Vinegar eels (Turbatrix aceti) are tiny, free-swimming nematodes that make an ideal first food for fish fry, especially species with tiny mouths like bettas, gouramis, killifish, and rainbowfish. Unlike microworms, vinegar eels stay suspended in the water column, making them easily accessible to newly hatched fry for extended periods.
This 8 oz live culture comes in oat-based apple cider vinegar media, optimized for long-term storage and easy feeding. With minimal care, your vinegar eel culture can thrive for months, providing a self-replenishing live food source that’s always ready when your fry are.
Bettas, killifish, gouramis, and rainbowfish fry.
Breeding projects requiring tiny, suspended live food.
Low-maintenance, shelf-stable fry food solution.
Container: Transfer to a clean plastic container.
Temperature: Room temperature (50°F–78°F / 10°C–25°C)
Lighting: Indirect light is fine; avoid direct sunlight or extreme heat.
Air: Culture needs air exchange – keep the lid loose or use a breathable cover.
When production slows after 1–3 weeks, refresh the media by discarding half of the culture (it can be used to create a new culture or discarded in the trash).
Add oat media and dry activated yeast.
Scrape worms from the sides of the container using a cotton swab, paint brush, or finger.
Rinse into a small cup with dechlorinated water or use directly.
Drop into the fry tank— worms swim towards the surface and remain active for several days.
Feed the culture with yeast after harvesting.
Prepare the Oat media by soaking organic oats in dechlorinated water for 12 hours.
Spread hydrated oats (~1/4 inch thick) in a clean plastic container.
Add one teaspoon of dry activated yeast.
Transfer a scoop of the old culture as a starter.
Store at room temperature.
Vinegar Eels: These are the smallest in my store. They are free-swimming worms that can swim at the water's surface.
Walter Worms: These worms are small and sink slowly. They survive in an aquarium for 2 to 6 hours.
Micro Worms: Another type of small worm, these also sink and survive 2 to 6 hours in the aquarium.
Banana Worms (Large variety): These small worms sink quickly and survive in an aquarium for 2 to 6 hours.
Vinegar eels (Turbatrix aceti) are tiny, free-swimming nematodes that make an ideal first food for fish fry, especially species with tiny mouths like bettas, gouramis, killifish, and rainbowfish. Unlike microworms, vinegar eels stay suspended in the water column, making them easily accessible to newly hatched fry for extended periods.
This 8 oz live culture comes in oat-based apple cider vinegar media, optimized for long-term storage and easy feeding. With minimal care, your vinegar eel culture can thrive for months, providing a self-replenishing live food source that’s always ready when your fry are.
Bettas, killifish, gouramis, and rainbowfish fry.
Breeding projects requiring tiny, suspended live food.
Low-maintenance, shelf-stable fry food solution.
Container: Transfer to a clean plastic container.
Temperature: Room temperature (50°F–78°F / 10°C–25°C)
Lighting: Indirect light is fine; avoid direct sunlight or extreme heat.
Air: Culture needs air exchange – keep the lid loose or use a breathable cover.
When production slows after 1–3 weeks, refresh the media by discarding half of the culture (it can be used to create a new culture or discarded in the trash).
Add oat media and dry activated yeast.
Scrape worms from the sides of the container using a cotton swab, paint brush, or finger.
Rinse into a small cup with dechlorinated water or use directly.
Drop into the fry tank— worms swim towards the surface and remain active for several days.
Feed the culture with yeast after harvesting.
Prepare the Oat media by soaking organic oats in dechlorinated water for 12 hours.
Spread hydrated oats (~1/4 inch thick) in a clean plastic container.
Add one teaspoon of dry activated yeast.
Transfer a scoop of the old culture as a starter.
Store at room temperature.
Vinegar Eels: These are the smallest in my store. They are free-swimming worms that can swim at the water's surface.
Walter Worms: These worms are small and sink slowly. They survive in an aquarium for 2 to 6 hours.
Micro Worms: Another type of small worm, these also sink and survive 2 to 6 hours in the aquarium.
Banana Worms (Large variety): These small worms sink quickly and survive in an aquarium for 2 to 6 hours.
