Ideal Uses for Microworms:
- Betta fry up to 1/4 inch
- Corydoras fry and sub-adults up to 3/4 inch
- Larval newts and salamanders
- Frog tadpoles
- Apistogramma fry up to 1/4 inch
- Killifish fry up to 1/2 inch
- Gourami fry up to 1/4 inch
- Guppy fry up to 1/4 inch
- Most fry until they’re ready for Grindal worms
Curious about Microworms? Ask us for more details!
What Are Microworms?
Microworms are not actually worms but nematodes from the species Panagrellus. They are slightly smaller than baby brine shrimp and highly prolific. While some argue that microworms may not be as nutritious as brine shrimp, they are still an excellent option, especially for fry that are too small to consume baby brine shrimp.
Why Choose Microworms?
With the rising and unpredictable costs of brine shrimp cysts, many aquarists have turned to microworms as an affordable and effective alternative. Microworms offer good nutritional value and come with some added benefits, making them a practical choice for many hobbyists.
Culturing Microworms
There are many methods for culturing microworms, each with varying results. Based on our experience, here’s a simple and effective way to start:
- Prepare the Culture: Cook a batch of regular, unsalted oatmeal according to the package instructions, but make it slightly thicker by adding more cereal and cooking it for an extra 15 seconds in the microwave. Once cooked, spread about 1/2 inch of the oatmeal mixture on the bottom of a butter tub and let it cool to room temperature.
- Inoculate the Culture: Punch a couple of small nail holes in the lid of the container to allow airflow, though the worms may eventually clog them. Once the oatmeal has cooled, sprinkle a small pinch of active yeast (like Fleischmann’s) on top—just enough to kickstart the process. Then, add a portion of your microworm starter by placing a spoonful onto the oatmeal.
- Wait and Harvest: Within a few days, you should see parts of the mix become glistening and slightly fluid-like—that’s the worms wiggling. After about a week, the culture will be ready to harvest.
Harvesting Microworms
To harvest, simply scrape the worms off the sides of the container with a dull knife. Swish the collected worms into a beaker with an inch of water, and you’ll see the water cloud up with millions of tiny worms. Use an eyedropper to feed the worms directly to your fry.
Microworms are easy to culture and provide a reliable, nutritious food source for small fry and larvae. With minimal effort, you can ensure your fry get the food they need to thrive.