Untreated paddy rice: fry breeding and food for aquarium microfauna
What is untreated paddy rice?
These are raw rice grains with all their original husks, without pesticides or treatment, capable of germinating. When placed in water, germination triggers a bacterial explosion followed by a proliferation of infusoria (protozoa, ciliates, paramecia…), enough to start a living food chain for your breeding (fry and microfauna) and natural aquariums.
Why use it in natural aquaristics?
- Feed the microfauna: diverse microbial production and natural food for daphnia, ostracods, and others.
- Express seeding: a few grains to start the biological cycle of an aquarium or trash pond.
- Ideal for fry: provides extremely fine infusoria if you anticipate and prepare 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, to be kept away from heat and humidity.
Usage tips
- Daphnia and microfauna: throw a few grains into rested water (to remove chlorine) or aquarium water. In a few days, dormant forms of zooplankton (and phytoplankton) contained in the shells will awaken and multiply.
- Seeding aquarium or trash pond: a few grains are enough to start bacteria and infusoria. No need to add too much: the strains best adapted to the environment will multiply and colonize it on their own.
- Fry: start germination a few days before hatching to have an "infusoria soup" at the right time. Water at 22-24°C speeds up the process, and you can then take a few drops of this culture to feed the fry.
- Storage: keep away from heat and humidity. Preferably use within 6 months.
Recommended uses
- Breeding daphnia: simple and natural starter food, complementing phytoplankton.
- Reproduction of oviparous fish: first food from the hatching of fry, with vinegar eels.
- Low-tech aquarium and educational ponds: quick start of the living cycle.
FAQ - Untreated paddy rice
Difference from "regular" white rice?
White rice is hulled and polished, so it has no value because it can no longer germinate and has been stripped of its precious husks. Untreated paddy rice retains its husks and the dormant microbial forms they contain, which seed bacteria and infusoria during germination.
How to use it for daphnia?
Put a few grains in the breeding bucket or tank. Germination feeds phytoplankton and bacteria, which daphnia will feed on.
How much to add?
Few grains are enough. Start with a few grains, then increase as the population of daphnia (or ostracods) grows.
How to feed the fry?
Put grains to germinate in a small dish of aquarium water (or, if unavailable, rested tap water) at 22-24°C. Do this in advance, preferably before spawning, as it usually takes about a week for the culture to produce enough infusoria. When the water becomes cloudy (and often smelly!), take a few drops from the surface and feed the fry, supplementing with vinegar eels.
Storage?
Keep dry, 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 great microbial biodiversity to an aquatic ecosystem (aquarium, pond, etc.).
- Tip: to feed fry, start the culture a few days before spawning. Take the culture from the surface where infusoria gather, attracted by light and oxygen. A small lamp can also attract and concentrate them in a specific area for collection.
- Temperature: germination works best 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.
