Blood Worms....

[Foisair]

So I understand that when it comes to blood worms, freeze dried are okay, frozen is better and live is the best. How do I go about getting or growing live blood worms?

I only have two betta but I read that the corys I want enjoy live blood worms as well. Thoughts?

[Bombalurina]

Live blood worms are basically just mosquito larvae. Bettas will enjoy adult moquitos too.

To encourage the mozzies to lay, leave a bucket of water outside and let it stagnate. The mozzies will swarm to it and lay their eggs. When you see little wriggly things in the water, you have your betta food. I would suggest feeding with tweezers. :)

[vilmarisv]

Freeze dried bloodworms are a no-no.
They can cause constipation and swim bladder.
Frozen are good but as you know, the live ones are best.
Bombalurina gave you good advice on how to grow them :)

[Foisair]

Thanks guys. I'll put a bucket or something out on my patio.

Any thoughts on cores and blood worms/mosquito larvae?

[Bombalurina]

The cories will enjoy them too. It's just harder trying to feed them to cories. I'd suggest killing the larvae/mosquito first and then putting them on the substrate - my cories tend not to chase live insects. Freshly killed is still good. :) However, they do have a tendency to float, so that could be an issue.

[dramaqueen]

Freeze dried are fine as long as they are rehydrated before feeding to your Betta. They are only to be used as a once or twice a week treat.

[sparkyjoe]

I was at the lsf the other day when they were feeding live worms (blood or black) to some of the fish. One of the tanks they fed had Habrosus Cories in it. The cutest thing was watching two little tiny dwarf cories go after the same worm, one on each end ala Lady and the Tramp. So cute!!

I'm hopefully getting a cheap 12 gallon tank from CraigsList and am thinking of using a sand substrate, with a betta, a tiny herd of Habrosus Cories, and Red Cherry Shrimp.

[samual989]

Black worms live in substrate and that is what the corys enjoy... I haven't tried the mosquito with cories due to un-eaten ones growinin up... And if other fish r in tank they will just snag em away! I just kept species only tanks when I kept my schools of cories.

[Foisair]

Thanks for the replies. That helps a lot.