Puffer Pantry Care Guide

Feeding, Culture Setup & Live Food Guide

What Are Scuds? (Gammarus spp.) Explained for Aquariums

Scuds (Gammarus spp.) are small freshwater amphipods — hardy crustaceans commonly used as live fish food, cleanup crew, and micro‑ecosystem builders. They thrive in simple setups, reproduce steadily, and help maintain water quality by eating detritus, algae, and leftover food.

Aquarists keep scuds for:

• feeding pea puffers, bettas, cichlids, and other nano predators
• enriching tanks with natural foraging behavior
• maintaining biofilm‑rich, self‑sustaining ecosystems
• starting long‑term live food cultures at home

How to Set Up a Scud Culture (Beginner‑Friendly Guide)

1. Add scuds to a container or tank with dechlorinated water.
2. Add a small piece of food (algae wafer, blanched veggie, or leaf litter).
3. Provide hiding places like moss, sponge, or botanicals.
4. Keep at room temperature; gentle aeration is optional but helpful.

What Scuds Eat — Best Foods for Gammarus

Scuds are omnivorous detritivores, meaning they eat both plant‑based and protein‑based foods, with a strong preference for biofilm and decaying matter.