Hey there - I react violently (allergy wise) to freeze-dried bloodworms - but I'd still like to give the boys a special treat every once in a while....since its that time of the year here, would it be alright to scoop some mosquito wigglers out of some of the ponds here and feed them those?
Are they close enough to bloodworms?
Or should I stick to giving them cheddar?
(they get a pin head every week)
2007-05-26 16:52:49 · 7 answers · asked by freshbliss 6 in Pets ➔ Fish
Mosquito larvae are the natural food of Bettas. If you can't capture any from a pond(be sure and rinse) You can fill a few small containers with aquarium water and start your own hatchery.(Don't tell the neighbors what you are up to.) Another way to obtain live food is to move the little guys outdoors(use large containers for thermal stability) and provide a timer controlled night light so the flying insects will be attracted to the area. Let nature take it's course. Good luck,and have fun with your fish.-----PeeTee
2007-05-26 17:06:11 · answer #1 · answered by PeeTee 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I really don't think this is a good idea. As stated before, mosquito larvae (or any insects found in ponds) often contain harmful bacteria which your fish hasn't been conditioned to fight. You don't want to bring any of these diseases into your water.
Mosquito larvae are a great choice of live food for bettas since it's what they eat in their natural habitat. Try leaving a fruit out in the open or a cup of water. Don't disturb it and eventually mosquitoes will come and breed. However, make sure you scoop out the larvae before they turn into mosquitoes or else you are gonna have one heck of a problem.
2007-05-27 14:10:11 · answer #2 · answered by ninjaaa! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to feed mosquito larva , don't get it from a pond! Use a large container from home, fill it whit water and put it outside were it won;t be bothered! You will get larva! Good luck! Bettas love brine shrimp, try it!
2007-05-26 17:38:52 · answer #3 · answered by slybry0466 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No! Mosquito larvae found in ponds could be contaminated by bad bacteria or parasites. They can introduce harmful, if not deadly diseases to your poor little betta! It would be much much much better to buy some sort of brine shrimp or black worms from a fish store. As a general rule, do not ever introduce something from the natural environment to your fish tank unless you want problems!
2007-05-26 16:59:09 · answer #4 · answered by pentech_99 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Never bring anything out of the ecosystem like a fish into your tank, bacteria and parasites that are in nature are not usually the same ones found in your typical aquarium therefore your fish does not have the antibodies etc to fight such things..
However if you could some how "grow" your own like reptile owners grow rats and crickets etc... I would think that it would be a good idea though unlikely...
2007-05-26 17:19:58 · answer #5 · answered by minky_2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are natural food for the Fighter Fish, but I would have been concerned about getting them from a place where they can easily be contaminated with some kind of bacteria which could be harmful for the fishes. NEMO
2007-05-26 18:59:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to skip the bloodworms, you can feed them brine shrimp, live or frozen. I also feed mine Live Blackworms from time to time, they love em. I get the blackworms from my local fish store.
Never feed your pets stuff from outside, it could be toxic, have parasites or worse.
2007-05-26 17:33:59 · answer #7 · answered by Palor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
from a pond not good.
Place a bucket of water, doesn't even have to be a lot, outside and soon you will find fresh larvae for your fish.
2007-05-26 17:05:51 · answer #8 · answered by MusicalHeart 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋