{"product_id":"live-blackworms","title":"Live Blackworms | Live Fish Food (available in store only)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLive blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus)\u003c\/strong\u003e are arguably the most effective conditioning food available to the hobby. Commercially cultured, clean, and still actively moving when they reach your tank, they trigger a feeding response in almost anything that will take live food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy feed live blackworms\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAround 60 to 66 percent protein on a dry matter basis, ideal for conditioning breeding stock\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA week of blackworm feeds is well known for inducing spawns in apistogramma, killifish, tetras and angelfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent for fussy or newly imported fish that refuse dry food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSafer than tubifex. Tubifex was historically collected from polluted water, whereas cultured blackworms come from clean, controlled facilities\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThey will burrow into the substrate and live there until eaten, so they do not foul your water the way uneaten dry or frozen food does\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNatural movement encourages hunting behaviour and reduces stress in shy species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWell suited to\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBettas and gouramis\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDiscus and angelfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApistogramma and other dwarf cichlids\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKillifish and rainbowfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCorydoras, loaches and nano fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFry transitioning onto larger foods\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAxolotls\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to store them\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse thoroughly in cool, dechlorinated water on arrival to remove waste and any dead worms.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse a shallow container such as a deli cup or worm dish. Add only enough water to just cover the worms, around one centimetre or less.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep refrigerated. Do not freeze. The cold slows their metabolism and keeps them plump.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse and change the water daily. This is the single biggest factor in how long they last.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo not feed them. They live off their own reserves in the fridge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStored this way, blackworms will typically keep for two to four weeks. For larger volumes, an aerated container of chilled aged water with an air stone works well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to tell if they are healthy\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReddish dark brown colour, not grey or pale\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eActively wriggling and bunched into moving tangled balls\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMildly earthy smell, never sour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscard any pale, motionless or foul smelling worms straight away. One rotten worm can crash a container overnight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to feed\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse before every feed. Offer small portions using tweezers, a pipette, a worm cone or a feeding dish so your fish clear them within a few minutes. Best used as a supplement two to three times per week alongside a quality staple diet rather than as a sole food source.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLive delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePacked fresh on the day of dispatch in insulated packaging. Please open and rinse your worms as soon as they arrive.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"School of Scape","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53907227705658,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/1003\/5770\/files\/5ac846c2-0a56-4996-b2a0-12d0c8053944.png?v=1787636612","url":"https:\/\/schoolofscape.com.au\/products\/live-blackworms","provider":"School Of Scape","version":"1.0","type":"link"}