two (2) days giving the fry a constant food source without over feeding.
The Microworms have a whitish color and will move & wiggle
in the water which triggers the eating reflex of baby fish.
Nutritional information: (48% protein, 21% lipids, 7% glycogen,
1% organic acids, and 1% nucleic acids)
Microworms are not harmful to humans.
CULTURING INFORMATION
Culturing Microworms is very easy!
At normal household temperatures (70-75 F or 20-28 C)
you will find the culture of microworms at it’s peak productivity.
Range: 68-85 F
MATERIAL NEEDED TO START A MICROWORM CULTURE:
1. Any Clean, Soap & Chemical free Container with a tight
Plastic Container with a tight Snap On Lid.
(Note: the microworms will crawl up the inside of
the container, the deeper the better. Clear, allows you to
observe the culture and how it is doing.)
use the inexpensive Glad or ZipLock containers.
Have extra containers to start more future cultures.
starch based medium. We use Instant Mashed Potato Flakes or Oatmeal. Baby Cereal or
Corn Meal can also be used.
3. Water that you would use for your Aquarium.
(No Chlorine or other Chemicals)
4. Bakers Active Dry Yeast
5. Microworm Starter Culture
With a sharp, thin knife or razor blade put several
small slits in the top of the container lid (for
This will allow air in but not insects / fruit flies or gnats.
pin to poke holes in the lid. You can also punch or cut a small hole in the center of the lid then cover it
with fine mesh like nylon stocking, coffee filter, paper towel,
Use good tape or super glue to attach it. Place about 1/2 to 3/4 inch layer of dry Potato Flakes or
in the bottom of the container. Oatmeal can be
cooked but is not necessary. I've used it both ways.
The Microworms live on the top of the mixture and
a deeper Medium serves no purpose.
Moisten with water until saturated but not runny.
Use only enough water to make a paste
Not Watery.
Sprinkle a small pinch of yeast over the top.
Add Microworm Starter Culture.
Place lid on Container.
Within 3 to 7 days the Microworms will start to
crawl up the side of the container.
COLLECTING THE MICROWORMS
Using something with a flat edge, scrape the Microworms off the
side of the container. Be careful not to dip into the starter
culture on the bottom. I use a 2 1/2 inch 4 sided mini wooden stick,
normally used for crafting (Purchased at Walmart in Crafts area).
You can also use a toothpick, popsicle stick, plastic knife...
Some people use a small paint brush, Q-tip or finger.
Whatever works best for you!
FEED THE FISH!
A culture can produce Microworms well for 2 weeks
& up to 6 weeks or longer.
Start a new culture or more every 2 - 4 weeks using the method above.
It is also good to have several cultures going at the same time
just in case something happens to one. I feed multiple tanks daily so
I start several new cultures every week to ensure I always have enough.
Once a culture has quit producing, wash the container well. Rinse making
sure there is no soap residue. Re-use the container for the next culture.
Using the method above, you can produce a continuous supply of Microworms.