Hello everyone, 
I wanted to share some interesting finds about the aforementioned topic. Many people suggest using worms to feed their rays and the most often three that are mentioned are the red wigglers (Eisenia fetida), California Blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus) & Canadian Nightcrawlers (Lumbricus terrestris). I have actually used all of them and this is what I have discovered and observed.
I use to purchase red wigglers in bulk (1 or 2 lbs at a time) from my local vermi-composting company. I would put them in my Rubbermaid homemade "worm-bin" and perform feedings of organic vegetable matter. I would pull 12-15 of them out on a daily basis when I needed to feed them to my rays. What I observed is that during the minor handling, they would emit a foul smell. Obviously, I wanted to perform some research because I did not want it to be caused by something that my supplier was feeding. He assured me that everything fed was pet friendly and safe for animal consumption. I did some further research and discovered that the smell is thought to be a defense mechanism - heck it is even in their names. Fetida is latin for fetid, which I am sure you all know means "offensive odor."
Anyways, as I would drop them in for the rays to eat - I found that they were reluctant to pounce on them. They would leave the worms alone for at least 15-20 minutes before trying to consume them but not without further reluctance. I imagine that it had something to do with the fetidness from the worms. I also not sure about the effects that this chemical excretion has on the water as well.
Another rather large negative "no-no" for me, was the fact that the E. fetida also consume manure.
For the longest time, the only food source for my rays have been the California Blackworms. We all know that rays love this item - it always comes in highly suggested for newly imported rays or stubborn rays. Yep, they sure do love them. In fact, too much. It has been nearly impossible to convert them to eating other foods. I would suggest that once you get your ray eating, switch them off immediately. These worms require round the clock refrigeration and recommended often cleanings (daily is best). Let me tell you, they are not easy to clean despite the worm keepers. Blackworm keepers (6" x 6" x 3") only hold about 6 oz of worms each, as listed on their website. I honestly think the listed 6 oz is a little over generous, because I found the optimum amount for these worm keepers to be around 3-4 oz at most. What this means for the average consumer with an average sized "side by side" refrigerator - it can only hold about four (4) keepers per level. This is only about 1 lb of worms and I don't know about you but that is space that I can really use. Not to mention having to wash out four containers on a daily basis. This was a PAIN to say the least, because if you do not clean them you are in for smells much worse than our other fetid friends. All this plus the risk of possible waterborne diseases introduced into our aquarium(s). Anyone who has used them before knows that they are not 100% or even 80% safe. With predatory leeches in almost every bag it makes you wonder what else could be floating around in there.
Recently I have switched over to the Canadian Nightcrawlers and feel that they are a MUCH better alternative. Not only do they not emit any foul smelling odors, the rays pounce on them when I drop them in. The only real negatives I can think of is their potentially larger size and the need for refrigeration. They need to stay in tempratures below 65F (18C), at essentially all times - obviously not a problem if you live in colder climates. However, the larger size is also a positive depending on how you look at it. You can effectively use them as vessels for stuffing other foods (i.e. pellets) that you wish to train your rays to eat.
I can fit about 150 nightcrawlers into a standard shoebox sized plastic container; easily 3+ lbs. Greatest thing about them is that they can store in their for a around two months and only need their bedding tossed every 2-3 weeks.
To sum it all up, I feel that the Canadian Nightcrawlers are a much better form of food for the rays, if not for all other aquatic species of fish large enough to consume them, compared to the other counterparts. All the previous accounts are all from personal firsthand experience and not from hearsay. Take what you will from it, but please keep this thread clean and on-topic. This could be beneficial to many new keepers or individuals who are in the process of choosing live feed.
Best Regards,
Jeff
I wanted to share some interesting finds about the aforementioned topic. Many people suggest using worms to feed their rays and the most often three that are mentioned are the red wigglers (Eisenia fetida), California Blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus) & Canadian Nightcrawlers (Lumbricus terrestris). I have actually used all of them and this is what I have discovered and observed.
I use to purchase red wigglers in bulk (1 or 2 lbs at a time) from my local vermi-composting company. I would put them in my Rubbermaid homemade "worm-bin" and perform feedings of organic vegetable matter. I would pull 12-15 of them out on a daily basis when I needed to feed them to my rays. What I observed is that during the minor handling, they would emit a foul smell. Obviously, I wanted to perform some research because I did not want it to be caused by something that my supplier was feeding. He assured me that everything fed was pet friendly and safe for animal consumption. I did some further research and discovered that the smell is thought to be a defense mechanism - heck it is even in their names. Fetida is latin for fetid, which I am sure you all know means "offensive odor."
Anyways, as I would drop them in for the rays to eat - I found that they were reluctant to pounce on them. They would leave the worms alone for at least 15-20 minutes before trying to consume them but not without further reluctance. I imagine that it had something to do with the fetidness from the worms. I also not sure about the effects that this chemical excretion has on the water as well.
Another rather large negative "no-no" for me, was the fact that the E. fetida also consume manure.
For the longest time, the only food source for my rays have been the California Blackworms. We all know that rays love this item - it always comes in highly suggested for newly imported rays or stubborn rays. Yep, they sure do love them. In fact, too much. It has been nearly impossible to convert them to eating other foods. I would suggest that once you get your ray eating, switch them off immediately. These worms require round the clock refrigeration and recommended often cleanings (daily is best). Let me tell you, they are not easy to clean despite the worm keepers. Blackworm keepers (6" x 6" x 3") only hold about 6 oz of worms each, as listed on their website. I honestly think the listed 6 oz is a little over generous, because I found the optimum amount for these worm keepers to be around 3-4 oz at most. What this means for the average consumer with an average sized "side by side" refrigerator - it can only hold about four (4) keepers per level. This is only about 1 lb of worms and I don't know about you but that is space that I can really use. Not to mention having to wash out four containers on a daily basis. This was a PAIN to say the least, because if you do not clean them you are in for smells much worse than our other fetid friends. All this plus the risk of possible waterborne diseases introduced into our aquarium(s). Anyone who has used them before knows that they are not 100% or even 80% safe. With predatory leeches in almost every bag it makes you wonder what else could be floating around in there.
Recently I have switched over to the Canadian Nightcrawlers and feel that they are a MUCH better alternative. Not only do they not emit any foul smelling odors, the rays pounce on them when I drop them in. The only real negatives I can think of is their potentially larger size and the need for refrigeration. They need to stay in tempratures below 65F (18C), at essentially all times - obviously not a problem if you live in colder climates. However, the larger size is also a positive depending on how you look at it. You can effectively use them as vessels for stuffing other foods (i.e. pellets) that you wish to train your rays to eat.
I can fit about 150 nightcrawlers into a standard shoebox sized plastic container; easily 3+ lbs. Greatest thing about them is that they can store in their for a around two months and only need their bedding tossed every 2-3 weeks.
To sum it all up, I feel that the Canadian Nightcrawlers are a much better form of food for the rays, if not for all other aquatic species of fish large enough to consume them, compared to the other counterparts. All the previous accounts are all from personal firsthand experience and not from hearsay. Take what you will from it, but please keep this thread clean and on-topic. This could be beneficial to many new keepers or individuals who are in the process of choosing live feed.
Best Regards,
Jeff
