Difference Between a Night Crawler & a Blood Worm

Nightcrawlers and bloodworms are similar in that they are both worms, but nightcrawlers are found on land and bloodworms are found in water. Both are very effective for use in fishing, with bloodworms having the slight edge due to their bright red coloring. Nightcrawlers are also known as earthworms, and play an integral role in the purification of topsoil. Bloodworms do not contribute to the ecosystem in as productive a manner.

  1. Characteristics of Bloodworms

    • Bloodworms are typically found in bodies of water. They are the larvae of midge flies. Due to high levels of iron-porphyrin protein in a bloodworm's body, it radiates a bright red hue. Bloodworms can be carnivorous and prefer live prey,such as sandworms. They have teeth capable of chewing other small organisms. Bloodworms can be found as deep as a quarter of a mile in bodies of water.

    Bloodworms as Food

    • Most aquatic animals readily accept bloodworms as food. They are colorful, rich in iron and tasty to other species. They are used often in fishing, especially for bass and shrimp. Bloodworms are not recommended as a steady diet for your pets, as they do not provide much nutrition besides iron. They should be given as treats, rather than substantial meals.

    Characteristics of Nightcrawlers

    • Nightcrawlers are long compared to most other types of worms, measuring an average of 8 to 10 inches in length. They do not have teeth, and they prefer to eat decomposing elements within soil, such as tiny bits of leaves or rotting wood. Their bodies complete a complex digestion process, and they leave behind waste knowin as casings. Nightcrawlers prefer to burrow deep into soil, but can often be found on paved surfaces after rainfall because their tunnels become flooded, and they cannot survive for very long submersed in water.

    Nightcrawlers and the Ecosystem

    • Nightcrawlers play an elemental roll in the ecosystem, as their burrowing naturally aerates soil, and their casings fertilize the soil after they have passed through. They are constantly purifying soil by eating the decaying elements and re-fertilizing the soil. Nightcrawlers are also used in fishing and the feeding of other aquatic animals, and are generally considered to be more nutritious than their distant, water-dwelling relatives.