If you want your fish to go from "surviving" to "thriving," there is nothing quite like live white worms. They are a high-protein, high-fat powerhouse that can trigger breeding behavior in even the most stubborn fish.
But here’s the secret: Culturing them is as much of an art as it is a science. This week in the fish room, I’ve been running an experiment to expand my colonies, and the results have been surprising!
The Great Container Debate: Plastic vs. Styrofoam
I’ve been moving some of my established "mother cultures" into new bins to kickstart a larger supply. I tried a specialized styrofoam bin, thinking the insulation would be perfect for keeping the worms at that "sweet spot" temperature they love.
The Reality? My trusty Rubbermaid containers are currently winning!
The worms in the plastic bins are active and eating, while the styrofoam culture is taking a bit longer to "wake up." It’s a great reminder that even with all the gear in the world, the animals will always tell you what they prefer. I’m currently troubleshooting with a spray bottle to dial in the moisture levels—these worms breathe through their skin, so the "wrung-out sponge" texture of the soil is everything.
Dealing with "Uninvited Guests"
Every live culture specialist deal with pests. Even with my "coffee filter trick" to keep the gnats at bay, the mites have tried to make a comeback! To get rid of the gnats which is mostly in the warmer months get some Mosquito bits to spray a light mist to get rid of them.
Mites don't necessarily hurt the worms, but they are "roommates" that eat the worms' food. I’m currently using a few tricks to keep their numbers down so the white worms can dominate the bin. It’s all about maintaining that delicate balance of moisture, food, and air.
I’ve had a few people ask if I have white worm starter kits ready for local pickup. The answer is: YES!
[Click here to contact me about grabbing a starter culture] or check out our current live food availability!