Small red worms in rainwater barrel

C

CBWMN

AC Members
Oct 11, 2007
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El Paso, TX
I’ve been using mosquito larva for several years now. I have two 55 G plastic rainwater drums. I just use a fishnet and swirl it around just under the surface of the water.
I’m also catching some small red worms. The look just like garden red wigglers but they are onle 7/16 to ½ inch long. Here is a pic of two nest to a penny.

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I’m just curious as to what these worms are. The fish love them better than mosquitos.

Sorry it’s out of focus, I had to put the camera really close to the worms.
Thank you
CBWMN
Charles Bowman

IMG_0112.JPG
 
In what area do you live in? I have no idea what it is, but getting a location to see what insects are native to you may help ID the larvae..:)
 
Actually, they very likely are bloodworms (chironomid midge larvae). Some lumbriculid worms are also bright red. Do they stretch and contract like earthworms, or just flail about?
 
Noto,
Think U'R right. I googled and found this:

[SIZE=+3]Chironomid Larva
[/SIZE][SIZE=+3]Scientific Name: [SIZE=+1]Chironomus sp.
[/SIZE][/SIZE]Group: Insecta [SIZE=+1]
[/SIZE]Size:15mm

These are sometimes called 'bloodworms' because of their bright red colour, but they are not worms at all. They are midge larvae. The larvae eat the dead organic material at the bottom of the pond. They can tolerate very low oxygen levels and are often found in very large numbers in the sludge at the bottom of stagnant ponds.

Food chain
Position in food chain:
Primary consumers (herbivore)
They eat:
dead plant and animal material (detritus)
They are eaten by:
water mites and other carnivores
 
That's them! If you notice any tiny, often C-shaped tubular ridges of dirt on the bottom and sides of your barrel, those are the bloodworms' little retreats.
 
I may read up and find out how to propogate them.
They are great live food. About as good as daphnia.
Thanks again
Charles
 
Fishy_Fun said:
Yes my fish go crazy for frozen so i only imagine what they would do for live food
Click to expand...
same they probably would accidently eat my hand...
 
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