From Wikipedia - Turbatrix aceti. Turbatrix aceti (vinegar eels, vinegar nematode) are free-living nematodes that feed on the microbial culture, called mother of vinegar used to create vinegar, and may be found in unfiltered vinegar. Vinegar eels are often given to fry (baby fish) as a live food, like microworms.
This is an ideal first food for most killie fry, as unlike microworms that sit on the bottom of the container, vinegar eels stay swimming in the water column closer to the fry. Also they will live until eaten, unlike microworms.
Now I was never keen on these until Ian Mitchell, a member of the NEY group, showed us a completely new method of culturing and collecting them, which is easy and quick (I like these). Rather than a solution of vinegar, the eels are cultured in treated tapwater to which some "Golden Syrup" is added. I add about 2 teaspoons of syrup to a 500ml bottle, which gives the water a slight golden yellow tint. Next add some liquid from an old culture of yours or someone else and you have a new culture. This will last for a very long time even if not used, so is ideal for any unexpected fry. Small pieces of apple can be added, but is not necessary, and I was told that this will promote an increase in the number of worms.
Collection is easy, as a small piece of cloth is dipped into the culture for a few minutes, then lifted and allowed to drain any excess liquid back into the bottle. The cloth is then rinsed into some clean treated tapwater, and 100s if not 1000s of eels are transferred. These can now be fed directly to the fry container(s), without any fear of polluting the water.
A new method that I have recently heard about, but never tried myself so far is to culture them in a very similar fashion as you would for microworms. Use "Ready Brek" or some other similar dry oat mixture then add a 50/50 mixture of cider vinegar and water to a smooth consistency and add your vinegar starter culture. The eels will climb the side of the container and can be collected from there.
This is an ideal first food for most killie fry, as unlike microworms that sit on the bottom of the container, vinegar eels stay swimming in the water column closer to the fry. Also they will live until eaten, unlike microworms.
Now I was never keen on these until Ian Mitchell, a member of the NEY group, showed us a completely new method of culturing and collecting them, which is easy and quick (I like these). Rather than a solution of vinegar, the eels are cultured in treated tapwater to which some "Golden Syrup" is added. I add about 2 teaspoons of syrup to a 500ml bottle, which gives the water a slight golden yellow tint. Next add some liquid from an old culture of yours or someone else and you have a new culture. This will last for a very long time even if not used, so is ideal for any unexpected fry. Small pieces of apple can be added, but is not necessary, and I was told that this will promote an increase in the number of worms.
Collection is easy, as a small piece of cloth is dipped into the culture for a few minutes, then lifted and allowed to drain any excess liquid back into the bottle. The cloth is then rinsed into some clean treated tapwater, and 100s if not 1000s of eels are transferred. These can now be fed directly to the fry container(s), without any fear of polluting the water.
A new method that I have recently heard about, but never tried myself so far is to culture them in a very similar fashion as you would for microworms. Use "Ready Brek" or some other similar dry oat mixture then add a 50/50 mixture of cider vinegar and water to a smooth consistency and add your vinegar starter culture. The eels will climb the side of the container and can be collected from there.