LIVE FOODS...
(Anisops and Sigara spp.) Either collected wild from ponds and wetlands, or cultured in warmer weather outside in open containers. Boatmen are herbivorous, feeding on freshly fallen leaves and aquatic plants; whilst back-swimmers are carnivorous, feeding on mosquito larvae and zooplankton.
mayfly, stonefly larvae etc. Collected from most fast flowing, cobbled streams, these native insect larvae constitute the natural diet of many of our native freshwater fish species. They are best collected by holding a net downstream whilst dislodging the rocks rocks above. When sorted they can be either immediately fed, kept alive in a cool aerated container, or frozen into ice cubes for later use when other live foods are scarce.
The range of different freshwater macroinvertebrates available is huge!
Able to be cultured, these animals are closely related to mosquito larvae, however with non-biting adults. They are commonly found in the edge sediments of lakes and in decaying leaf mats. These small insects are an ideal food for bullies and torrentfish.
"Bloodworms" are the larvae of non-biting midge flies.
- Brine shrimp
Artemia salina are readily cultured from eggs purchased from pet shops, these salt-water shrimps can hatch in as little as 24 hours as a live-food small enough for most juvenile fishes.
- Cockroaches
Easily cultured, the main inconvenience with this food is the undesirability of handling, and the consequences of escape! Nymphs (juveniles) are best fed whilst adults are best maintained as breeding stock.
- Flies and maggots
Flies may need to be held with forceps to sink, whilst maggots are ideal although may drown quickly. Depending on the season, they can be captured as needed, cultured, or simply attracted to suitable bait e.g. rotting liver or cat food.
- Garden worms
(Order Oligochaeta) Intentionally cultured, as a by-product of composting, or simply found under rocks and debris in the garden. Also a natural food, worms are readily taken by all native freshwater fishes, with their typically prominent large size being the major limiting factor to successful engulfment by the fish.
- "Hoppers"
(Order Amphipoda) and "Slaters" (Order Isopoda) Commonly found in, and under logs and rocks (which may be left out specifically for this purpose) in moist places. These two terrestrial animals have equivalent marine and freshwater species which may also be fed, surviving well in freshwater and remaining active.
- Mealworms
(Tenbrio molitor) Cultured on bread, oat flakes etc. these beetle larvae grow readily, metamorphosing into adults, some of which are retained as a breeding stock. Best cultured covered in a warm place e.g. hot water heater, and with a source of moisture (such as pieces of vegetables or wet bread). The larvae are palatable to all native fish (especially kokopu) following adjustment, although bullies may only be attracted to the smaller larvae.
- Micro-worms
Order Oligochaeta Cultures are available through many aquarium retailers, and consist of dirt containing small white worms. Maintaining the culture in a warm place and with food, Light harvesting maintains a growing population. Especially suitable for our smaller mouthed species and torrentfish.
Family Culicidae - Whilst usually only available through the warmer months, growth and hatching can be greatly slowed to allow a supply in winter by placing containers in cool, shaded spots. Harvesting of pupae ('commas') before hatching will prevent problems with adult mosquitoes arriving from cultures, whilst also acting as a lure to outside laying adults helping to prevent laying of eggs occurring in areas that otherwise would have been unnoticed.
Gambusia affinis they are abundant in summer when their breeding rate skyrockets, the variety of sizes makes it ideal for almost all native predatory fish. Readily taken by kokopu and bullies, Gambusia probably constitutes a very high quality protein source in the diet. Can also be frozen whole into ice blocks for use when they are not so abundant. It should be noted that it is illegal to keep this species in captivity (Freshwater Fisheries Regulation 1984) so they should be killed immediately upon capture (e.g. place in ice water). In no instance should these fish be introduced into a permanent waterbody, they should only be used as an immediate source of food for fishes. Their ecological impacts on our native freshwater fauna may be severe. Native fish food is all that they are good for!
- Tubifex worms
(Family Tubificidae) Related to garden worms, these are often found in temporary or low oxygen sediments (e.g. wetlands, residual stream bank pools etc.) with their heads down in the mud and their tails waving in the water for oxygen. With the same food suitability as for bloodworms these highly pollution tolerant animals are less commonly found in higher quality waters.
- Zooplankton
Sometimes called "waterfleas" e.g. Daphnia spp., are often found in habitats lacking fishes or other larger predators such as in stock troughs. Not suitable in aquaria with a rapid current(!) they are still readily taken by water-column feeders e.g., kokopu. They can be cultured in containers outside with either direct inoculation of the species, or simply by allowing a community to develop, whereupon they will happily coexist with such arriving species as boatmen and mosquito larvae. The small size that some of these species are found makes them a good food for newly hatched fishes.
A "waterflea" (Cladoceran sp.).
- Other invertebrates
Since most native fish will take almost anything small and moving that they can fit in their mouth, their is an endless variety for the native freshwater fish aquarist with which to fit their captive species. Major determinants of suitability of the food item range from the obvious (will it fit?) to the more subtle (how long can it hold its breathe before it becomes a little rotting carcass?!)