Breeding Blackworms

[lousybreed]

I have heard that blackworms when bred in a fish free environment, are parasite free. I was thinking about setting up a breeding tank in the basement where it is cooler. Has anyone done this in the confines of their home? I would probably get a 10 gal tank and sponge filter for this. What do you feed them????

 

[Mako]

I asked this at the LFS recently who carries them, and they said that blackworms are a bug larva. I didn't like the prospect of being caretaker to a bunch of flies or beetles. I don't know for sure though.

Try whiteworms or microworms (the microworms are cool as heck) for smaller fish.

 

[lousybreed]

I asked this at the LFS recently who carries them, and they said that blackworms are a bug larva. I didn't like the prospect of being caretaker to a bunch of flies or beetles. I don't know for sure though.

Try whiteworms or microworms (the microworms are cool as heck) for smaller fish.

I have heard that bloodworms are mosiqito larva but I know that blackworms aren't. I have a resident population thriving in my gravel in my 55.

 

[TheMightyQueenPixie]

blackworms are not mosquito larva...Mosquito larva is sometimes referred to as "glass worms", but not black...From what i know of them, they are anelids (worms) not larva of anytype... I tried culturing them in wet peaty sludge once, apparenty that is how it is done...Cant say the worms did much, but the tank stunk to high heaven...I nixed that project...
There has been some queston as to the safety of these worms...Apparently they can harbour tons of disease...
This is kind of an interesting link http://www.algone.com/black_worms.htm

 

[RTR]

Blackworm culture is not simple, despite claims to the contrary. See:

http://www.simplydiscus.com/library/foods_nutritions/livefood_cultures/blackworms_cultures.shtml

I find it easier to buy, rinse well multiple times over several days before using them, and do not attempt to maintain cultures.

 

[patoloco]

I use tubifex/blackworm worms to feed my fish. I know the risk involved, but that's the best live food I can currently use.

I've tried severals times to create a culture of those smelly worms, and never succeded. I researched for info on the net, and sadly, the highly recommended culturing methods always require decomposing material, and when your worms die, they STINK!

I had a little succes once when mosquitoes poured eggs in the worms container and had mosquito larvae for 3 days. (after that, I suddenly had a bunch of mosquitoes).

And, since we are currently being affected by the Dengue disease and it's carried away by mosquitoes, culturing them is highly riskful right now. Also, if a neigbourg finds out, he can call the cops in no time.