How do you keep California worms alive?

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West1

Peacock Bass
MFK Member
Sep 27, 2007
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I bought 2 lbs of worms and the lasted me about a week. I want to get more but dont know how to keep them alive. They looked like bigger bloodworms

I kept them in the bag they came in and in the fridge
a buddy of mine kept them in a shoebox with water (just a lil water over them)

Whats the correct way to house them????????

Thank You
 
yes, your friend's method should be fairly effective, but not indefinite
 
you need one of those worm carrier things so you can change the water easily.

Live%20Black%20Worms.jpg


there are too parts with a sieve/strainer so you lift the firstpart, change the water in the second part, fill with new water, ect.

They die quickly if in bad water
 
dbcb314;3066973; said:
you need one of those worm carrier things so you can change the water easily.

Live%20Black%20Worms.jpg


there are too parts with a sieve/strainer so you lift the firstpart, change the water in the second part, fill with new water, ect.

They die quickly if in bad water


So would you say change the water every day?
And where did u get that tub at?

Thanks for the info:drool::D
 
Eric, I've seen those containers at a LFS.... the only problem is they were asking $14.99 ea! There was a guy on this forum that sold a few but they went quick.... it's pretty much a strainer and it helps with the water changes.... about a 6"x6"x3" tub.

Who's this buddy guy.... seems like he's on his game! :D

** A follow-up question.... do you need to feed them anything while they're in the container in the fridge **
 
I'm able to keep a lb for 2-3 weeks in 6 by 6 tempeware container similar to the one in the picture. I just change their water daily and raise the water level 1/2 an inch above the worms. I don't feed them anything.
 
i kept mine in the bag too, they were fine but I did water changes every morning and night.

Thanks again Sean. :D
 
I keep them in the fridge in a plastic coffee can. Fill with water, change daily. I've heard that the best way to keep them is to use a cat pan and keep it in the sink. Let a slow trickle of cold water overflow the pan constantly. The worms stay at the bottom, so you wont lose any.
 
Here's some info about California blackworm care. You can use a wide and shallow tray, just make sure not to lose your blackworms down the drain!

http://www.aquaticfoods.com/blackwormcare.html

And here's the guy's thread here on MFK http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231218

I rinse mine every 12 hours the first 2 days and then once every day with prechilled water. I keep them in the frig and do not feed them. I've kept them for as long as 4 weeks but they didn't look as bulky by then.
 
I have mine in tupper wares... And water ranges from just over... to about an inch over the top of the worms... I also keep them in a 40 g half filled with water... And change the water daily to weekly...

I keep them in 1 lb. in the tuppers in the fridge... And change water daily on those...

I have however went through 50 lbs. in the past 30 days.... Most of it resold...

You can keep them in a 5 gallon bucket as long as they do not get to hot.. I find that the easiest way when dealing with a lb or two.. As water changes are REAL EASY ;) Turn on the hose... Put it flowing to the center of the bucket.. The bucket fills up... Stop.. Let the worms settle... Dump the majority of the water out.. Put the bucket back in a cool area... And your good till the next day :)
 
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