Help! Feeding my Badis "Scarlet" sp.

[SKAPSYCHO]

Hello,
How can I get these guys to eat? I have live grindal worms, but I'm not sure how well they are doing. In the meantime, they seem to ingore the freeze dried daphnia, flakes, and other general foods I offer.
Will they take frozen bloodworms or anything like that?
Please help! These fish rock my face!
~MJay

[wetmanNY]

It's generally agreed that Badis species are not good about eating things that don't move. Freeze-dried daphnia is a possibility sometimes. Flakes are out of the question.

My Badis ruber are fast coming to adult size on Lumbriculus blackworms. Too big for the little fellows?

BTW, your miniatures are now called Dario dario.--an old name in fact. I have a few notes on Badis and Dario at www.skepticalaquarist.com (in with Labyrinth fishes)

[SKAPSYCHO]

Hello,
Would it be a good idea for me to stick a few guppies in the 5 gallon tank to generate babie (live food!) for the Badis fishes?
I wonder... too bad I don't have a hook up with someone who has a pair of convicts...
~MJay

[wetmanNY]

Or would that encourage your guys to eat fish fry-- later perhaps including their own.

I cultivate blackworms almost without meaning to, by keeping them in beds of Java Moss. Would Dario dario eat microworms, which are easier to cultivate than grindal worm, --which are most often recommended for these fussy eaters.