Nutritional benefits of bloodworms....?

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R

rtague

Candiru
MFK Member
Dec 16, 2009
247
17
48
new york
Hi all,
just wondering what you guys thought of the value of bloodworms in terms of growth.I see that they're something like 3.5% protein,very low.I love to watch my fish go nuts for them,but would'nt it be better to stick with NLS which has 38% protein (Thera +A).I was feeding the worms at night but have cut it down to once a week as a treat.Any thoughts?.
 
Certain species almost eat them exclusively, especially when small -- younger knife fish and young eels. I've noticed that my knives have grown to a size where they now eat tilapia and pellets. My eels have also outgrown bloodworms. They now want a more meaty diet.
 
While protein may be lower there may be other vitamins, minerals, and ammino acids found in blood worms, I'm not a scientist but I feel it is best to feed a variety of foods and that formula has worked for me for many years now. My fish always grow to there full size in the expected period of time, show brilliant colors, and live as long as they're supposed to live.
 
Live bloodworm (midge fly larvae - Chironomidae tetans) contains the following nutrients:
- 6-8% crude protein.
- iron rich (percentage varies with health and feedings of larvae)
However, bloodworms don't contain a wide range of amino acids. So, do not feed as a primary or sole food type.

Ocean Nutrition frozen bloodworms:

Ingredients: Blood worms, vitamins (ascorbic acid, beta carotene, biotin, hydroxocobalamin [source of vitamin B12], niacin, riboflavin, thiamine HCL), amino acids (methionine [dl-methionine], l-lysine, taurine), and trace elements (calcium chloride, potassium iodide, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, magnesium carbonate, zinc sulphate).

Guaranteed Nutrition Analysis:

Crude Protein (min) 8.3%
Crude Fat (min) 1.2%
Crude Fiber (max) 3.9%
Moisture (max) 81.7%
(Protein as a percentage of dry matter - 45.3%)
 
yeah blood worms aren't really that nutritious, but i think they make great treats, i feed them to my fish every now and then and they love them, they are also great for weaning fish like knives off of live and onto prepared foods but yeah i would stay away from using them as a staple
 
Thanks everybody,yeah,I'm gonna stick with them once a week as a treat.How about earthworms,I got plenty of 'em out back:D
 
earthworms definitely have more nutrition, they make great healthy snacks but like said before i think a varied diet is best, stick with pellet for staple and feed all the bugs you want as treats, that's what i do and my fish are growing like weeds :) since i moved into the city i can't use any of the bugs i find outside since the stupid HOA people spray pesticides all the time, but back when i lived with my parents in the country my fish got all the grasshoppers, crickets and earthworms they could want, so as long as you know nothing is being sprayed with pesticides then go for it
 
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