Live Feeder Worms for Fish & Invertebrates

For the safety of our animals, we now ship live cultures exclusively via UPS 2nd Day Air. If your order contains this item, you will only see UPS 2nd Day Air as a shipping option during checkout.

Grindal Worms (Enchytraeus buchholzi) are a nutritious, easy-to-culture live food that have become a favorite among freshwater hobbyists. Smaller than white worms but larger than microworms, Grindal Worms are the perfect live treat for community fish, dwarf cichlids, bettas, gouramis, killifish, and shrimp colonies. At Aquatic Arts, we proudly offer starter cultures bred in-house to ensure strength and vitality.

What We Love About This Live Food:

• High in protein and lipids—ideal for growth, breeding, and conditioning fish.
• Perfect size for small to medium fish and shrimp.
• Easy to culture in small containers with minimal equipment.
• Sustainable, long-term live food option for any home fishroom.

Starter Culture Details:

Each starter culture comes in a 2 oz cup with a thriving base population of Grindal Worms and the medium they’ve been growing in. This is enough to establish your own continuous culture at home.

Breeder Kits Available:

For those who want a quick, ready-to-go setup, we also offer complete Breeder Kits that include:
• One established 2 oz starter culture
• Culture container with lid
• Bedding medium
• Starter food supply

Culture & Feeding Instructions:

Grindal Worms are simple to maintain and will reproduce continuously when provided with the right conditions:

• Feeding: Sprinkle a small amount of food (such as oatmeal paste, finely powdered fish food, or specialized worm food) on the surface of the bedding. Cover lightly with a piece of damp plastic or glass to keep moisture in and provide a feeding surface.

• Frequency: Feed once daily or every other day, adjusting the amount so the food is mostly consumed within 24 hours. Overfeeding can lead to mold growth, so keep portions modest.

• Breeding: As long as the culture remains moist and fed regularly, the worms will multiply quickly. Within 1–2 weeks, you should have a dense, harvestable population.

• Harvesting: Collect worms by scraping them from the surface of the food or from the underside of the cover plate. Rinse briefly before feeding to your fish.

Care & Culture Guidelines:

• Temperature: 65°–75° F (18°–24° C)
• Feeding Medium: Oatmeal, powdered fish food, or specialized worm food
• Harvest Frequency: Once established, cultures can be harvested several times per week
• Longevity: With proper care, a single starter can supply live food indefinitely

Live Arrival Guarantee:
All Aquatic Arts brand plants and animals come with a 100% live arrival guarantee, plus free email support to help you succeed in your setup.