Microworms are a good nutritional supplement for newly hatched or very small fish.
The cultures can be successfully maintained in plastic containers as small as a single serving yogurt container.
The medium is composed of oat or corn meal mixed with soaked cereal (the more protein in the cereal the better). Microworms flourish best if 1-2 tablespoons of deactivated brewers yeast is mixed into the medium. Add water to the mixture until the consistency is that of a thick milk shake. The medium is then transferred to the plastic container and filled at a depth of approximately half an inch.
A cover, with some small holes, will keep the medium moist and provides sufficient air supply. The temperature should be kept between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-24 degrees Celsius).
The starter culture is then mixed into the medium. 3-5 days later, the first batch is ready to be harvested. Once every 2 days, the medium should be stirred to ensure proper aeration. More corn meal or oats can be added if the medium gets too watery. A sub culture can be obtained by using the top 1/8 inch as a new starter that can be stirred into a new medium mixture. The top of the old mixture should contain enough microworms for the new mixture.
Harvesting is very easy, as the microworms start crawling up the sides of the container and are easily scraped off.
The downside of cultivating microworms is that the cultures last only for 2-3 weeks. Old cultures will adopt a slight beer like smell. As subcultures are easy to initiate, cultivating microworms will provide a very productive live food source for a long period of time.
Starter cultures can be obtained by live food vendors, brewers yeast should be available in health or specialty stores.
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