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Bloodworms - 2007/03/12 02:20Hi, I like to fish but the bloodworms (Glyceria di Branchiata)have become expensive.So I thought can I raise my own? So with a little research I know they are harvested from the ocean mudflats but can't find any info on how to raise them if possible. I would appreciate any help.Thanks, Masterg1
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Worm Police
User A Mature Breeder Earthworm
Posts: 97
Re:Bloodworms - 2007/03/18 14:42When I was watching Dirty Jobs on TV, they did a blood worm harvest with heavy duty special curved rakes on the beaches. I suppose if you acquired a large plastic kiddy pool, and filled it with ocean sand and mud, you could experiment, maybe set it on and incline so it is part dry, part wet and feed different kinds of high protein food to see what they like. I am thinking pig food, or dry cat or dog food pellets. Its my guess they may like meat, because they do bite. Its hard to say. But I would try small amounts of different foods to see what they might like, and if they survive it. They may not be meant to be raised. But you never know. You might happen upon a new idea that may succeed, with out the back breaking work of rake harvesting, of which is why they are pricey.
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redhen
User A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 703
Re:Bloodworms - 2007/03/18 22:21I looked into this, for some reason I cannot remember right now. I found out that, I think, there was one place growing bloodworms for the whole East Coast. It is a very labor intensive process and I would guess that that is why they are expensive to buy. Keep searching "how to raise bloodworms", and I think you might find the information.Susan Quinby-Honer redhen@nc.rr.com Starve the Landfill...Feed the Earth.
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wellsworms
User A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 624
Re:Bloodworms - 2007/03/19 08:20 My dad used to dig his own in West Haven ,ct on the sand bar as a kid I remember going with him on a Saturday morning to dig the days supply of worms he dug a ditch[ with the worm rake that looked like a pitch fork with the handle attached at 90 degrees to the tines like a hoe is to the blade] from the water line at low tide up to the high tide mark my job was to pick up the sand worms with out getting bit . Yes they bite dad would always have to cut off the head so I could bait my own hook.We kept them in a large gallon sized tin can filled with sea weed and a hanfull of beach sand the sand helped to get a grip on them while baiting the hook.I haven't thoughof the happy times in years thanks for the trip into my childhood.FEED IT TO THE WORMS WELLS,vermont jerry walker 2008
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masterg1
User A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 5
Re:Bloodworms - 2007/03/19 19:16Hi Worm Police, Thanks for that suggestion.It sounds like something I will try experimenting with.Thanks again !! Masterg1
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masterg1
User A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 5
Re:Bloodworms - 2007/03/19 19:22Hi Redhen, Thanks for your input.By all means if you do remember please let me know.Until then I will do more research.Thanks again!! masterg1
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masterg1
User A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 5
Re:Bloodworms - 2007/03/19 19:32Hi wellsworms, Thank you for piece of your childhood. I was glad to see that I brought back some happy memories.Hopefully I will be able to make some of growing them one day.Thanks again!! masterg1
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redhen
User A Protected Species Earthworm
Posts: 703
Re:Bloodworms - 2007/03/19 21:42Take a look at this: http://www.waterwereld.nu/rodemugeng.htmlSusan Quinby-Honer redhen@nc.rr.com Starve the Landfill...Feed the Earth.
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masterg1
User A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 5
Re:Bloodworms - 2007/03/19 22:49Hi Redhen, Thanks for that website.It's funny though,I had been on that website and when i saw those pictures I said to myself "this is not what I'm looking for and never made it to the bottom of the page where it where it says how to raise bloodworms.Guess I should slow down and pay closer attention Thanks once again!!! masterg1
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Rebelsqk
User A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 3
Re:Bloodworms - 2007/05/19 14:04Hi,
I have run into the same problem but with Seaworms. Expensive an small! I don't know if you could raise bloodworms or not. My first thought is not likley. I can't really see how you can reproduce tidal conditions except on a pretty large scale... But who knows!
What I do is go an dig my own. It is only a 10- 15 minute ride to a couple of OK digging spots. I have found I can keep the Seaworms for 3 weeks in the fridge. All I do is use commercial worm bedding. I have not tried anything more as this more than enough time for me.
I will go once a week for half an hour. Yes it is work! I call it exersize... I am looking for large worms for stripers. I will find a dozen or two 8"+ an quit. I do see blood worms but they are small. Conditions are not ideal though at all. I get what I need though.
If you live within reasonable distance of the ocean digging your own might be the way to go. Should you or anyone want more info on some of the details of digging let me know.
Gary
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nataneely
User A Fertile Cocoon
Posts: 1
Re:Bloodworms - 2010/08/01 21:33Okay, I am a 3rd generation marine bloodworm digger from downeast Maine. I can tell you that no one has successfully been able to raise bloodworms in captivity to my knowledge. There has been some success with sandworms though. Just the idea of this success threatens my way of life, but I can keep them for months at a time, but that is a secret. I can tell you 2 things that may help you though. They need to stay very cold, near freezing, and one thing you may not of thought of, is that they need get oxygen the same way a fish does. They get the oxygen from the water. Stagnant water = dead worms.
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Worm Police
User A Mature Breeder Earthworm
Posts: 97
Re:Bloodworms - 2010/08/01 23:50Its been years since I have written here. I have been occupied with other things, but I am still raising red wriggler composting worms here in Washington State. For two week ends in a row, I have been selling worm cast at the local Farmers Market. As the word gets out, I sell more, my sales have increased from 2.00 profit the first Saturday, to 28.00 the second Saturday, lol. Glad I have more time than brains. But I did sell enough to pay for my spot.. Anyway, it adds to the local flavore of this small town Market. All the veders are local, and all items are either home made or home grown. Its an inexpensive way to peddle your crafts or produce, cheaper than a newspaper ad. And you get to meet and talk to new people. Good luck with your blood worms Nataneely.
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My dad used to dig his own in West Haven ,ct on the sand bar as a kid I remember going with him on a Saturday morning to dig the days supply of worms he dug a ditch[
with the worm rake that looked like a pitch fork with the handle attached at 90 degrees to the tines like a hoe is to the blade] from the water line at low tide up to the high tide mark my job was to pick up the sand worms with out getting bit . Yes they bite dad would always have to cut off the head so I could bait my own hook.We kept them in a large gallon sized tin can filled with sea weed and a hanfull of beach sand the sand helped to get a grip on them while baiting the hook.I haven't thoughof the happy times in years thanks for the trip into my childhood.
Thanks once again!!!