Catastrophic Loss of Life

[Stab]

Isn't it amazing that when disaster strikes it tends to whipe out the rarest fish...? Now I know why I had a strange feeling when looking at live black worms on Tuesday night. They appeared "weird" and a tiny voice in my head suggested that I throw them away. Instead I told the voice to STFU and fed the fish... End result: 1 eel catfish (20") DEAD, 2 fossil cats (4") DEAD, 1 ornate bichir (8") DEAD. I also have anoher eel cat that is not looking too good... Thank god that I did not offer any of these black worms from hell to my uarus or bay snooks

 

[BIGgourami]

where do you get blackworms?
obviously not YOUR blackworms, but where can i find some?

 

[Stab]

I get blackworms from Petland Discounts. Its a chain of stores similar to PetSmarts but smaller (and friendlier). I see you are from around Chicago. If so, there should be Petlands in your parts as well. Here in NY they get fresh black worms twice a week, and they usually are very fresh. But as I have just learned it only takes one time for them not to be fresh...

 

[GJC]

That Blows

 

[BIGgourami]

yes we do. i go there fairly regularly, but only for freshwater fish stuff.
i had no idea they sold blackworms. have to check that out.

 

[Miguel]

but what really happened? was it the worms?

 

[Stab]

All of the fish mentioned (except fossil cats -- I've only had these for about 2months but kept in a separate tank all along) were fed a diet of hikari sinking pellets and live blackworms almost exclusively for at least 2 years. Never had a problem. Now disaster stikes 2 tanks that happen to be the only ones I fed black worms... So yeah, I am pretty sure that the food is to blame