This listing is for a starter Colony of blackworms, 500 - 1,000+ worms from one of my big breeding colonies.
My colonies are completely leech and pest free. Fed a diet of blanched zuchini, Mulberry leaf and my grindal worm food pellets.
blackworms rank among the best food that you can feed to your fish. Not only are they rich in protein and nutrients, but they can survive for an indefinite periods of time in a freshwater tank – which means that unlike other foods, they will never foul the water and will live until eaten by your fish.
I have personally kept black worms for years now, and they remain my go to food for finicky fish. If you have a fish that won’t accept store bought food for one reason or another, then you should always start with offering them blackworms
One of the benefits to culturing blackworms is that they are one of the easiest live foods to culture. They are also hardier than many of the other live foods, and aren’t nearly as prone to large die offs as daphnia or adult brine shrimp.
Cultivating:
The method most commonly used for breeding blackworms is to use a shallow container filled with narrow strips of paper towels. While this is method is most commonly used in a laboratory setting, it also provides a reliable supply of blackworms for feeding to fish. However I also add a single slice of blanched zuchini to my cultures for feeding.
To start with, you will need a non toxic container that can hold at least 4 inches of water. Blackworms prefer shallow water, and will do best if they are kept in containers that hold between 4-6 inches of water. In the past I have used plastic sweater containers, or an old 5 gallon aquarium, but it doesn’t matter what you use, as long as won’t leach toxins into the water
Any water used for a blackworm culture should be treated to remove any chlorine or chloramine and if you have access to it – spring water is often the best choice. Barring access to spring water, aged aquarium water also makes a good choice – as long as it’s from a well established aquarium.
After you have prepared the container and added water, it’s time to add the substrate. For this method you should use brown or organic paper towels. They should be torn into small strips, and added until they cover the entire bottom of the container. Some may have a tendency to float at first, but they should begin to sink after a short period of time.
Depending on the paper towels you use, they should last 10-14 days before they need to be replaced. You can add new strips of paper towels after a water change, and the key is to provide enough paper towels so that the bottom is fully covered.
The water in the container should be changed at least once every two weeks, but for optimal results, you should try to change the water every week. To change the water, simply take the container to a utility sink or toilet, and pour out most of the water – making sure not to lose any worms. Once it has been poured out, you can then add new water to top it up.
It’s also very important to remember that a blackworm culture needs aeration, and you should provide either an air stone or a small sponge filter. While a sponge filter will provide a far more stable culture, without an air stone the culture will likely experience slower growth.
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(Blackworm are an excption to this, they like the cold!)
IF IT IS COLD in your area 72 and 96 hour heat packs are available for purchase to ensure your package arrives in the best possible condition. Purchases containing live fish are NOT covered under our 100% live arrival guarantee if they are shipped in freezing temperatures (60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower) WITHOUT the WARMTH of a shipping warmer and may be denied shipping to PRESERVE the LIFE of the animal.
IF IT IS HOT in your area ice packs are available for purchase to ensure your package arrives in the best possible condition. Purchases containing live fish are NOT covered under our 100% live arrival guarantee if they are shipped in burning temperatures (90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) WITHOUT the COOLING of a shipping ice pack and may be denied shipping to PRESERVE the LIFE of the animal.
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All orders are shipped out on monday-tuesday to prevent overnight stay at the post office on weekends.
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LIVE ARIVAL GUARANTEE. PLEASE READ
Express shipments and ups 2nd day air are the safest option for live animal purchases, thermal lining, foam lining, ice packs, heat packs and 2nd day air options are avaliable. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Due to the possibility of delays and package mishandling DOA are rare but sadly they do happen, to reduce the risk of a doa please do not order fish when your outdoor temperature is above 90 or below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Doing so may void the live arrival guarantee and it is the responsibility of the buyer to be aware of the temperature in there location.
Make sure there is someone there to recieve the package!! Thank you.
In the event of a DOA please send me pictures within 1 hour of delivery of the un oppend bag and then it's contents clearly visible. If pictures are not sent within the first hour of delivery then the contents are not covered under the live arrival guarantee and may not eligible for a refund.
Pictures must be CLEAR and of the UN-OPENED bottle/ bag. After receiving pictures of the doa a re ship or refund is possible for the cost of the product losses minus shipping. (Shipping costs are non refundable)
Shipping cost can be recovered through usps in the event a package arrives damaged. All priority shipments and express shippments are provided with $50-$100 insurance for in the event the package is damaged in transit or for Express shipments that are delayed. Insurance claims can be filed with through usps.