RE: Glass Worms

[listhub at andante_mn.org]

George,

On 03-Jun-02 George & Melanie Caruso wrote:
> Has anyone ever used glass worms as a food for your killies???  If so
> can you offer any info on puchasing, keeping, etc. ?

I've used them for years for both my Killifish and Dwarf Cichlids.

The only trick is keeping the bacteria down.  Frequent (every other day) water
changes work.  Use very cold tap water with all the clorine/cloramine present
for rinsing and storing.  I've gone as dense as a 2:1 water:glass worm ratio. 
If they stink, flush em.  If they don't stink when you buy them and you change
water as recommended above, you should be able to keep them for about a month
in the refrigerator without them beginning pupation.  If they stink at the
source, don't buy them.  They stay alive quite well in the fish tank so over
feeding is not a problem.  Rinse before feeding with cold tap water.

Do be aware that glass worms are midge larvae.  What we are feeding our fish
is the larva form.  From there they will form a pupa which is easy to spot as
a dark floating mass on the top of the water.  A day or two later they hatch
out into the flying midge form. (Express route to divorce court!) So if you do
over feed in the tank, keep an eye open for that pupal mass and destroy them.

Good luck
John Alegre
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John N. Alegre                   o
Andante Systems               o
eCommerce Consulting       o
Custom Web Development <*{{{{}><
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AKA, BKA, ACA
MKKA (Minnesota Killie Keepers Association)
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Apistogramma Study Group
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E-Mail: listhub at andante_mn.org
Date: 03-Jun-02
Time: 11:06:11
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