why do people farm blood worms?...(fish food organism)

Bloodworm Culture

Setting Up the Tank

• Water Layer: Create a 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) clear layer of conditioned water over the substrate.

• Cloudy Water: If the water becomes cloudy, allow it to resettle.

• Animal Manure: Add some animal manure to the water.

• Egg Masses: Gently add egg masses on the surface.

• Aeration: Turn on an air stone for aeration.

• Lighting: Place the tank near a window or turn on lights for 10-12 hours daily.

• Cover: Cover the tank to keep mosquitoes out.

Water Quality Requirements

Optimal Temperature: 72 - 77°F (22 - 25°C)

Humidity: 60 - 80%

pH: 6.0 - 8.0

Dissolved Oxygen: 3 - 4  mg/L

Photoperiod: 8 - 12 hours daily

Tank Size: Small tanks (1-10 gallons or 4-40 liters) are effective for indoor culture.

Temperature Effects

• Biological Processes: Temperature affects many biological processes in bloodworms.

• Stage Duration: Higher temperatures reduce the duration of life stages.

• Death Rate: Increased temperatures can raise death rates to 50-75% at 82°F (28°C).

Oxygen and Aeration

• Continuous Aeration: Use air stones for continuous aeration.

• Low Aeration: Keep aeration low to avoid disturbing substrate and food.

• Oxygen Levels: In low-oxygen environments, bloodworms turn dark red; maximize oxygen to increase developmental rates.

Flow and Habitat

Oviposition Habitat: Chironomidae prefer quieter habitats for laying eggs.

Water Conditions: Bloodworms thrive in slow or still waters due to poor swimming ability.

Lighting Conditions

• Phototaxis: Bloodworms are attracted to light in early stages but avoid it as they develop hemoglobin.

• Negative Reaction: The negative reaction to light disappears during pupation.

• Algae Consumption: A photoperiod of 10-12 hours is beneficial, especially for consuming green algae.

Feeding Habits

• Natural Diet: Bloodworms feed on organic matter, algae, and microorganisms in enriched waters.

• Preferred Foods:

1. Animal manure (cow, poultry, pig, chicken)
2. Yeast
3. Palm oil waste
4. Fish food (e.g., Tetramin)

Feed Requirements

• Daily Diet: Varies from 100% to 600% of their body weight.

• Feeding Rate:

1. 5 g/gal (2.5  g/L ) for dried animal manure
2. 110  g/gal ( 30 g/L) for fresh animal manure

Harvesting

• Harvest Time: Bloodworms can be harvested after 14 days when they reach  0.5 - 1  inch  ( 10 - 25 mm ).
• Pupae Observation: Harvest immediately when the first pupae are observed.
• Net Size: Use the smallest mesh-size fish net (around 1x 1 mm ).
• Cleaning: Rinse harvested bloodworms under tap water to remove waste.

Storage

• Refrigeration: Store live bloodworms in a damp rag at the bottom of the refrigerator.
• Container Storage: Place slightly damp bloodworms in a tightly covered container, in a thin layer (no more than  0.4  or  1 cm ).
• Storage Duration: These methods allow storage for at least 2-3 weeks.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Efficient indoor culture, easy feeding, and harvesting.
• Cons: Requires careful monitoring of water quality and environmental conditions.

Bloodworms

Overview

• Bloodworms are the aquatic larvae of non-biting midges from the family Chironomidae.
• This family has over 10,000 species found in diverse environments, from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
• They are the most abundant group of aquatic insects in freshwater ecosystems.

Common Species

• Chironomus reparius
• Chironomus decorus
• Chironomus plumosus
• Chironomus thummi

Biology

Size

• Bloodworms typically range from  0.2  to 1  inch ( 5 –  25 mm) in length.

Movement

They move in a characteristic twitch resembling the letter "S".

Diet

Primarily feed on green algae and detritus.

Color

Bloodworms are red due to the presence of hemoglobin ( Hb ), which helps them survive in low-oxygen environments.

Body Structure

• Body is segmented into thirteen parts:
• Thoracic region: First three segments.
• Abdominal region: Next ten segments.
• The body is smooth with a thin, transparent cuticle.
• Thoracic segments have false legs with chitinous hooks for movement and tube construction.

Life Cycle of Chironomidae

The life cycle consists of four stages, typically completed in 3 to  6  weeks.

Stages

Egg Stage

• Eggs are in a gelatin-like cocoon, arranged in a spiral mass.

• Hatch in  48  to  72  hours at  75 degree F (24  degree C ).

Larval Instars (Bloodworms)

• First Instar: Colorless, free-swimming, lasts 2 to 4 days.

• Second Instar: Constructs U-shaped tubes, lasts 5 to 6 days.

• Third and Fourth Instars: Increase in size and darken, lasts 6 to 8 days.

Pupal Stage

• Occurs when bloodworms are large enough to transform into adults, lasting only a few minutes.

Adult Stage (Midge)

• Newly emerged midges can fly but do not feed as adults due to non-functional mouthparts.

Bloodworms as Live Food

• Important in the aquatic food chain, serving as food for fish, crabs, and other aquatic animals.

Nutritional benefits:

• High in protein, vitamins, and essential amino acids.

Advantages of Live Feed

1. High digestibility, especially of proteins.
2. High water content (85  –  95%).
3. Soft and elastic structure for better ingestion.
4. Less contamination compared to commercial foods.

Bloodworm Culture Requirements

Starter Culture

• Egg masses (cocoons) of bloodworms.

Culture Vessel.

• Small tank or plastic container.

Substrate

• Coconut fiber.

Oxygen

• Air stone for aeration.

Harvesting

• Use a fish net.

Maintenance

• Dechlorinated water.

Optional Tools

• Jar, cotton swabs, turkey baster, or pipette.

Food

• Animal manure (horse, chicken, fish waste).

Procedure for Bloodworm Culture

• Add substrate (1 inch or 2.5 cm deep) into the tank.
• Mix with conditioned water and let it settle for 1 hour.
• Ensure the substrate layer is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick.