Is it okay to feed my guppy mosquito larvae?

Question

i had a petsmart pamphlet that said i could feed livebearers mosquito larvae. should i do it (for protein purposes, my guppies are breeding) or should i not? also is there any safe way to culture them if i should?

Answer 1

Yes, you can feed them to your guppies (and other fishes). In my experience, i find feeding fishes mosquito larvae helps condition the fish (especially egglayers) for breeding, plus it help keep mosquito population in check.

Answer 2

yeah you should do it. sounds good for them.

Answer 3

you should feed them krill or small ghost shrimp.

Answer 4

Absolutely.  They are a great source of live protein.  As the others said, the best way to culture mosquite larvae is just to put a bucket of water outside and let the mosquitoes lay their eggs in it.  If you put a stick or a rock into the water so that it's partially in and partially out of the water, that will encourage the mosquitoes to lay their eggs there.  The mosquitoes prefer still water and actually don't like to get wet themselves, so you need to give them a place to stand near the water but not in it (thus the stick or rock partially in the water).  

Another good way to let your guppies eat mosquito larvae is just to get a big rubbermaid or other plastic container and put it on the porch, fill it full of water and put some of your guppies into it for the summer and let them eat the eggs and larvae fresh as the mosquitoes lay them!  I have two "tub ponds" like that on my back porch and I have noticed a lot fewer mosquitoes around our house AND I only feed those guppies about once a week and they are all fat and thriving.  They also eat a lot of the free-floating algae in the tub ponds.  The water gets pretty green out there with all the sunshine.  Also, it makes some extra room for all those guppy fry you don't have space for in your tanks!  ;p

Answer 5

I think it should be fine to feed them that. Don't know about culturing them though.

Answer 6

The safest way to culture mosquito larvae is to place containers of non-chlorinated water outside in a shady location. Several containers placed at two day intervals should provide a continuous supply until frost. A good source of water is water removed from your tank at water change time. Harvest the larvae with a "brine shrimp net" and rinse them well before offering them to your fish. If you really get into it,you might harvest enough larvae to freeze a few for winter feedings.

Some don'ts------ Don't bring more larvae into the house than your fish will consume. ------- Don't allow the larvae to mature outdoors,when you see the pupae beginning to develop (large "heads" on larvae) dump the container and refill. ------- Don't allow any larvae to mature,either inside the house or outside, mosquitos are prolific enough.

If you wish to continue this study (there are hundreds of sources of live foods) try to find a copy of the out-of-print book "The Encyclopedia of Live Foods" that was published by TFH Press.

Answer 7

yeah it'd be ok to feed the guppies, thats what they feed on where they naturally live in south america. just dont put so much in there that they cant eat them all and begin to hatch,  you dont want a house full of multiplying mosquitoes. as for culturing them, its nearly impossible. the parents want to fly around especially after laying eggs,  they dont protect them and they will get loose in your house. what i would do is just leave a bucket of water outside and they'll jump on it like a cheetah on a rabbit : ) when you notice eggs just scoop them out with a fishing net and put them in another bowl in your house, not for too long though feed them to your guppies as soon as you can. make sure theres none left in your net, they could still hatch. good luck, and BEST ANSWER PLEASE! i hope you can tell that my answer blew the others out of the water. good luck with your guppies and their newfound food, and happy breeding!