Raising Leeches in an Aquarium

We may shudder and feel repulsed at the very mention of a leech, particularly due to its blood-sucking nature. However, modern medicine uses this invertebrate to facilitate skin grafts and reattach missing digits. They also use leeches towards treatment of arthritis, blood-clotting ailments, varicose veins and several other problems associated with the circulatory system. Some people also use leeches as baits for fishing and others raise leeches in aquariums as a hobby.



You can raise leeches in aquariums by procuring them either from their natural habitat with the help of a dip net or forceps, or by purchasing them from a science supply shop.

  1. Natural Habitat

    • Leeches are nocturnal annelids you can easily find in ponds, lakes and marshes. The worm is abundant particularly during summer and spring. Owing to their nocturnal behavior, their favorite hiding spots in the wild are dark areas under rocks and logs. You can commonly find leeches as part of debris at the bottom of lakes.

    Housing Leeches

    • Place the leeches in an aquarium. Fill two-thirds of the aquarium with water to prevent the worms from crawling out of the tank. Cover the aquarium with a screened lid. Secure the lid carefully to prevent escape. Alternatively, use a piece of fabric and secure it with an elastic band. A 10-gallon aquarium can house 50 leeches. Place rocks, sand, shells and aquatic plants in the aquarium to provide a natural habitat and also give your leeches hiding places.

    Food Requirements

    • The favorite food of most leeches is small invertebrates, such as snails, worms and larvae of insects. Some even thrive on fish and amphibian eggs. Contrary to the common belief, all leeches are not blood-suckers. Species such as Ribbon and Horse leeches consume mosquito larva and decaying organic matter. However, the blood-sucking species prefer to latch onto host organisms like fish, frogs and, at times, even humans. While maintaining leeches in an aquarium, you will find that their food requirement forms the least demanding aspect. Leeches are small eaters, consuming food once in a few months. Offer snails on a weekly basis to the small non-blood sucking species. To the blood-sucking varieties, give a turtle or frog once in a month or during alternate months. Raw ground meat once in six months also forms good nourishment for aquarium leeches.

    Caring Norms

    • Do not keep leeches in chlorinated water. Substances such as chlorine and copper can be harmful. Instead, use water from the natural site of their procurement, spring water or de-chlorinated tap water for their healthy survival. Do not use distilled water, as its high purity level can adversely affect the metabolism of leeches. Clean the water regularly. Change just 25 to 50 percent of the aquarium's water at a given time every three to six days or when the water appears dirty. Direct or artificial light and abrupt changes in temperature can prove harmful.