Earthworm surviving underwater

[redchaser]

Once in a while when I drop an earthworm in the tank for my warmouth, he won't get to it quick enough and the worm will quickly work its way under the gravel. I figured they would just drown and get picked up when I vac the gravel. It's been well over a week and a half since a worm has gotten by my fish. Tonight I was vacuuming the gravel and I sucked up a worm that was still alive and as healthy as can be.

I did some googling and found out that because they absorb oxygen through their skin, earthworms can survive underwater for extended periods provided that the water is well oxygenated.

These were just worms out of my backyard.

 

[le patron]

thanks for sharing

 

[srikamaraja]

Definitely happened to me in a crayfish tank.

 

[liberator177]

also happened to me but I didnt know why, thats for sharing

 

[birmansandbettas]

No kidding! Thanks, will keep that in mind.

 

[JOEG.]

good info

 

[likestofish]

That shows you have good oxygenation. I would be glad about that.

 

[redchaser]

That shows you have good oxygenation. I would be glad about that.

I've got a Diy trickle filter that has a total of about 20 inches of drop above the water level in the sump so the water does have lots of time to get oxygenated.

 

[Chris E]

The only problem is that after the extended period of time they still die, and if a good size can be just as bad as having a dead fish in your tank rotting, with the added bonus of not being able to find it

I always kill the worm first by cutting it in half, that way it still thrashes around and excites the fish.

 

[Eoibio]

=D LOL at above comment