Black Worms

[Vanpire]

Does anyone know where to get them in the valley?

 

[zibba]

The Pet Shop out in Mesa is the only place I've found them. Wish other local stores carried them; fish love them and so do LPS.

 

[Mael]

and they are very nutritional for the fish, I also haven't seen them in most stores, too bad Pet Shop is about the furthest store from me =/

 

[Vanpire]

Thanx guys. Looks like I am heading down there.

I wish others carry them also. I wonder why they won't. I think it would be popular, like reefstew.

 

[bambam918]

I have been trying to get Carlos to order them. He is open to it but enough of us ask the more I am sure he is willing to place an order. I would love to get my hands on frozen black worms

 

[reefstew]

The live black worms need a daily water change with water the same temperature as the culture. It is 1 more thing to do each day to keep them alive & they don't sell for much money. They also only live for a few minutes in salt water. If it was going in a fresh water tank they would survive until eaten.

 

[Vanpire]

The live black worms need a daily water change with water the same temperature as the culture. It is 1 more thing to do each day to keep them alive & they don't sell for much money. They also only live for a few minutes in salt water. If it was going in a fresh water tank they would survive until eaten.

It is true that it probably won't make much money, but like loss leaders at supermarkets and other stores, people who go to buy the worms will usually buy something. I think it would be great marketing tool, like some stores that sell salt at very low prices.

 

[saintsnsinners]

I used to culture them and they are a pain. they reproduce very slowly and as rs mentioned, they require frequent water changes.

 

[saintsnsinners]

Blackworms don't freeze well either. Having said all that, fish, inverts and lps love them.

 

[bambam918]

They are vendors which sell them. If we convince Carlos to buy bulk that would be awesome!

 

[reefstew]

They are vendors which sell them. If we convince Carlos to buy bulk that would be awesome!

Why not just buy them at the Pet Shop?

 

[bambam918]

I want to feed on regular basis and 3 bucks for a tblspoon is more than I want to spend. For an ocissional feeding it's a good price however; I want to make it a regular feeding option.

 

[Vanpire]

Why not just buy them at the Pet Shop?

Location. It will save me $3+ in gas but more importantly about 30 mins RT. I would go more often if Carlos carried it.

 

[saintsnsinners]

Blackworms should not be used as a food staple, but rather as a supplement. so you wouldn't be buying a whole lot at once, for most people. if there's enough interest I could start culture back up and supply club reef with them. first time feeders of blackworms are usually amazed at the feeding response, especially with butterflies. some fish are finicky at first, but once they taste them, they will go crazy. they also help to prime mated pairs for breeding.

 

[bambam918]

I disagree. Paul b feeds primarily black worms and has kept his system beautiful for over 30 years. I'll take his experience and success. Where did you read that black worms should be a supplement only? I am open to reading this and adding that info to my knowledge I have read from Paul b threads.

 

[saintsnsinners]

Nope. Paul feeds a mixture of just about everything. he was the one to convince me to NOT feed blackworms as a staple.

 

[bambam918]

I know he feeds a mxture however I am confident he feeds black worms more than a supplement. I'll have to read it again

 

[saintsnsinners]

Yeah it's been a few years, and I guess he could have changed things. but knowing him, he most likely didn't. there was a great thread a few years ago and he mentioned no less than a dozen times to NOT use blackworms as a staple diet.

 

[saintsnsinners]

Paul posted this on 4/18/13.

"I use live blackworms every day along with clams and mysis to feed my fish."

 

[Vanpire]

Paul posted this on 4/18/13.

"I use live blackworms every day along with clams and mysis to feed my fish."

From the quote, while it shouldn't be the only food, it is more than a supplement.

Anyway, this seems like great food. I am wondering if I should buy it by the pounds online and share it with the community during our FRAG or PROP meetings.