Will blood worm survive in my tank?

[Lupin]

BTW, I am terrified of worms I wore a leather glove and used a chop stick to get the worm out of the bag.

It's a good precautionary measure actually. I dunno if you ever suffered allergic reactions from handling bloodworms before but I did. My hands, face, neck and chest kept itching after handling it. Lots of people have had violent reactions to that stuff though so better wear gloves if you don't want to risk it.

 

[Oddball]

It's a good precautionary measure actually. I dunno if you ever suffered allergic reactions from handling bloodworms before but I did. My hands, face, neck and chest kept itching after handling it. Lots of people have had violent reactions to that stuff though so better wear gloves if you don't want to risk it.

For the benefit of those who don't know, this allergic reaction is also common when handling frozen bloodworms. It can be quite severe and painful to those with a hypersensitivity to the worm's proteins. Most frozen worm suppliers include an allergic reaction warning on their packaging. However, not all of them do so.

Washing your hands with hot water and soap will immediately reduce the proteins allergic effects. Following up with a hand sanitizer will also be of benefit.

If you do physically touch bloodworms, DO NOT TOUCH YOUR EYES, NOSE, OR MOUTH until you've followed proper hand washing procedures.

 

[studd muffin]

It's a good precautionary measure actually. I dunno if you ever suffered allergic reactions from handling bloodworms before but I did. My hands, face, neck and chest kept itching after handling it. Lots of people have had violent reactions to that stuff though so better wear gloves if you don't want to risk it.

Ughh! Lupin you got me itchy now...

 

[studd muffin]

It's hard to tell unless magnified. But, those look more like tubifex worms. If so, they are true tubificid segmented worms. These can be found waving in the current as they filter-feed

You are on the money.

Alright I might as well really do another gravel vacuum.

 

[Oddball]

Another FYI, individuals with a high sensitivity to bloodworms have been known to suffer respiratory distress after feeding out freeze-dried bloodworms. Apparently, the proteins still retain some sensitiser qualities after the drying process and can be inhaled as dust raised from shaking a FD worm container during feeding.

If you have furred pets, they can become affected in the same manner as humans.

 

[fishmamma]

The worms cannot multiply. Bloodworms are midge fly larvae. If they survive, they'll metamorphose into flying adult flies.

OMG !
I recently started feeding frozen blood worms, when I thawed them out.. It FREAKED!! me out! Cause their so wormy looking and so deep red!! YUK! and now know all this other gross stuff...

 

[Lupin]

With all the info here about bloodworms in different forms, I really think we gonna have to stick this, Phil.

 

[MonsterMinis]

nom nom nom! .. It's always fun how gross stuff can be still, even frozen and neatly packaged.. STICKY!

 

[studd muffin]

Hey oddball, another thing I forgot to mention was I threw alot of the tubifex worms in my outdoor koi pond. It was a snack for the koi, mosquito fish, blue gills, and catfish. If the uneaten ones survive will they thrive and multiply in my pond? Getting worried now

 

[Oddball]

Yes, they can survive. I don't understand why you're worried though. If the worms thrive, they're an indicator that your system is healthy and they'll provide a steady food source for your fish.
I seed my tanks with scuds (amphipods) to serve the same function. They eat passed over foods, food that gets into places the fish can't, and the fish have a frequent snack of the scuds that venture out into the open.