Some gardeners grow plants, others are dedicated to beekeeping. Raising water fleas is a rather rare hobby, but one that is particularly worthwhile for aquarium owners. In addition, cultivation is very inexpensive and can even be done in the rain barrel in the garden. On this page you will find out everything you need to know.
Breeding water fleas - a worthwhile hobby
Do you own an aquarium and would like to spend less on fish food in the future? Then breed the food in your own garden in the rain barrel. Water fleas require little care and as live food they offer the following advantages for your fish:
- High fiber content
- Simple breeding
- Wishly accepted by fish
- Easy to cultivate in the garden
- Cost savings
- Keep your fish moving with live food
Note: Do not confuse the high fiber content with the nutrients. Water fleas provide these in comparatively small quantities. They are therefore not suitable as sole food.
Advantages of growing in the rain barrel
- Space saving
- Water fleas destroy algae
- You don't need to control the water temperature.
- No additional feeding necessary
Breeding instructions
Facilities
So that your culture develops well, we recommend an initial population (€6.00 on Amazon) of around 100 water fleas. You can get this from specialist retailers. Otherwise, all you need is a rain barrel and, if necessary, some food for the water fleas.
Location of the rain barrel
It is best to place your rain barrel in partial shade. It should be neither too warm nor too cold. By the way, water movement prevents algae from forming due to leftover food. A little draft can't hurt.
What do water fleas eat?
In contrast to growing indoors, you hardly need to feed them when kept in a rain barrel. However, for good development, it is definitely advisable to initially supply the water fleas with nutrients. Suitable is
- Spirulina powder
- Yeast
- Floating layers
- Microcell
- Liquizell
- Microplan
- Bubble snails
Harvest
Every five to ten days you can remove a few water fleas from your population and feed them to your fish. However, you should limit yourself to a small amount to ensure the continued existence of your culture.