Untreated paddy rice: raising fry and feeding aquarium microfauna
What is untreated paddy rice?
These are raw rice grains with all their original husks, without pesticides or treatment, and capable of germinating. When added to water, germination triggers a bacterial explosion followed by a proliferation of infusoria (protozoa, ciliates, paramecia, etc.), enough to start a living food chain for your cultures (fish fry and microfauna) and natural aquariums.
Why use it in natural aquariums?
- Feed microfauna: diverse microbial production and natural food for daphnia, ostracods, and others.
- Fast seeding: a few grains are enough to start the biological cycle of an aquarium or a pond-in-a-bin.
- Ideal for fry: provides extremely fine infusoria if you anticipate the need and prepare germination before hatching. The first natural food for the smallest fry.
- Economical and sustainable: a very small quantity is sufficient. 100% natural and versatile product, to be stored away from heat and moisture.
Usage tips
- Daphnia and microfauna: put a few grains into rested water (to allow the chlorine to dissipate) or aquarium water. Within a few days, the dormant forms of zooplankton (and phytoplankton) contained in the husks will awaken and multiply.
- Seeding an aquarium or pond-in-a-bin: a few grains are enough to start bacteria and infusoria. There is no need to add too many: the strains best suited to the environment will multiply and colonize it on their own.
- Fry: start germination a few days before hatching so you have an “infusoria soup” at the right time. Water at 22-24°C speeds up the process, after which you can take a few drops of this culture to feed the fry.
- Storage: keep away from heat and moisture. Preferably use within 6 months.
Recommended uses
- Daphnia culture: simple and natural starter food, in addition to phytoplankton.
- Breeding oviparous fish: first food from the moment the fry hatch, together with vinegar eels.
- Low-tech aquariums and educational ponds: rapid start-up of the living cycle.
FAQ - Untreated paddy rice
How is it different from “classic” white rice?
White rice is husked and polished, so it is of no interest because it can no longer germinate and has been stripped of its valuable husks. Untreated paddy rice retains its husks and the dormant microbial forms they contain, which seed bacteria and infusoria during germination.
How do you use it for daphnia?
Put a few grains in the bucket or culture tank. Germination produces phytoplankton and bacteria, which the daphnia will feed on.
How much should be added?
A few grains are enough. Start with a few grains, then increase the amount as the daphnia (or ostracod) population grows.
How do you feed the fry?
Put grains to germinate in a small dish of aquarium water (or, failing that, rested tap water) at 22-24°C. Do this in advance, if possible before spawning, because it will generally take about a week for the culture to produce enough infusoria. When the water has become cloudy (and often foul-smelling!), take a few drops from the surface and feed them to the fry, supplemented with vinegar eels.
Storage?
Keep dry and away from heat. Preferably use within 6 months for optimal germination.
Additional information
- Type: raw rice grains, with all their husks, capable of germinating.
- Size: infusoria are microscopic animals, slightly larger than bacteria, sometimes visible with a good magnifying glass.
- Use: production of numerous and diverse bacteria and infusoria, intended to feed fry and microfauna, or to bring significant microbial biodiversity to an aquatic ecosystem (aquarium, pond, etc.).
- Tip: to feed fry, remember to start the culture a few days before spawning. Take the culture from the surface, where the infusoria gather, attracted by light and oxygen. A small lamp can also attract them and thus concentrate them in a specific area for collection.
- Temperature: germination is more successful at 22-24°C.
- Packaging: 20 ml sachet of grains to be stored dry (indicative weight: 12 g)
- Recommendation: grains not intended for human consumption, reserved for aquarium use.
