Microworms

[IovaykInD]

Is there anything that I could use other than yeast to feed the microworms? I am going to use bread for the substrate and don't know what I could use as the food for the microworms.

 

[BigC]

I have been culturing these for many, many years now with no problems. I breed a lot of Killifish species and they are an ideal first food alongside newly hatched brineshrimp for many species.
Its simplicity itself. All you need to feed them is lightly soaked Ready Brek cereal or softened oats.
Here is my information sheet that I send out with my cultures.
Microworm
1: First you will need a small - medium (about 500ml) plastic pot with tight fitting lid such as a margarine tub or Tupperware. Make a few small holes in the lid for ventilation.
2: Mix oats with boiling water into a thick consistency, if too wet the cultures will smell.
3: Fill the tubs to about 2cm with the oats and allow to cool.
4: Once cool add the contents of your starter culture and close the lid firmly.
5: Store the culture in a dark area at a temperature of 15-20°C.
6: The oats must be kept permanently moist, as if allowed to dry up the culture will die off. You may need to spray the culture occasionally to keep it moist.
7: After a few days you will notice the Microworm climbing the walls of the containers to use them simply scrape them off the edge of the container and swill into the tank. It is important to make sure you do not pick up any of the oats when collecting the worms as this will pollute the tank.
8: As your culture starts to turn brown you will need to start a new culture and then once that culture kicks off dispose of the original. It is a good idea to have a number of cultures running at anyone time, and rotate their use as to avoid exhausting your cultures.
Regards
BigC
P.S. Who told you to use yeast or even a bread substrate for that matter.Yeast has the effect of fermenting the mix and will kill off the culture if too much is used.

 

[IovaykInD]

Almost everywhere I read, it says to sprinkle some active dry yeast. What they say is to put a couple of whole wheat bread slices and mix it with warm water, until it is all mixed together to look like a paste. Then to add the microworms and sprinkle a bit of active dry yeast.

Heres an example:
http/petfish.net/articles/Foods_And_Feeding/microworms.php

What do you think? If I only use bread slices, and add the worms, will they be fine?

 

[BigC]

Hi,
If you follow the outlines that I have given you you will be fine.
Forget the bread and yeast methods. You can add a very tiny amount of bakers yeast to the oats but most people over do this and end up killing their cultures.
I sell microworm and other cultures on this forum complete with the instructions I have given you, if you want to then PM one of my past customers in the following post in regards to my methods.
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=108516
Regards
BigC

 

[IovaykInD]

Can I use only bread and forget the yeast? I don't have any oats and it would be easier for me if I could use bread, since I always have it around. Anyone else have any input?

 

[Arfie]

Can I use only bread and forget the yeast? I don't have any oats and it would be easier for me if I could use bread, since I always have it around. Anyone else have any input?

Yeah

Get some oats and they will reproduce like mad, I got mine off BigC and it works, though mine are reluctant to crawl up the sides ready to be eaten

Arfie

 

[IovaykInD]

So what I'm really asking is if I can just use bread slices to make the paste, and add the microworms. Can I do that?

 

[IovaykInD]

Anyone?

 

[BigC]

Why don't you just try it and tell us Your results, I personally have never tried the method you suggest therefore I cannot comment, what I can say is, the method I use is tried and tested therefore I can only offer you information about what I know.
Regards
BigC

 

[Ptarmigan]

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[IovaykInD]

Yes, I'm talking about microworms. Well, they finally arrived and they were already inside some sort of mix, oatmeal I presume. I let it sit for a couple hours and the worms are already crawling up the sides. They seem to be doing fine, so I will wait. When this mix starts to dry I'll just add some bread of it, so I don't have to change the tub yet.

Thanks for clearing up my idea about yeast, I thought the you needed it for the microworms to feed on. In the future, I'll just use bread and water to make a paste for them to eat and live in.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

ive heard that cornmeal is better than oats

 

[Ptarmigan]

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