Killifish
Immature Nothobranchius palmqvisti Gezani feeding on grindal worms

Grindal worms (Enchytraeus buchholzi) are very easy to keep and breed, and make an excellent food for small to medium fish. A typical harvest will contain numerous larger (up to 1cm) and smaller worms (1mm or smaller) suitable for even tiny fry, and what's more, these worms will live happily underwater without dieing and causing pollution. This is an ideal situation to feed tanks of immature killies. Some individuals of certain species (like Nothobranchius palmqvisti Gezani, above) may outgrow, and ultimately predate on their smaller siblings. Grindal worms provide ample food for fry of all sizes, and unlike artemia, don't all bunch together in one area of the tank. Importantly, all fish get a chance to feed.

All you need to culture grindal worms: oats, media, glass, water
All you need to culture grindal worms: oats, media, glass, water

Grindal worm culture regime

The worms and media are kept in plastic food storage boxes, loosely lidded, with ventilation holes. Each culture is fed and harvested at the same time approximately every 24 hours. Cultures live indoors on the top (warmest) shelf of the fish room all year round. It is important to allow the worms ample ventilation; cultures with no air can crash very quickly, however they should not be allowed to dry out.

The traditional culture media for grindal worms is much the same as for white worms: a blend of coir (45%), peat/compost (45%), a small amount of sand (10%), maybe a handful of lime to maintain alkalinity. Cultures will turn acidic eventually and should either be replaced with new cultures if production drops, or partially replaced continuously (I take a few handfuls of media to a fish auction every now and again, and then top up the old culture). Activated carbon can be added to the media. The media should always be damp, yet never waterlogged or sodden.

Another method for housing grindal worms, and one that works very well indeed, is to keep the worms in damp sponge. Simply cut a rectangle of open-pored sponge, maybe three to four centimetres thick, and place it in half a centimetre depth of water in the food storage box. This is the perfect media for grindal worms, maintaining the correct humidity, and providing a huge area for the worms to inhabit. The sponge may need to be rinsed out periodically, especially if production drops.

A typical grindal worm culture
A typical grindal worm culture
The worms gather on the glass in large numbers
The worms gather on the glass in large numbers
The worms can be simply rinsed off
The worms can be simply rinsed off

Feeding grindal worms

Whichever media the worms are kept in, they are fed the same way: on (under) glass plates. I sprinkle a light layer of fine instant oat cereal on the damp glass, and place face down on the culture. Keeping the food on the glass keeps the culture fresh, minimises mold and mites, and draws the worms to the glass for easy harvesting.

The worms are collected 24 hours later, simply by running clean water over the glass. The glass can then again be reloaded with food.

Grindal worm culturing problems

These really are one of the easiest livefoods available for killifish keepers. Provided cultures are kept warm and well fed they can provide daily worms for months with no real problems. Cultures should be restarted when production drops off. Many people complain about mites within their cultures, and moth balls can be used, however if the food is under a large enough piece of glass this is rarely a problem. In fact mites can act as an additional food source for surface feeding killies.

Feeding grindal worms to killifish

Grindal worms make a superb food for most small and medium sized killifish. Quicker growing annual fish such as Nothobranchius will take grindal worms fairly quickly after artemia, often within their first week. Make sure you feed very small numbers if you have a substrate in your tank, as worms will bury themselves, eventually dieing under the gravel. As is the case with white worms, apple and rams-horn snails will eat grindal worms given the opportunity.

10 day old Nothobranchius furzeri eating grindal worms

10 day old Nothobranchius furzeri eating grindal worms This is a still from a short video clip. Click the the image to go to youtube and play the clip. Note there is a high resolution version (just below the image on youtube, look for the 'watch in high quality' link)


Grindal worm cultures for sale

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6-8 oz Grindal worms Starter culture - ready to use

Fort Worth, Texas, 761**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$13

Live Grindal worm starter culture
Item Details Live Grindal worm starter culture
A 16oz vented Container containing 1-2 inches of coco coir teeming with live Grindal worms - Enchytraeus buchholzi
Grindal worms are an excellent live food for small and medium fish They are small annelid worms ranging in size from 5-12 mm in length (1 / 4 to 1 / 2 inch)
Unlike white worms, they do well at room temperature
They can live submerged in water ... more

Grindal worms Starter culture! The One In The Picture Is The One You Get!

Clovis, California, 936**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$26

This product is a live starter culture of Grindal worms, specifically suitable for Betta fish. It is a Tropical brand product, made in the United States, and designed for all water types. The package includes the exact culture shown in the picture, ensuring transparency and authenticity for the buyer. This culture is ideal for providing a nutritious and natural food source for Betta fish, promoting their health and well-being


They will explode! Great for babyfish!
Fast ... more

1 Grindal worms Starter culture and 1 White worm Starter culture

Ogden, Kansas, 665**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$25

We do not ship to Hawaii, Alaska, Guam or Puerto Rico, 1 Grindal worms Starter culture and 1 White worm Starter culture
friend the worm when you receive it you only put a small ball of food
and as the worm multiplies another ball of food is added
If you throw a lot of food to the worms, the food that they don't eat is damaged and that kills the oxygen of the earth and they die the wormsI only recommend feeding them as they multiply
if you buy before 12:30 pm I ship your order the ... more

Grindal Worms ?? High-Protein Live Food for Fish & Amphibians( 1 5 oz) Read Below

Vancouver, Washington, 986**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$10

Live Grindal Worm Culture ?? 1 5 oz Cup
Looking for a reliable live food source for your fish, amphibians, or small invertebrates? Our Grindal Worm Culture (1 5 oz) is a nutritious, high-protein live food, perfect for bettas, guppies, tetras, dwarf cichlids, and even some reptiles!
What You??ll Receive:
A 1 5 oz cup containing a thriving Grindal worm culture in a sponge A small amount of food to keep them alive during shippingA care guide to help you maintain and grow your cultureWhy ... more

4 oz Grindal worms Starter culture Live Fish Food Protein Amphibians Reptiles

La Mesa, California, 919**, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

$13

Give your tropical fish the best start to their diet with this 4 oz Grindal worms Starter culture. These live worms are perfect for all water types and will provide your fish with a nutritious and delicious meal. This product is made in the United States and is suitable for all tropical fish.
With a brand name like Tropical, you can trust that you are getting a high-quality product that will make your fish happy and healthy. This product is sold as a single unit and is not part of a custom ... more