Freeze Dried Vs. Frozen

[Vegan Peaches]

Yeah, LFS was all out of the freeze dried bloodworms I'd been buying, so I got some frozen ones instead... they are messy and very meaty, but my cories went nuts over them... well ... after they figured out what the heck they were. My LFS clerk told me they weren't as good for fish as the dried ones, but they look so much more colorful and full of nutritious fishy goodness, so yeah, what's up with that? Anyone know if frozen foods are worse for your fish? I've never bought them before, but I'd like to switch because my cories were funny to watch once they got ahold of them.

 

[Matty]

my LFS told me that frozen was better than freeze-dried...wierd.

 

[newfishaddict]

Yeah, LFS was all out of the freeze dried bloodworms I'd been buying, so I got some frozen ones instead... they are messy and very meaty, but my cories went nuts over them... well ... after they figured out what the heck they were. My LFS clerk told me they weren't as good for fish as the dried ones, but they look so much more colorful and full of nutritious fishy goodness, so yeah, what's up with that? Anyone know if frozen foods are worse for your fish? I've never bought them before, but I'd like to switch because my cories were funny to watch once they got ahold of them.

Frozen are great just rinse them in tank or de-chlorinated water very well. My fish seem to "prefer" frozen check this out http/www.oscarfish.com/viewtopic.php?t=40993

 

[Vegan Peaches]

Whoa, freeze dried has 10x the crude protein as frozen 0.o Maybe that's what my LFS clerk was talking about.

 

[Bignose]

There is 10x the crude protien since the frozen food is frozen in water. On a per tot weight basis, the water doesn't add any nutrition. But on a per worm or per daphnia or per food only basis, freeze dried and frozen are basically identical. It is often incorrectly stated that freeze drying removes vitamins and minerals. Freeze drying retains well over 90% of the vitamins, just about as good as any other food preservation method.

It's all about convenience for you -- freeze dried is easier to keep, and some people don't like to keep frozen worms in thier freezer next to the people food. Of course, one's fish may prefer one or the other, though like new's fish.

Both should be fed in the same way, take a small about of tank water or dechlorinated water and put the frozen or freeze-dried food in the cup and wait a few minutes. You want the frozen food to thaw, and you want the freeze-dried food to rehydrate. Then you can feed to your fish.

 

[Dangerousdan]

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[CFC]

Freeze dried food only causes bloat if it isnt rehydrated first, fed in its dehydrated form fast feeding fish can consume larger quantities of the food which then starts to swell inside the fishes stomach.

Personally i only use frozen or live, i once tried some freeze dried tubifix worms when no live or frozen was available due to a problem with the local area supplier but the fish wouldnt eat it.

 

[Dorkhedeos]

uh oh, i never rehydrated my freeze dried stuff i always thought that freeze dried stuff had to be rehydrated with hot water

 

[Inchworm]

I use a lot of freeze dried tubifex worms, but none of the freeze dried bloodworms. While they might not be as appetizing in appearance, they do provide a lot of protein for a very low cost. I buy them by the 110 gram can for just $8.99. I've raised many batches of cory fry on them once they outgrow microworms.

To rehydrate them, all you have to do is hold a cube of them under the water and slowly rub your fingers together. In just a minute or so they will soften and separate. They will then gradually sink to the bottom where they bottom feeders can eat them. Other fish catch them on their way down.

 

[Flumpus]

My puffer and gobies just look at me funny when I try to feed them freeze dried. They don't even know it's food So I only use frozen bloodworms.

 

[lljdma06]

They will then gradually sink to the bottom where they bottom feeders can eat them. Other fish catch them on their way down.

On the way down! Barely! My harlequins are notoriously piggy, and will not give my corys a fighting chance. So I have to distract the harlequins and then sneak off to feed the corys, but my imbellis are smart, and they follow me. Tonight might be tubifex night, except for Hunding, he gets some choice little snails from my main tank. They're his favorite and he loves that weekly special treat.

 

[Inchworm]

Sometimes I use the frozen food, but I am never really as comfortable with it as I am with either the live or freeze dried worms.

It doesn't take long for uneaten frozen bloodworms to break down and breed harmful bacteria. Whenever I have an outbreak of bacterial infections, it's usually at a time that I have been feeding them the frozen food. This never happens with freeze dried tubifex or well washed live blackworms or tubifex worms.

 

[Vegan Peaches]

Huh. I didn't know you had to rehydrate freeze dried stuff; it doesn't say to do so on the can. I'll remember that if I ever purchase them again, but my cories are really loving the frozen stuff... if something breaks out, I'll switch back, but I don't have the heart to do that now.