White Worms and Grindal Worms

[sablebeauty]

Hey guys -- any good ideas on culturing these? I've had them in the past but could never get tons of them cultured.

and with white worms they are temp sensitive. -- is the fridge okay with them?

Also is there any good place to find them local?

[OOwl]

Welcome to the forum, Sable. I recently ordered a culture of white worms from a person on another list. They're kept in the 'fridge, fed yogurt and fish food, and they're growing really well. When the culture gets going, I'd be happy to share some with you. The medium she said to grow them on is coconut fiber (available at Petsmart in the reptitle section). You dampen that, put it in square tuperware containers, place the worms on top, over with a small piece of glass or Plexiglas and feed every few days with yogurt, fish food, veggies, and even damp bread. I've only had mine from her a week and they've already doubled in volume. The white worms I have are related to earth worms but they have to be kept under 50 degrees. These seem to be fine in my fridge. I'll PM you when I have enough to share.

[sablebeauty]

Awesome, thank you for such a quick reply! Please let me know when you can share some because I'd like to get a culture started :) Since I have picky wilds that only like to eat live foods. LOL!

[sablebeauty]

Hey Oowl, how long do you think it'll take for them to multiply so we can share? :rolleyes: Just roughly estimating :)

[OOwl]

They're doing really well but reproducing slower than I thought. My 'fridge may be colder than hers was perhaps. I fed a few to my baby angelfish and they LOVED them so I'm excited about that sustainable food source (instead of the California blackworms all my fish have become addicted to!). I would think by next weekend I could split the culture and share. They're eating the food so I know they're awake and working. I might move them to a warmer part of the fridge to see if it goes faster. Did you get some coconut fiber or do you need some? I could make you a small container of them that you could move to a larger one as they grow if that would help.

[sablebeauty]

I'm sure I have a brick somewhere *looks around* I just have to find it. Been a while since I've used coconut fiber for anything. Can I mix up the coconut fiber with soil?

Yeah and I'm not too much of a fan of blackworms -- too much upkeep, LOL!


--- would you be willing to ship them? Do you think they'd make the trip?

[OOwl]

The problem with mixing the soil with the fiber is the rinsing them before adding to the tank. I have some coconut fiber so I'll put some in your container. It will last several months before it needs refreshed. I'm off next Friday and can meet you somewhere so you don't have to drive to North Fort Worth. Just let me know a good time.

[sablebeauty]

This Friday coming up (the 29th)?

--- We can meet at the Petco in Arlington near the Parks Mall if you want, I'm off Friday too.

[ElijahTurtle]

Cool info! I might have to find myself a mini fridge & grow some of these guys in the garage. Wife would kill me if I even attempted to keep them in the fridge now.

[OOwl]

Amon, you want some of my culture too? I SWEAR they can't escape from their container in the fridge. I have them in my main fridge and no one in my family has a problem with it. I just marked them well (if my mom sees those though, I know she's going to make me feel about 8 years old again and in MAJOR trouble!). Let me know if you want some. I go to your PetSmart and bookstore about twice a week so I could drop them by. They need to stay under 50 degrees though. Just let me know. . .

[sablebeauty]

Yeah I'll keep them in the fridge, lol -- bottom drawer where the veggies are supposed to be ;)

Well I can meet you at the petsmart in arlington, no biggie. whatevers easiest for you. lol