Mosquito vs. Midge

[finnfinnfriend]

Originally Posted by Olympia

Is the difference perhaps that the mosquito larvae are herbivores while the midge larvae are omnivores/carnivores?
Posted via Mobile Device

The ML eat bacteria and MOs so they aren't herbivore, right?

[Olympia]

Oh, that link someone posted said they filter feed on bits of algae.

[finnfinnfriend]

I think this link is better :)

http://www.wumcd.org/mosquito/larvae.html

[Hallyx]

ML float and eat anything that passes by. BW sit on surfaces, including the bottom, and eat anything that passes by.

My frozen BWs have ~4% protein, 0.3% fat, 0.7% fiber, 95% moisture.

My FD BWs have 48% protein, 2% fat, 6% fiber, 6% moisture.

I'm off to find the breakdown on ML. This ain't gonna be easy.

What's this I read on other sites that too much protein causes bloat or digestive distress? First I've heard of it.

[finnfinnfriend]

Here's frozen white mosquito larvae...I'm not sure if that's the right kind though /:
http://www.sfbb.com/Glass-Worms_36.php

[Hallyx]

Went here:
Bloodworms vs Mosquito Larvae? [Archive] - Aquaria Central

And found this:

San Francisco Bay Frozen White Mosquito Larvae (glassworms)

Crude Protein Min 5.40%
Crude Fat Min 1.10%
Crude Fiber Max 1.00%
Moisture Max 93.00%
Dry Protein 77%

vs. San Francisco Bay Frozen Bloodworms

Crude Protein Min 4.50%
Crude Fat Min 0.20%
Crude Fiber Max 0.70%
Moisture Max 95.00%
Dry Protein 90.00%

[finnfinnfriend]

I am officially confused. The bloodworms have more dry protein!

[Hallyx]

Looks like it. But I have no idea what that is or what it means.

[finnfinnfriend]

Originally Posted by Hallyx

Looks like it. But I have no idea what that is or what it means.

I thought it meant that's how much protein it would have if it was completely dehydrated...

[Hallyx]

Sounds right. But My FD BWs have 48% and my Omega One pellets have 42% protein and 11% fat!---plus all kinds of added vitamins and nutrients.

And there's no way to evaluate the "completeness" of the protein---that is the number and amount of branch-chain amino acids. Meat/fish, dairy and eggs have complete protein. Other foods have protein lacking one or more "essential" amino acids (Lysine, leucine, isoleucine and something). I don't know what else insectivores need.

I believe Indjo that worms are fatty critters, but larvae are what wild Betta eat, along with adult insects and crustaceans (?). If they get fat from BWs, maybe it's from being fed too many. Look how much fat is in a premium pellet.