Grindal worm: description, conditions of detention and reproduction

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Grindal worm is a forage crop that is used by many aquarists to feed fry and small fish. It is small in size and not particularly demanding on the conditions of detention, and therefore quite popular. Consider the conditions for keeping and breeding the grindal worm at home. Learn how to get rid of a worm in flower pots.

General information

Grindal worm is a dwarf white worm that reaches 0.4 to 1 cm in length and about 0.5 mm in width. It has the smallest dimensions among enchitreuses. Visually, the body is divided into segments, on which there are several bundles of villi. The worm got its name from the name of Morton Grindal, who first used this culture to feed fish.

In nature, the grindal worm lives in the soil. He loves moisture. Can grow in the soil of flower pots. Eats bacteria and decaying organic mattersubstances. Capable of fighting earth mites.

This is a nutritious feed crop that contains 70% protein, 10% carbohydrates and 14% fat. At the same time, there are almost no vitamins and minerals in the composition. Grindal is not recommended as a permanent food crop for fish as it can cause digestive problems, infertility and obesity.

Conditions and feeding

To keep the grindal worm, wooden, glass or plastic boxes with a wide bottom and a height of about 10 cm are used. They should be tightly covered with a lid on top to avoid parasites and mold spores getting into the box. The distance from the substrate to the cover should be 1-2 cm.

You can use as soil:

• coconut substrate;
• sphagnum moss;
• High neutralized peat;
• foam sheets,
• nylon batting.

When buying a substrate in a flower shop, make sure that it does not contain fertilizers or chemical components. The substrate (except moss) should be boiled to kill all living organisms that may be on it. Moss can be scalded with boiling water or poured with warm water for a while.

In a moist substrate, make several recesses into which food is placed. The grindal worm's diet includes:

• oatmeal and oatmeal;
• boiled vegetables (potatoes, carrots, cabbage);
• bread crumb;
• baby food;
• milk;
• fish oil;
• drynettle;
• low-fat cheese;
• wheatgrass;
• coconut.

You can get worms for feeding with a net. In this case, you should rake the earth with worms and lower it into the water. You can use tweezers.

Breeding

Grindal worm multiplies rapidly under optimal conditions. The population can double within three days. The temperature should be maintained around 18-22 degrees. At higher temperatures, reproduction occurs faster. However, it is also possible to develop parasites and mold. Reproduction stops at a temperature of 4 degrees. The substrate must be moist, and therefore it must be sprayed from a spray bottle at least once every three days. The box should be in a dark place.

Parasite and mold

Because the Grindal worm container is humid and warm, the ground mites often start up in it. They are small white insects. They are not dangerous to the worms or fish themselves, but, having bred, they can absorb the food that is in the container. To avoid the reproduction of mites, you need to ensure that there are no rotting food residues on the substrate. Putting a new portion of food is possible only after the previous one has been completely eaten. In this case, do not raise the temperature too much. To get rid of mites, the substrate must be washed well in water. Grindal should also be washed with water in a container. In this case, the worms fall to the bottom, and the ticks float up. Washed worms can be returned to the substrate. Before that, it should be boiled.

Also often in humid environmentsmold develops. Its spores can be bad for fish. If mold appears, you should immediately change the substrate to a new one.

How to get rid of

Grindal worms feed on decaying organic matter. Having strongly multiplied, with a lack of food, they can feed on the roots of indoor plants. That's why it's important to know how to get rid of the grindal worm.

First, you should examine the soil well. It is worth removing all decaying organic matter: fallen leaves, flowers, tea leaves, and so on. Watering should be adjusted. The soil should not be waterlogged.

If this does not help, the soil should be watered with a solution of "Bazudin" or "Regent".

Thus, the grindal worm is a popular fodder crop that is easy to keep and breed. Aquarists use it to feed young and small fish. You should not feed the fish with a grindal all the time, otherwise serious he alth problems may begin. It lives in water for no more than a day, so you should not give it more than the fish can eat, as dead worms will lead to rapid contamination of the aquarium. Worms can be stored in the refrigerator at 0 degrees for about three months.