Re: [Killietalk] Shipping Blackworms

[Barry Cooper <bjc3 at centurytel_net>]

I don't think it would be practical to ship them 2-3 worms to the bag 
and, although I think shipping them internationally is likely to fail, I 
think that putting a couple of teaspoonfuls in a breather bag, wet but 
with essentiall no free water, is likely to be as good as anything. The 
worms would be covered with a film of water and would be moving so that 
they would keep that clump of worms oxygenated.

I have shipped grindal worms this way, wet, in a clump, in a breather 
bag, taking two days for deliver, without ice, as I recall. The 
recipient reported that they arrived 100% alive.

Barry

Barry J. Cooper
Sweet Home, OR 97386



Wright Huntley wrote:

> I agree with Barry, but would add the following:
>
> They must be shipped wet but not in water as such, so that makes 
> breather bags a bit suspect. When crowded, they need to expose much of 
> their tail to atmosphere to get enough oxygen. It would be much worse 
> problem than shipping Cories or Anabantoids who also want to breathe 
> air directly, I suspect. I would guess each breather bag should not 
> contain more than 2 or 3 worms if days of survival are required.
>
> [I learned this trying to get cheap bulk worms from Modesto ($7/lb) to 
> the BAKA meetings. Any water tended to suffocate them in an hour or two.]
>
> My supplier cannot get them here in one day, so he puts them in a bag 
> wet, with no extra water, and a separated bag of solid ice, inside a 
> styro. They take at least two days and it seems to work. I cannot 
> imagine doing it that fast internationally. He will not guarantee live 
> delivery when overnight is not available.
>
> One alternative might be to get someone to hand carry them in their 
> luggage or carry-on bags.
>
> Wright

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