Black worm question

[gwand]

The only food missing from my fishes’ diet are live foods. For a variety of reasons I can’t start my own cultures (ie. spouse objections). I finally found a lfs where I can buy live black worms. How do estimate how many worms to put into the tank? In my 20 gallon community tank I have seven 1/2 inch endlers, four 1 inch dwarf platys and a pair of 2.5 inch Mollys. In my 60 gallon tank I have six 2 inch a. thomasi, six 1.5 inch yellow tail Congo tetras and a pair of p. pulcher Ndonga.

 

[Colin_T]

We used Tubifex worm feeders and put a tablespoon of worms in each one. Any worms that didn't get eaten set up home in the gravel. You would probably only need half that amount for your fish.

Can you culture Daphnia, mozzie larvae, white or grindal worms or rotifers?
The worms can be cultured in icecream containers. Daphnia and rotifers can be grown in containers of green water. Mozzie larvae appear in containers of water kept outside in the shade and with a few leaves in.

 

[GaryE]

I used to buy small containers of blackworms to feed all my medium sized dwarf cichlids. I suspect they'd be big for endlers. Beware though, they tend to trigger breeding and its accompanying behaviours.

They aren't tubifex, a whole other issue.

 

[anewbie]

Frankly for the fishes you listed i wouldn't mess with black worms.

 

[gwand]

Frankly for the fishes you listed i wouldn't mess with black worms.

Why not. Not even for a. thomasi and p. pulcher-Ndonga?

 

[sharkweek178]

Try grindal worms. They're super easy and don't need much space.

 

[AJ356]

Try grindal worms. They're super easy and don't need much space.

I think the wife said no. I'd get a new wife, or atleast get rid of the current one and culture whatever you need. Fish come first.

 

[anewbie]

Why not. Not even for a. thomasi and p. pulcher-Ndonga?

Maybe the a. thomasi though i suspect he would be happier with platy or guppy frys/youngsters. The a. pulcher isn't a big meat eater so i wouldn't push him in that direction.

You just don't have the traditional heavy meat eaters most of your fishes are going to want salad or invertebrates.

Btw you could feed the a. thomasi some brine shrimp (larger than baby brine shrimp) if your pet shop sells those - most do.
--
Anyway that is just me - the problem is worms that you don't culture yourself can carry disease or other negatives and too many can be bad for the fish and nearly all of your fishes are not heavy meat eaters to begin with.

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Frozen is a close second to live and less gross

 

[Marc Pozz]

Frozen is a close second to live and less gross

Yeah there’s a great range of frozen foods available