Easily propagated in captivity, white worms (Enchytraeus albidus) are some of the best live food for conditioning fish to breed. They are highly nutritious and also make great food for aquatic amphibians such as newts and dwarf clawed frogs. When added to water, they wriggle around which draws in whatever you’re feeding. They are comparable to live blackworms in size, but can be propagated much more easily at home. This is not an aquatic worm, however, and will not last underwater indefinitely, so be sure to remove anything uneaten. You will receive a starter culture in a 16 oz cup.

How to Use: To culture white worms, all that is needed is a starter culture, some organic dirt or coco fiber, a tupperware container with a lid, and the appropriate food. We feed our white worms whole grain bread with plain yogurt spread on top and sprinkled with yeast. You can also use dry cat food, oatmeal, or instant mashed potato, although these tend to mold faster. The tupperware container should be covered with 2-3 inches of organic dirt, which should be moistened with dechlorinated tap water. It should be damp but not too wet. Place the food on top of the dirt and cover the tupperware with a lid. Make sure to poke holes in the top for ventilation. A push pin works well for this. Then, perhaps most importantly, the culture should be placed in a cool, dark place. To harvest the worms, a card protector or similar piece of plastic or glass or canvas should be placed directly on top of the food. Collect any worms that congregate on this surface with fingers or simply dunk into a cup of water. When a culture is at peak production, you can sometimes forgo the plastic altogether and grab clumps of worms with your hands (preferably gloved). Be careful not to grab the dirt or media while collecting. Feed only as much as the fish will consume at once. White worms can survive for several hours to a few days underwater but will eventually drown. As with any other food, remove anything uneaten.

How to Store/Maintain: White worms do best in really cool temperatures and when kept in complete darkness. The ideal temperature is 53-60 degrees fahrenheit. Above 70 degrees, the culture will not thrive or be productive. A wine cooler works well if a cold basement is not an option. To maintain cultures, replace food at least once a week or more as needed. Be sure to monitor humidity and add water periodically as needed to keep soil damp.  The culture takes about two months to peak, at which point you’ll want to start new cultures with fresh dirt and new containers.