Live Food For Cichlids

[star4]

I am always looking at what different foods I can feed my cichlids. However tonight, by accident, I discovered something that they rather liked.

I was just starting a water change on my 300l tank when I saw a large spider run along the top and onto the top of the 400l tank and disapear down the back. I thought nothing more of it. I came to do a water change on the 400l tank and as I lifted the flap there was the spider, unfortunately it lost its grip with the lid being wet and landed in the water. My fish obviously were expecting a treat as the lid was lifted and they were all there waiting in anticipation when the spider hit the water, then water then boiled! bits poor spider torn to bits in seconds and devoured.

Its made me wonder about other insect foods, is it something anyone else feed to their fish? crickets etc. I have seen the servs on many occasions trying to eat a fly through the glass.

 

[jmkgreen]

I put a spider in my tank for the first time last night. Had to sprinkle some flake before any fish spotted it. Tiger barbs took the legs before my severum took the rest. Daddy long-legs went in this evening, no idea who got that one.

AFAIK as long as you consider what you're doing (nothing daft) most small insects will probably be ok. Something like a butterfly would probably be considered daft of course..!

Garden worms are usually thumbs-up too, wash them first though. Some comment that you can't guarantee there are no bad things held within them, but unless there's reason to worry I would be minded not to be too concerned.

 

[blue acara]

Ants are a decent food. I kill them in boiling water then put them in.

 

[Spishkey]

i feed mine allsorts of insects star...plus as the oscars tank is an open topped tank (covered with mesh) i find many bugs and creepy crawlies find their own way in! flys, grasshoppers, maggots, crickets, spiders, beetles, woodlouse, craneflys, ants, and the occasional earthworm treat when im doing the garden. just be careful they havent been sprayed with anything! at the moment we have a bit of a mosquito colony in the fish room, the fish have a field day in the early evenings when the mosquitos come out to play.......

 

[star4]

I have a 5ft tank sitting in the garden (one of my projects when I get round to it!) its 1/4 full or rainwater (bit green) and loads of lavae in it. Would it be safe to net the lavae and put that in for them?

Cant do earthworms as the garden is all paved

 

[Spishkey]

yes i have many water butts outside full of mosquito larvae and net some out regularly for all the fish!

 

[jmkgreen]

1. Yep

2. Don't you get drainage problems when it rains heavily?