Untreated paddy rice: for raising fry and feeding aquarium microfauna
What is untreated paddy rice?
These are raw rice grains with all their original husks, free from pesticides and treatments, and capable of germinating. Once added to water, germination triggers a bacterial explosion followed by a proliferation of infusoria (protozoa, ciliates, paramecia, etc.), providing a living food chain to start for your cultures (fry and microfauna) and natural aquariums.
Why use it in natural aquariums?
- Feeding microfauna: diverse microbial production and natural food for daphnia, ostracods, and others.
- Express inoculation: a few grains to start the biological cycle of an aquarium or outdoor tub aquarium.
- Ideal for fry: provides extremely fine infusoria if you anticipate and prepare the germination before hatching. The first natural food for the smallest fry.
- Economical and sustainable: a very small amount is enough. 100% natural and versatile product; store away from heat and moisture.
Usage tips
- Daphnia and microfauna: drop 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.
- Aquarium or outdoor tub aquarium inoculation: a few grains are enough to activate bacteria and infusoria. There is no need to add too much: 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” ready 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 breeding: simple, natural starter food, supplemented with phytoplankton.
- Breeding oviparous fish: first food from the moment the fry hatch, with vinegar eels.
- Low-tech aquariums and educational ponds: quick start for the living cycle.
FAQ - Untreated paddy rice
What is the difference from "classic" white rice?
White rice is hulled and polished, so it is of no use because it can no longer germinate and has been stripped of its valuable hulls. Untreated paddy rice retains its hulls and the dormant microbial forms they contain, which seed bacteria and infusoria during germination.
How do you use it for daphnia?
Place a few grains in the breeding bucket or tank. Germination produces phytoplankton and bacteria, which the daphnia will feed on.
How much should you add?
A few grains are enough. Start with a few grains, then increase the amount as the daphnia population (or ostracod population) grows.
How do you feed the fry?
Place some grains to germinate in a small dish of aquarium water (or, failing that, water that has been left to stand) at 22–24°C. Do this in advance, if possible before spawning, as it generally takes about a week for the culture to produce enough infusoria. Once the water has become cloudy (and often foul-smelling!), collect a few drops from the surface and distribute them to the fry, supplementing with vinegar eels.
Storage?
Keep dry and protected from heat. Preferably use within 6 months for optimal germination.
Additional information
- Type: raw rice grains, with all their hulls, 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 provide extensive microbial biodiversity to an aquatic ecosystem (aquarium, pond, etc.).
- Tip: to feed fry, remember to start the culture a few days before spawning. Collect 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 kept dry (approximate weight: 12 g)
- Recommendation: grains not intended for human consumption, reserved for aquarium use.
