Do grey blackworms mean they are dead?

[brennae]

The darker ones are clearly living but the grey colored ones seem like they are dead maybe? Yes they have a bit of an odor. Just using the confirmed live ones and rinsing well until I hear back.

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[brennae]

I let them warm up a bit and they were gonners. I got out the live ones and rinsed the rest down the sink. Not sure what I did wrong.

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[Gillie]

I'm not sure how I never saw this thread, but yes, they are dead. Black worms need cooler temps like white worms do. When I had the big fishroom going, I had acquired a monster energy drink cooler(coolest fridge you've ever seen lol), I set it to about 55 and drilled a hole small enough for airline tubing and sealed it with silicone. I actually had to feed the buggers when I ordered by the pound because they would last forever.

 

[brennae]

So I don't always have a lot of sense and I kept them in my fridge in a container with not even a half inch of water covering them. I rinsed daily or everyother on occasion. I assumed there would be enough air in the plastic container. It was a cheap sandwich gladware thing and isn't air tight. So are you saying they needed more air than I provided?

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[Gillie]

So I don't always have a lot of sense and I kept them in my fridge in a container with not even a half inch of water covering them. I rinsed daily or everyother on occasion. I assumed there would be enough air in the plastic container. It was a cheap sandwich gladware thing and isn't air tight. So are you saying they needed more air than I provided?

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I kept mine in more water so a little flow was necessary, but if I could find a cheap chiller, I would culture them in a tank again.

 

[brennae]

Ah. See the guy I usually buy them from at the swaps tells me only put a bit of water in because they can drown. I have no idea then what I did wrong to have such a huge die off after it must been a week or week and a half.

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[Gillie]

Ah. See the guy I usually buy them from at the swaps tells me only put a bit of water in because they can drown. I have no idea then what I did wrong to have such a huge die off after it must been a week or week and a half.

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I've never had an issue with drowning, but the small amount of water thing may go back to when another worm was popular. I can't remember what they are called but they needed atmospheric air or they would die.

 

[brennae]

Yeah that's what this guy always tells me! He specifically said thay air was as important as water. So I spent $18 on organic blackworms and tossed over half. He used to have a biz partner and one of them is a member here but rarely posts.

Edit - come to think of it the lfs told me the same thing about only using a little water too. Of course they sell two ounce cups for $4 so in use that in one to two days.

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[Gillie]

http://aquariumtidings.com/how-to-culture-blackworms-black-worms/