Whether you're an avid angler, an aquarium hobbyist, or simply curious about the natural world, bloodworms are fascinating and widely-used creatures that play a vital role in various aquatic ecosystems.
Known for their bright red colour and high protein content, these small, wriggling larvae are a popular choice for feeding fish, both in home aquariums and in natural habitats. But do you know where they come from and if they are good for your fish? In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know about bloodworms, from what they are to whether they’re safe for your aquatic friends.
What are bloodworms?
Bloodworms are the larvae of midge flies and are typically found in freshwater or brackish environments. These little critters are a versatile food source commonly used in aquarium hobbies, fishing, and scientific research. It’s their rich protein content that has made them so popular, as well as their (apparent) tastiness in the eyes of a wide range of fish species. You can buy bloodworms frozen, freeze-dried or live to feed to your aquatics.
What are they used for?
Bloodworms are used as a supplementary diet for freshwater fish. They are an important natural food source for a wide variety of aquatic animals and serve as a good nutritional source for protein, but they’re still considered to be more of a “treat” and would need to be fed alongside a balanced diet.
The different types of bloodworms
There are a few different types of bloodworms you can find when it comes to feeding your aquatics. We’ve included a helpful list of these below, as well as their different benefits.
Frozen bloodworms - are a popular choice due to their quality and convenience. Typically flash-frozen soon after harvesting, they retain most of their natural colour, flavour, and nutrients. Frozen bloodworms are especially useful for feeding finicky or carnivorous fish, as their natural scent and texture can encourage even reluctant eaters to feed. However, frozen bloodworms usually come in blocks and, depending on the size of your tank, you may need to thaw them out before feeding if you have a smaller tank with fewer fish.
Freeze-dried bloodworms - are a lightweight, shelf-stable alternative to live or frozen varieties, making them a popular choice for aquarists who value convenience. They’re a bit easier to use than frozen bloodworms, as you won’t need to thaw them out in certain cases, and you can control the quantity you’re giving to your fish more easily as well.
Live bloodworms - if given the option, your fish would choose live bloodworms all day. Live bloodworms not only retain all of their nutrients but will provide stimulus for your fish as they will enjoy hunting the wiggling creatures down. However, the downside to this is that introducing live bloodworms to a tank can carry a small risk of introducing unwanted pests and diseases.
What are their pros and cons?
To help you make sure that bloodworms are the right choice for you and your aquatics, we’ll need to dive into the pros and cons so you can weigh them for yourself and make an informed decision.
Pros of bloodworms for aquatic feeding
- Highly nutritious - rich in protein, which supports growth, energy, and overall health in fish.
- Easy to portion - bloodworms make it simple to control feeding amounts and reduce waste.
- Good for conditioning fish - because of their high protein content, they support fish in developing colour and prepare them for breeding.
- Provides a natural food source - they provide a natural and unprocessed food source for your fish.
- Comes in a variety of forms - this makes it easy to pick which option will suit you and your fish better for easier feeding.
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Bloodworms are loved by many fish - their scent, colour, and movement (when live) trigger strong feeding responses, even in picky or stressed fish.
Cons of bloodworms for aquatic feeding
- Not a complete diet - bloodworms are high in protein but lack some essential nutrients, so they should be part of a varied diet, not the sole food source.
- Risk of pests/diseases - live bloodworms can introduce pathogens if sourced from unclean water, which can harm a balanced aquarium environment.
- Cost - Live and frozen varieties can be more expensive than flake or pellet foods, especially for large aquariums.
Where can you get them?
You can purchase bloodworms online from just about any fishkeeping store, like here at Aquacadabra, in our fish food collection. We have many great options, such as these Superfish frozen bloodworms and these Interpet Freeze-dried Bloodworms to suit a variety of preferences and needs for you and your aquatics.
Superfish frozen bloodworms - £19.99
Interpet Freeze-dried Bloodworms - £14.15
However, you can also breed them naturally, which will take a bit more work but is a great choice if you can’t source them from other places. If you want to know how you can do this, then you can read more about raising bloodworms below.
How to raise bloodworms
You can raise bloodworms year-round if you maintain the right conditions. However, they are more common in summer months as they need warm temperatures in order to thrive. To raise bloodworms naturally, there are a few things you’ll need to do:
1. Create a habitat
The simplest way is to get a clean white bucket out in the yard (the white will help you to see the bloodworms better) and let it collect rainwater and the dust from the air. These, combined with algae and a few decaying leaves, will create a natural food source for the bloodworms. If you don’t want to wait for rainwater, then you can use dechlorinated water. The water should hold no harmful chemicals that could be dangerous for the worms or your fish.
2. Give it time
You can buy bloodworm eggs for quickness, or you can just be patient and let the midges come to the habitat you’ve made to lay their eggs. It could take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks for them to hatch, so check back regularly.
3. Harvesting
Once they’ve hatched, you can then suck up the bloodworms one by one using a turkey baster. It’s important to be careful during this step, as other creatures such as mosquito larvae, daphnia, and cyclops could also have found their way into this habitat, and you don’t want to introduce anything to your tank that could cause potential harm.
4. Cleaning
Once you’ve gathered your bloodworms, put them into a fine net like a brine shrimp net and run water through them to wash off any dirt. They will then be ready to feed your fish; you can feed them live or freeze them, depending on your preferred feeding method.
What fish can eat bloodworms?
While bloodworms have many benefits, it’s important to ensure you’re feeding them to the right type of fish. Luckily, many popular aquarium fish enjoy bloodworms. The only aquatics that won’t eat bloodworms are the vegetarian kind, like a Silver Dollar Fish.
A few examples of fish that love bloodworms include:
- Betta Fish
- Angelfish
- Discus
- Gouramis
- Tetras
- Rasboras
- Barbs
- Cichlids
- Loaches
- Catfish
- Guppies.
How many bloodworms should I feed my fish?
The number of bloodworms you should feed to your fish depends on the size and number of fish you have in your tank. Bloodworms are more of a supplement and should be fed alongside a balanced diet. We recommend giving your aquatic bloodworms as a treat every few days or once a week, and they should only be given a few bloodworms each at a time to avoid overfeeding.
Introduce your aquatics to delicious and nutritious food with Aquacadabra
Bloodworms are one of the most versatile and effective foods in the aquarium and fishing worlds, offering high nutritional value, strong feeding appeal, and a range of forms to suit different needs. Whether served live, frozen, or freeze-dried, they can help maintain healthy, active fish and encourage natural feeding behaviours.
If you’re looking to dive into the world of bloodworms for your aquatics, then start your journey at Aquacabra with our fish food collection to find nutritional feed that caters to a wide variety of aquatic diets. Or, if you still want more help and guidance with your aquatics diet, then read through our blog on how to buy the right fish food for more support.