californian black worms?

[namasgt]

hello everyone
5 months ago a new fish store opened close to where i live that carried some where between 40 to 60 discus like snakeskins, german pigeons, blue diemonds, marlboros all around 3 inches.
so after visiting the store a few times i noticed that they have the same discus but have grown significantly, after i went there 4 days ago . I saw that all af them have grown close to 6 inches with very biutifful colors.
the keeper told me that he feeds them only black worms nothing els?
so how could it be possible that their discus have grown to such a large size on one diet. whats more mind blowing is that some of them had paired up (about 5 pairs), and had around 35 wigelers in the thank per pair!

[curleyk2.0]

I wish I had a LFS around here like that!!!

[namasgt]

so does the california balck worm provide a complete healty nutrition?
would it make my discus strong and healtier?
i was told that if i feed them black worms, instinc will cick in and they wont touch any othere food?

[namasgt]

and
has anybody tried to raise their own CA black worms?

[Elite Aquaria]

IMO California Black Worms are the best diet that you can give discus...many here may disagree but I have also had a lot of success feeding them...they are great as conditioners for breeders as well as the best food for rapid growth...The only problem is that it cost way to much to feed this food to a large hatchery. Yes they can be breed but I do not...I just buy 1 lb every 2-3 weeks...I have never done it but I have a fish farmer friend who does...secrets that he will not share...

[LizStreithorst]

Are you able to buy them from your neighbor or do you get yours from Calif. I'd love the feed CBWs again but more often than not, they would arrive from Calif in poor condition.

[namasgt]

Hi
well the fish store is only 10 minuts away from me and it seems like they feed california black worms only to their expensive fish.
i dont know if they breed their own or where they get them from. but its like $3.50 for one spoon. i will go today and buy some and ask where they get it from.

[RockHound]

has anybody tried to raise their own CA black worms?

You can get a starter culture from a sponsor here:

http://aquaticfoods.com/worms.html

My grandchildren (young grade school age) raised them for a school science project.

If they can do it, any competent adult should be able to.

They are fairly easy to culture & rear.

http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/faculty/...ocs/LVCULT.htm

http://www.simplydiscus.com/library/...cultures.shtml

You can use shallow clear plastic Sterilite storage bins/trays w/lids.
http://www.sterilite.com/Category.ht...ctCategory=39#
(instead of glass aquariums)
Which are available at Lowes, HomeDepot, Target, etc., for cheap.

Along with consistant WC's, a teeny tiny DIY foam bio-filter in each culture tray helps the water from fouling to quickly.

[namasgt]

thanks alot
this is what i was looking for.
thanks

[RockHound]

IMO California Black Worms are the best diet that you can give discus...many here may disagree but I have also had a lot of success feeding them...they are great as conditioners for breeders as well as the best food for rapid growth...The only problem is that it cost way to much to feed this food to a large hatchery. Yes they can be breed but I do not...I just buy 1 lb every 2-3 weeks...I have never done it but I have a fish farmer friend who does...secrets that he will not share...

"secrets that he will not share"

I would bet they grow out in the fish farmers pond drainage ditches.
They thrive, if they have a feed source, very high in organic waste matter.
Which, is exactly what gets drained from aquaculture ponds.

Matter of fact, they are now being tested to reduce effluant sludge, in waste water treatment plants.

~~~~~~~~
Edit to add:
White worms (Enchytraeus albidus), Grindal worms (Enchytraeus buchholzi) & Red Wigglers (Eisenia Foetida)
are easy to culture in containers of worm bedding, coco coir, humus/compost, etc.
(not peat based, as it is to acidic)

The link below is a good read on the white Worms.
http://members.optushome.com.au/chelmon/Whitewrm.htm

[namasgt]

Hello
i will start to raise these worms in spring break
but why do the sellers say that i have to keep the worms in refrigerator.
do i have to keep them in refrigerator to breed them?

[RockHound]

You can generally raise CBW’s at comfortable room temps.
(most often around 65 to 76F).
A lot depends on what water temps the parent stock were raised in.

A fridge is required for COLD STORAGE, close to 45F.
(they go fairly dormant)

To cold, they DIE, to HOT, they DIE.

Below is another article on rearing CBW’s.

http://www.gelf.com.au/fish/producti...lack_worms.pdf