Fattening up a mandarin.

[oh207]

Can I grow these outdoors? Like in a shed? Or do they need to be in a dark/cool space.
I'm gonna get killed if I try to grow these in the house.

 

[Paul B]

The white worms don't care where you grow them as long is it is below about 75 degrees.
Cooler is better like 70 or 65

 

[oh207]

Thanks Paul. I still have that link you shared. I'm gonna give them a try. And I've got lots of matzo biscuits.

 

[m0nkie]

So do you wash them in salt water before placing it in another cup for target feeding?

 

[Paul B]

No, you don't have to wash them they smell fine the way they are.

 

[m0nkie]

thanks! now I just have to figure out where to keep them.. average 80s inside during Cali summer.

 

[jpitch]

Paul, I love that sense of humor! I think I'm going to start looking up your other posts. I'm also on the island but much further east from you. Going to look up your link to start a white worm culture for supplemental feeding. I don't have a mandarin yet (tank is only 4 1/2 months old) but I'm sure my other fish will like them. Or am I wrong? Yellow tang, kole tang, 2 blue throat triggers, fairy wrasse, 5 blue green chromis, cleaner shrimp...

 

[Paul B]

All your fish should love them, but I am not sure about the fairy wrasse, those are sissies.
All my fish eat them except my pipefish, who are also sissies and only eat pods and live new born brine, but I am trying to wean them onto Tator Tots, Cheerios or Gummy Bears as it is a pain to hatch brine shrimp every day, and if I go on vacation someplace, Oh Boy are they in trouble as my tank sitter will not stand for that.
You don't have to read my other posts as they are basically the same. I just change a couple of words around and re post them.

 

[DiscusHeckel]

Thanks for all the information about white worms. I used to keep discus and fed them with live white worms. I will order some asap.

I used to culture earthworms too (they are equally nutritious) and offered them to my discus after chopping them (not very pleasant ...) I wonder chopped earthworms would also be taken by Mandarins and/or other marine fish. I found that earthworms are easier to keep than white worms especially when the ambient temperature starts to rise.

:beer:

 

[jpitch]

Looks like the website to order the whiteworms has a shipping problem. My order won't be shipped til next week. So Paul, all I do it put these suckers in a tupperware container and feed them instant potatoes everyday? it's 3:30am so i'm too tired to look up if you gave instructions on caring for these things.

 

[Paul B]

Yes, throw them in some dirt and keep it moist. Mix it up occasionally maybe play the Macarana and they will dance to good health

 

[xdestry]

thanks for the info, i am looking to own a mandarin in the future and will try this

 

[bambam918]

Paul do you have drain holes in your plastic shoe box? Just curious about mold and if/how often you change the soil out. I live in AZ so I would have to keep them in a mini refrigerator or wine cooler 24/7; therefore no externetal air contact for evaporation.

 

[Paul B]

I have holes in the top only. In over a year I have only changed the soil once. I did half at a tims so I didn't lose all the worms. I just fed on one side for a month and the worms went over there, then I changed that soil. I did lose some worms but they multiply very fast.

 

[bambam918]

Great thanks for the fast response. Another petty question for you, once you have the soil to the desisted moisture, how often do you have to add water back into the box?

 

[Paul B]

Very few times, I spray it occasionally. Keep it dark or the worms will burrow down

 

[SmoothSmoke]

Great info, much appreciated Paul and all others. I'm trying to find the right worms to start a culture with. Can someone point me to an ebay seller, online retailer or the scientific name of the worm? Thanks

 

[laga77]

Great info, much appreciated Paul and all others. I'm trying to find the right worms to start a culture with. Can someone point me to an ebay seller, online retailer or the scientific name of the worm? Thanks

I ordered a culture of white worms from a site called angelsplus. Super fast shipping and my culture is doing great.

 

[SmoothSmoke]

On the feed site that OP posted there is an option for a grindal worm and a white worm. Are they the same?

I'd like to know as well. Confused as the poster you quoted said they're the same. Not sure?

 

[T.louderback]

I have a newborn 62 gal on my hands and I really want a mandarin but I'm waiting for my fuge (55gal) to start steadily producing pods. Do you think That this could keep a mandarin healthy until my fuge matures? And once my fuge produces enough pods to fuel the mandarin (assuming thats possible) would I have to feed the worms anymore? Also can you keep the cultures in a refrigerator? it's really hot in CA lol