Today my training has succeeded. All the fish accepted eating Frozen Bloodworms. They are acually midge larva. I have slowly been adding a few frozen worms with the live blackworms. This morning (as usual) they were all waiting for food, so I just added the frozen to see their reaction. To my surprise they attacked them as if they were alive.
I thaw the worms to room temps., then swirl them into the tank so as to give a little movement to them.
This is a big step for me and the fish since live blackworms are not readily available in my area…. and generally all reports say they only eat live foods. Now I believe they can be conditioned to take frozen foods too, at least as a supplement.
As a small predatory fish, I’m surprised this worked so well today. I have seen them “lock in” on a moina and follow that one all over the tank to eat it, yet ignore the others that are closer, even bumping into them.
Amazing little fish they are!!!