Gidday all!

I have a poorly fish at the mo (see 911/999), and when I was at Wyvale today I bought some live food and later some romaine lettuce hoping these will help my little one Holly.

The thing is I have never fed this type of food before (not the lettuce the live wriggly thingys), and I don't know how much of the bag to put into the tank. I am keeping them in the fridge (bought only 2hrs ago), and am hoping someone can help me.

Casper her tank mate is a VERY greedy fishy, he has gobbled up the peas and Holly doesn't seem interested in doing very much more than hanging vertically near the top of the tank, I was hoping the lettuce would be around for long enough for her to have a nibble if she wanted.

As I am treating the tank with Melafix, will this affect the live food? Should I use it at all? If no, then how long will they last in the fridge or would I be better of freezing the little beggars?

Thanks, sorry long post!

ChrissyX

It sounds like you have live bloodworms. Small redish worms about an inch or so long? When I have fed live worms to my fish in the past I would get a spoon and get a few on the tip, it can be hard because they like to all clump together, and then put the tip of the spoon into the tank water and let the worms swim off of it for the fish to catch. One word of caution, if you have gravel in your tank they will swim straight down and burrow in it. You want to feed the worms that are all clumping together as the ones that are just off floating on their own tend to be the sickly ones. If you feel like it you can hold a worm in your fingers to try and hand feed to your sick baby.

They should stay good in the fridge for at least a week. I have heard of members that froze any leftovers so they keep longer.

I do not know if you should try to feed to the sick one or not as live foods are a good source of protein and often fish are more willing to eat them than other types of food, but they can also carry diseases. I guess its a question of risk vs. reward.

Thanks so much for your reply Kusackaid, the pack says Daphnia, sorry, should have been more precise!

Do I do the same thing?

Cheers

ChrissyX

I have never seen live daphnia, but have fed frozen before. I would try the same with the spoon if you do not want to touch it. Start with a little as you can always feed more if you need to. Daphnia is smaller than bloodworms but you might still be able to try handfeeding some.