How many days can black worms remain fresh

[gwand]

I bought a small quantity of freshly washed black worms today from my lfs. First time I bought them. My Anomalochromis thomasi and Alestopetersius caudalis went wild for the worms. I have never seen them get so excited before. Fun to watch. The lfs told me to keep them refrigerated and to wash them daily in fresh water over a mesh like cheese cloth. How many days will they stay alive? Thanks.

 

[Back in the fold]

I do not know the answer to that question but you will know pretty soon and can let us know . You are lucky to have that particular food available to you .

 

[otterblue]

Mine usually run out before they go bad - they run out usually about 7-9 days. It may depend on the volume of water they're kept in.

 

[gwand]

Mine usually run out before they go bad - they run out usually about 7-9 days. It may depend on the volume of water they're kept in.

So you store the worms in water? Mine were sold to me in a plastic container. No water.

 

[MaloK]

3 rules for any rinsed worms.

Store them in the refrigerator.
Rinse them daily with cool, dechlorinated water.
Keep the water level shallow so they can reach the surface for air.

Edit: When it's too late, you'll see.

 

[otterblue]

So you store the worms in water? Mine were sold to me in a plastic container. No water.

I get mine from a fish store that has them in baggies of water. I keep the baggie in the fridge. I usually add extra aquarium water to the baggie because the worms seems to last longer.

 

[Herpin Man]

I find that if you rinse them daily (or every other day), keep them cool, and don't overcrowd them, they can last several weeks. That assumes you are starting with quality worms. If I buy them at one particular LFS, for example, they will be dead in a few days regardless of how much I rinse them.