Enchytraeus buchholzi

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Enchytraeus buchholzi

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Annelida
Class:	Clitellata
Subclass:	Oligochaeta
Order:	Haplotaxida
Family:	Megascolecidae
Genus:	Enchytraeus
Species:	E. buchholzi

Binomial name

Enchytraeus buchholzi

Enchytraeus buchholzi (also known as white worms or Grindal worm)^[1]) is an annelid worm. It's cultured by aquarists as a fish food.^[1]

I'd like to note that Mrs. Morton Grindal from Sweden has taken claim to the Grindal Worms while separating them from her white worm cultures.

Instructions for Culturing Grindals

Temperature: Room temperature to 70- 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Environment: Select a dark place in your room away from heater vents, warm spots or drafty areas.

Size: 1/2" long

Medium/ Bedding: There are many mediums that can be used for Grindal worms. You can use top soil which is inexpensive. The only problem that I have found with top soil is that it eventually turns into mud and eventually starts to smell bad once the culture begins to age. Top soil can be purchased at your local hardware store for as little as $2.00 for a 50 pound bag. You can use cocoanut fiber. My local pet store carries cocoanut fiber bricks for $5.00. Once water is added to the brick according to the directions, there should be enough to make 10 shoeboxes. Also, you can culture grindals on filter floss. You may be able to find a small bag inexpensively for $3.00 or you can try scrubby pads if you can find some at your local dollar store- you know the green- plain kind without the soap. I've even heard of folks culturing their grindals on sponges. The possibilities are endless.

Feeding: These worms live on decaying plant matter in the wild. In home culturing you can feed them baby cereal, oatmeal, fish flakes, mashed potato flakes, cat food, dog food, slices of bread. Whatever you choose to feed, be sure to hydrate it with a mist of water or make a slurry paste. Their food must be wet. Don't feed them meats, anything with oil, onions, garlic, citrus fruits, spicy & salty foods and similar foods.

Harvesting: 1- Create an impression in the center of your culture medium with a spoon and put 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of their food into the impression. The worms will flock around and on top of the food when hungry. You can then pick them off with a pair of tweezers and feed them to your fish. 2- Sprinkle a little of their food on top of the culture medium and place a small piece of glass, waxed paper or plastic wrap on top of the food. Once worms have collected on your item or lid, remove it and submerge it into your fish tank.

Notes: These worms have both male and female sex organs and reproduce in the same manner as earth worms. They lay their eggs near any food source so the hatching young will be able to eat. If your worms are not eaten immediately by your fish, fret not. These worms can live in the water for an extended period of time, but are unable to swim. They will sink to the bottom of the tank and remain there until eaten by your fish.

Sub-culture: Don't overpopulate your cultures. The medium will become sour and eventually kill your culture. Subdivide your culture as often as necessary to keep them going. Avoid very damp soil because your worms may drown. You'll know if the medium is too damp because the worms will come to the surface. They'll also come to the surface if over populated. Avoid over feeding them because overfeeding them can cause many problems as well. Feed only as much as they will eat in a day.

Pest: Flies, gnats and mites are known to be pest of Grindal Worms. Be on the look out if any problems occur and treat the problem accordingly

Where to find Grindal Worms ?