live foods

Subject: live foods Tue Apr 21, 2009 2:52 pm

I am looking for more live food ideas. I am forbidden any more air pumps or lights; and no more tanks inside. Rolling Eyes

Summer here is short and only 5-6 months are snow-free so nothing can be outside permanently.

I am already planning to start:
banana worm cultures
microworm cultures
vinegar eel cultures
grindal worm cultures
white worm cultures

I also heard that leaving a 4-5 day old micro worm culture open outside can attach flies and I can obtain maggots that way.

Mosquito larvae in a 5g bucket are easy.

Some "safe" bugs/worms I can identify - like cabbage butterfly caterpillars in my garden (no pesticides used).

I heard fish eggs are a great treat for fish (for fishers and those who know some)

Any other ideas?
Fish flake is expensive where I live ($20 for 1 lb) and I am too far off the beaten track for cheap shipping.

Questions:
Is it possible to freeze all the foods listed above?
Is there any way to dry the foods - preferably without electricity?

Subject: Re: live foods Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:05 pm

Yes they can be frozen .I don't know on the drying parts but im sure you could google it or bing it.

Subject: Re: live foods Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:07 pm

Damn, how did everyone miss this thread? I really don't have much to add.

Subject: Re: live foods Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:19 pm

I cant believe it went unnoticed either.

Subject: Re: live foods Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:02 pm

Not sure how we missed this either.

I agree on the freezing part. On the second question are you talking about freeze drying? or just drying?

Subject: Re: live foods Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:09 pm

Black worms and Crickets come to mind.

Member Posts : 79 Age : 47

Good ole Canadian nightcrawlers are good as well, Redworms too. Soak them in some luke warm water to get them to expel their bowles (poop).

All matter of worms and creatures can be frozen for later use.

Keeper

Subject: Re: live foods Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:53 pm

Gammarus. a.k.a. freshwater shrimp in some place. They're actually a freshwater amphipod. If ya can find a native species, stick 'em in a tub with 3"-4" of sand in the bottom and hardy native aquatic vegetation. Fill it with water, let it sit for a few days and then catch the Gammarus and add 'em. They'll die off as the weather turns cold, but with any luck eggs will make it to next year and it'll start all over. A word of caution, though, ya have to be careful with parasites.

Also fairy shrimp (Anostraca sp.). I collect mine from rock pools in a huge rock formation west of Cheyenne, in the seasonal pools up on top. Culture the same way, without plants. They are closely related to Artemia brine shrimp. I've had poorer luck sustaining cultures from year to year than with Gammarus, and the nutrition value is lower than a lot of other live foods.

WYite

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live foods

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