How to Clean Blackworms

Blackworms are small aquatic worms used for feeding aquarium fish. They are eaten with relish by a wide variety of tank inhabitants, and can even live for a time in tank substrate. Most aquarium keepers feed blackworms by squirting them directly into the tank, but you can also use a delayed release blackworm feeder that allows the blackworms to wriggle out and be consumed. Blackworm colonies fare best in the refrigerator, where they can be kept alive for months.

Things You'll Need

  • Small culture container
  • Purified water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Obtain your blackworms from a water source free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals. You can also buy them online or at pet stores that sell live fish foods.

    • 2

      Place the blackworms in a short container.

    • 3

      Mix distilled or reverse osmosis treated water with the blackworm culture. Make sure to add enough water so that it stirs up the water in the container, but not so much that it makes the water overflow and sweeps the blackworms out.

    • 4

      Wait for a minute until the blackworms have settled to the bottom of the container, then pour off the dirty water. Repeat the process until the water you are pouring out is clear.

    • 5

      Repeat the rinsing process again the next day. It may take up to a week for the blackworms to purge all their gut contents.