Bloodworm
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[edit] Description
Blood worm (Chironomidae [Ky-ro-nomi-day] tetans) is the larvae of the midge fly. It is a small (3cm [1.2"]), long, thin, bright red larvae which grows in stagnant pools.
The blood worm has red iron-porphyrin protein in its blood and tissue which gives it its characteristic colour. This larva is very important in the wild aquatic food chain. Therefore, it is one of the primary live foods fed to virtually all aquarium kept freshwater aquatic animals.
[edit] Acceptability
All aquatic animals (fish, frogs, shrimp, snails, etc.) seem to like this food. It is very readily taken.
[edit] Nutrients
- 6-8% protein and iron rich. However, it doesn't have a wide range of amino acids, so do not feed as a primary food supply.
- Give it as a treat once or twice per week.
- Not recommended as a single source of food due to its very low protein levels.
[edit] Typical analysis as published by Ocean Nutrition of their frozen blood worm
[edit] Ingredients
Blood worms, vitamins (ascorbic acid, beta carotene, biotin, hydroxocobalamin [source of vitamin B12], niacin, riboflavin, thiamine HCL), amino acids (methionine [dl-methionine], l-lysine, taurine), and trace elements (calcium chloride, potassium iodide, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, magnesium carbonate, zinc sulfate).
[edit] Guaranteed Analysis
- Crude Protein (min) 8.3%
- Crude Fat (min) 1.2%
- Crude Fiber (max) 3.9%
- Moisture (max) 81.7%
- (Protein as a percentage of dry matter - 45.3%)
[edit] Availability
It's available from the vast majority of aquatic stores or bait shops.
[edit] Live form
- Available as live food in sealed plastic bags from pet and fish shops.
- Some aquarists wash this food with tap water using a fine tea strainer or coffee filter.
- When using in this form, try to filter out as much of the water the blood worm is kept in as you can. This is recommended due to the possibility of the water being diseased.
[edit] Frozen form
- Available in frozen cube format in the freezer section of a pet or fish shop.
- Easy and convenient to use, as it comes in tin foil sheets.
- Do not keep frozen blood worm in the freezer for more than 6 months or it will go bad.
[edit] Dried form
- Available as dried food packaged in small tubs.
- Please note that this form tends to be the least nutritional. Plus as you use it up you'll find it turning to dust as you get near the bottom of the tub.
- This food is only suitable for top feeders as it is nearly impossible for it to sink. So it is not suitable for dwarf african frogs.
- Note: it is hard to find a nutrition analysis of this form of bloodworm. One suspects it's not very high at all.
[edit] Jelly or gel form
- Tetra sells this in a jelly form in small 3g sachets.
- Has extra vitamins added to the gel.
[edit] Special Notes
There have been medical reports that people can develop an allegy to this creature over time (takes 1 - 2 years) just by touching it,breathing in dried blood worm dust or its contaminated water. A bad reaction (itchy or swollen eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, skin swells) to this fish food can build up over several years and you should be aware of this. See link below.
As with giving your animals any live food, there is the risk of adding parasites and dieases to your tank. Frozen, jellied and dried bloodworm is usually irradiated to remove these dangers. But check the packaging.
[edit] Pictures
 Single live bloodworm |
 Golden Molly feeding on thawed frozen bloodworm |
 Paradise fish eating jellied bloodworm |
