Bloodworms are the larvae of dipterans of the Chironomid order that live in stagnant waters. These red "worms" are one of the most valuable food for aquarium fish.
Instructions
Step 1
Bloodworms are excellent for feeding all types of adult aquarium fish, as well as growing fry. You can give it both live, dry and frozen.
Step 2
The easiest way to get bloodworms is to buy one at a pet store. If there is a lake or pond near your house, you can try to get bloodworms yourself. These larvae live in the upper layer of bottom mud and silt, so to catch them, take a bucket with a rope, throw it a couple of meters from the shore and drag along the bottom, pull up to you. After that, dump the sludge onto a fine sieve and start filtering. Soon the bloodworm should rise to the surface, from where it must be collected with a net.
Step 3
In order to get bloodworms in winter, you need to drill a hole in the ice, and then lower a pole 2-5 meters long with a scoop into it.
Step 4
Keep fresh bloodworms in the refrigerator. Moisten a canvas cloth with water, place on a saucer, spread the bloodworms in an even layer on the cloth and cover with another damp cloth on top. Keep the bloodworm always moist. It can be stored in this state for 2-3 weeks.
Step 5
Bloodworms can be frozen in the refrigerator. Before feeding, you need to get the right portion of food, let it thaw (you can just douse it with hot water), and then give it to the fish.
Step 6
Fresh bloodworms can be dried in the sun or in a conventional gas oven. It is necessary to store dried bloodworms in a hermetically sealed jar.
Step 7
For feeding live bloodworms, it is best to purchase a special feeder for live food. This is necessary so that the larvae seep through the holes gradually, and the fish have time to pick them up at the surface of the water, since otherwise the bloodworm will sink to the bottom and bury itself in the ground.
Step 8
Aquarists need to remember that although bloodworms are an excellent nutritious food, they cannot be fed to fish for life. Diversify your pets' diet with other plant and animal foods that you can also purchase at the pet store.
