range of containers. Some hobbyists prefer to recycle food containers with lids such as deli containers, yogurt cups, sour cream containers, cottage cheese containers and plastic water bottles etc.

Wine, soda and beer bottles can be used to culture vinegar eels and infusoria. Glass mason jars can be used to keep Banana Worms, Micro Worms, Walter Worms and Grindal Worms. Pickle jars, mayonnaise jars, plastic candy containers and other jars which are fit for human food consumption can also be used.

Containers of all sizes that I use on a regular basis

(pictured above)

A basic rule is to keep it simple and please be certain to rinse your containers with hot water and avoid using soap and harsh chemicals when cleaning your containers. Avoid containers which might contain oils, food residue and spices which might harm your live fish foods and/or fish.

Medium/Media and Commercial Fish Foods

Medium/Media is an item that you will place in a container for your live fish food to live on, move around on, reproduce in; sometimes eat, leave waste on and die on. A lot of activity will be happening on the medium.

Most medium can be purchased inexpensively at a local store.

Mediums such as Oatmeal, Corn Meal, Coconut Fiber,

Apple Cider Vinegar and Water are commonly used.

(pictured above)

Mediums such as Oatmeal can be used for Micro Worms, Banana Worms and Walter Worms.

A Variety of Ingredients and food on a shelf.

(pictured above)

Vinegar and Water can be used for Vinegar Eels.

Coconut Fiber , Top Soil (if desired), Foam and Filter Floss can be used for Grindal Worms and White Worms.

Aged aquarium Water or Rain Water can be used for Infusoria.

Commercial Fish and Pet Foods can be fed to a variety of live fish foods. I wouldnt rule them out completely. You can blend them into a powder, mix with water and feed them to a variety of live fish foods. It will solely depend on what you intend to use them for.