(12-worm starter culture)
Live Blackworm: premium food for adult fish
What are Blackworm?
Blackworm (Lumbriculus variegatus) are slender, segmented aquatic worms resembling tubifex, but darker, thicker, and much more mobile. Measuring 2 to 5 cm, they burrow their heads into the substrate while waving their tails in the water. This captivating (and hypnotic) display stimulates fish to hunt, but is also fascinating to observe in a natural aquarium without fish. Raised in clean water, without muddy sediment or parasites, they arrive ready to use.
Why choose Blackworm?
-
👍 Very rich in protein, iron, and fatty acids: boost growth, reproduction, and coloration.
- 💧 True aquatic worms: as 100% aquatic worms, they live in the tank as long as they are not preyed upon. In aquariums without fish, they form beautiful, large colonies, clustering into moving masses reminiscent of sea anemones.
- ✨ Live worms for sensitive or demanding fish; a premium alternative to live tubifex.
- 🔋 Low-tech compatible: these detritivores contribute to the long cycle of the natural aquatic ecosystem and the biodiversity of ecosystems such as ponds or outdoor container ponds.
- 🔄 Fascinating reproduction: if you decide to raise them separately from fish, you'll discover their unique reproduction: the worms split to form two viable individuals! Sexual reproduction is theoretically possible, but has never been observed.
Who are Blackworm for?
-
Carnivorous and omnivorous fish: bettas, cichlids, corydoras, goldfish, koi...
-
Hobbyists looking for premium live food to stimulate breeding.
-
Low-tech aquarium enthusiasts looking to enrich the natural food chain or biodiversity of their aquariums.
-
Pond owners looking to introduce discreet bottom-dwelling detritivores to manage organic matter settling on the bottom, for example alongside water lice.
-
Educational projects focused on observing this detritivore worm, which reproduces by splitting.
Usage tips
-
Feed without rinsing: Blackworm are not very messy worms.
-
Storage: up to one week in the refrigerator with regular water changes.
-
To raise them or keep them in a natural aquarium, they need a substrate. Sand is ideal because they like to partially bury themselves in it.
-
To feed them: If you feed your snails pieces of cooked vegetables, Blackworm will often feast on them. Otherwise, let them find their food in the organic waste at the bottom.
-
Comparison: Also try our live tubifex to offer your fish both species.
FAQ - Blackworm in the aquarium
How are they different from tubifex?
Blackworm are darker, more active and a little thicker. They have the rare ability to reproduce by dividing their bodies.
Can they live in the aquarium?
Yes, if there are no fish to eat them, you can raise and observe them for many years and watch their population grow.
Should I rinse them before use?
No need: Blackworm are particularly clean worms.
Are they suitable for all fish?
Yes, except with strict herbivores. Ideal for fish that are difficult to feed.
Are they compatible with low-tech setups?
Absolutely: they are detritivores that play an important role in the decomposition of organic waste, just like ramshorn snails, malaysian Trumpet Snail or water lice.
Additional information
-
Scientific name: Lumbriculus variegatus
-
Size: 2 - 4 cm
-
Packaging: batch of 12 live individuals (approximate weight: 17 g)
-
Guarantee: parasite-free, preservative-free, no contaminated substrate
-
Recommendation: Although they occur naturally in ecosystems, please never release these organisms into the wild.
