Earthworms vs. Mealworms

[BassetsForBrown]

Which do you think is better to feed and why?

Lets assume both are entirely free of parasites, and that if the Earthworms are too large you cut them down to size.

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[fug202]

I'd go with earthworms. Mealworms are the larvae of tenebrionid beetles, and have a thick chitinous exoskeleton that is not easily digested. Most of the mass will just pass through the fish undogested.

 

[Drstrangelove]

According to my research:

lumbricus terrestris (nightcrawlers) are 4% fat, 60% protein.

tenebrio molitor (giant meal worms) are 33% fat, 53% protein.

So earthworms.

 

[luvinbluegills]

Drstrangelove has a much more intelligent response that mine, but because of the digestibility, I go with earthworms. Plus, you can very quickly enrich them with any vitamin mix you wish.

 

[BanjoMinnow]

Talking about digestability I wonder how oscars eat crayfish and digest those badboys I feed my trimac a treat of freeze dried meal worms every once in awhile for some fiber haha.