Can I throw worms into my tank?

fishaman · 05/17/2009, 07:42 PM

I just had a thought. It's raining right now and worms are coming out of the dirt. Can I throw a worm into my tank, which consists of a foxface, 4 clowns, blenny, scooter, diamond, crabs, etc.

Thoughts?

SaltyDr · 05/17/2009, 07:59 PM

I wouldn't. It's not what they normally would eat. Now, if you had a bass or bluegill in the tank... Years back when I had an oscar, I would feed him earthworms. He would devour them. They would try to wiggle out of his mouth like a spaghetti noodle. It was a hoot. That fish could shove 5 or more goldfish in his mouth at the same time. He would also jump clear out of the tank to catch a fish if I held a fish over the water, like at Seaworld.

kraze3 · 05/17/2009, 08:59 PM

They would probably eat them but Im sure they lack the nutrition and vitamins that store bought fish food would have. Not worth the hassle of getting and cutting them up IMO.

alextheromanian · 05/17/2009, 10:33 PM

ehhh ive heard of people feeding their fish blood worms but actual earth worms...youd have to dice up...and idk if its even good for them i mean fresh water fish love them but two things can happen.

well 3

a) your fish eat and love it
b) your fish dont eat and then you have to retrieve it
c) your fish can eat it ...become zombies break trough the glass and come after your brains

considering option C ...i would let the earth worms enjoy the wet sidewalk

jmadison · 05/17/2009, 10:41 PM

I feed with live black worms...

jmadison · 05/17/2009, 10:48 PM

and they love 'em.

Toddrtrex · 05/18/2009, 12:16 AM

I personally wouldn't feed earthworms. Remembering back from my high school biology class, they were mostly dirt. Who knows what was in that dirt, pesticides, and/or fertilizer.

Juruense · 05/18/2009, 06:17 AM

I would never consider putting earthworms in my salt water tank.

Greysoul · 05/18/2009, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by alextheromanian

a) your fish eat and love it
b) your fish dont eat and then you have to retrieve it
c) your fish can eat it ...become zombies break trough the glass and come after your brains

considering option C ...i would let the earth worms enjoy the wet sidewalk

You forgot Option D: Upon hitting salt water the Earthworm undergoes rapid and dramatic physiological mutation, growing to be 24" long and about 2" in diameter. It build a small Lazy-boy recliner in one corner of the tank, dons glasses and a cane, then proceeds to yell at your fish for swimming in his home, and how would you like it if you had fish swimming around while YOU were trying to sleep. 2 weeks later the Worm further mutates into a puppy with proto-gills and eats all your fish before climbing out of the tank and devouring your brain.

And then it totally starts hitting on your girlfriend, but when she turns down the wormpuppy it decides to date your mom instead.

Clearly, I think the risks far out weigh the possible dietary variety. And your fish aren't Anthony Bourdain, they will be happy with the same food day in and day out.

Aquarist007 · 05/18/2009, 09:39 AM

earthworms as fresh water fish do not contain the necessary vitamins and minerals that marine fish and black worms do--which is mainly in the guts/fish oils of those respective creatures.
It is a very good idea to feed whole fish/live fish and critters to your tank for that reason.
Black worms and brine shrimp you can raise yourself and you can purchase silverside minnows(which are marine) if not close enough to catch them yourself

WaterKeeper · 05/18/2009, 09:58 AM

My biggest caution would be that earthworms will contain soil in their guts with things like lawn fertilizer or pesticide residues. I imagine the worms themselves would provide some nutrition but the risk of adding a contaminant outweighs the benefit.

Aquarist007 · 05/18/2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WaterKeeper
My biggest caution would be that earthworms will contain soil in their guts with things like lawn fertilizer or pesticide residues. I imagine the worms themselves would provide some nutrition but the risk of adding a contaminant outweighs the benefit.

not according to our friend PaulB

Michael · 05/18/2009, 02:14 PM

well its not natural food is it? so i wouldnt feed my fish with earth worms

WaterKeeper · 05/18/2009, 02:16 PM

I'm pretty sure they would have nutrition but only if they were farm raised or you were sure they had not burrowed though soil that has been treated with a grub killer or other chemical. I'm not into worm farms myself.

Larah · 05/18/2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Toddrtrex
I personally wouldn't feed earthworms. Remembering back from my high school biology class, they were mostly dirt. Who knows what was in that dirt, pesticides, and/or fertilizer.

Looks like you nailed it Todd!

camlov2 · 05/18/2009, 03:18 PM

When I was younger I had a bluegill in a 20 gallon. I would feed it earthworms. I would hold one end and it would grab the other. You could lift the fish out of the water by the worm.

WaterKeeper · 05/18/2009, 03:47 PM

I'm not too sure how many earthworms wash out to the reef, however.

RiOnRoxXx · 05/18/2009, 05:11 PM

California Black Worms. Recommended by Paul B. I'm going to try this practice pretty soon. He brought up this topic during a local club meeting here at west.

Aquarist007 · 05/18/2009, 05:18 PM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by camlov2
When I was younger I had a bluegill in a 20 gallon. I would feed it earthworms. I would hold one end and it would grab the other. You could lift the fish out of the water by the worm. [/QUOTe

the grandkids caught 25 of them today with earth worms--and I caught a 20 inch northern pike---but they are fresh water fish camlov

blazing · 05/18/2009, 05:58 PM

So is it safe to feed black worms? I have 2 picasso clowns and I want to feed them black worms but don't know if I should. I was feeding my freshwater convict frys black worms and notice they were growning faster.

05/17/2009, 07:42 PM	#1
fishaman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 163	Can I throw worms into my tank? I just had a thought. It's raining right now and worms are coming out of the dirt. Can I throw a worm into my tank, which consists of a foxface, 4 clowns, blenny, scooter, diamond, crabs, etc. Thoughts? __________________ (1) Foxface (2) Skunk Clowns (4) Osc Clowns (Nemo) (1) lawnmower blenny (1) Orange Goby (1) bullet goby (1) yellow tang (1) hippo tang (1) firefish (2) purple firefish (1) blue damsel (1) fireshrimp (4) peppermint shrimp (2) emerald crabs (1) engineer goby A few (10) pieces of corals (all frags) A host of snails and blue leg crabs If I had it my way, I would spend half my day fishing and the other half watching my fish! Fishaman Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon Saltwater

05/17/2009, 10:33 PM	#4
alextheromanian Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Binghamton NY Posts: 1,007	ehhh ive heard of people feeding their fish blood worms but actual earth worms...youd have to dice up...and idk if its even good for them i mean fresh water fish love them but two things can happen. well 3 a) your fish eat and love it b) your fish dont eat and then you have to retrieve it c) your fish can eat it ...become zombies break trough the glass and come after your brains considering option C ...i would let the earth worms enjoy the wet sidewalk __________________ i just cant think of any phylosophical, deep, critical thinking quotes right now. Current Tank Info: 29g Reef, 75g FOWLR

05/17/2009, 10:41 PM	#5
jmadison rebmeM deretsigeR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PHX, AZ Posts: 1,426	I feed with live black worms... __________________ -Keyser Söze- By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. -Confucius Current Tank Info: Construction Zone

05/17/2009, 10:48 PM	#6
jmadison rebmeM deretsigeR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PHX, AZ Posts: 1,426	and they love 'em. __________________ -Keyser Söze- By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. -Confucius Current Tank Info: Construction Zone

05/18/2009, 12:16 AM	#7
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I personally wouldn't feed earthworms. Remembering back from my high school biology class, they were mostly dirt. Who knows what was in that dirt, pesticides, and/or fertilizer. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

05/17/2009, 07:59 PM	#2
SaltyDr Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southwest Florida Posts: 1,191	I wouldn't. It's not what they normally would eat. Now, if you had a bass or bluegill in the tank... Years back when I had an oscar, I would feed him earthworms. He would devour them. They would try to wiggle out of his mouth like a spaghetti noodle. It was a hoot. That fish could shove 5 or more goldfish in his mouth at the same time. He would also jump clear out of the tank to catch a fish if I held a fish over the water, like at Seaworld.

05/17/2009, 08:59 PM	#3
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	They would probably eat them but Im sure they lack the nutrition and vitamins that store bought fish food would have. Not worth the hassle of getting and cutting them up IMO.

05/18/2009, 06:17 AM	#8
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	I would never consider putting earthworms in my salt water tank.

05/18/2009, 09:39 AM	#10
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	earthworms as fresh water fish do not contain the necessary vitamins and minerals that marine fish and black worms do--which is mainly in the guts/fish oils of those respective creatures. It is a very good idea to feed whole fish/live fish and critters to your tank for that reason. Black worms and brine shrimp you can raise yourself and you can purchase silverside minnows(which are marine) if not close enough to catch them yourself __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

05/18/2009, 09:58 AM	#11
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	My biggest caution would be that earthworms will contain soil in their guts with things like lawn fertilizer or pesticide residues. I imagine the worms themselves would provide some nutrition but the risk of adding a contaminant outweighs the benefit. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/18/2009, 02:14 PM	#13
Michael NTTH Rookie Help Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gloucester, England,UK Posts: 7,808 Blog Entries: 6	well its not natural food is it? so i wouldnt feed my fish with earth worms __________________ Don't be afraid to ask questions, we in the new to the hobby are here to help you [For My Tank Spec,Photo Album,Articles and website, click on my name] MY Very Kindest and Warmest Regards , MIKE Current Tank Info: I have a 92 gal Corner Tank, and way too many pieces of equipment to list really, (proud member of the reef central corner club)

05/18/2009, 02:16 PM	#14
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I'm pretty sure they would have nutrition but only if they were farm raised or you were sure they had not burrowed though soil that has been treated with a grub killer or other chemical. I'm not into worm farms myself. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/18/2009, 03:18 PM	#16
camlov2 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 551	When I was younger I had a bluegill in a 20 gallon. I would feed it earthworms. I would hold one end and it would grab the other. You could lift the fish out of the water by the worm. __________________ "can I pet him?" Brian Current Tank Info: none

05/18/2009, 03:47 PM	#17
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	I'm not too sure how many earthworms wash out to the reef, however. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29

05/18/2009, 05:11 PM	#18
RiOnRoxXx Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Manteca, CA. Posts: 2,370	California Black Worms. Recommended by Paul B. I'm going to try this practice pretty soon. He brought up this topic during a local club meeting here at west.

05/18/2009, 05:18 PM	#19
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	[QUOTE]Originally posted by camlov2 When I was younger I had a bluegill in a 20 gallon. I would feed it earthworms. I would hold one end and it would grab the other. You could lift the fish out of the water by the worm. [/QUOTe the grandkids caught 25 of them today with earth worms--and I caught a 20 inch northern pike---but they are fresh water fish camlov __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

05/18/2009, 05:58 PM	#20
blazing Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: yay area Posts: 625	So is it safe to feed black worms? I have 2 picasso clowns and I want to feed them black worms but don't know if I should. I was feeding my freshwater convict frys black worms and notice they were growning faster.