{"product_id":"california-blackworms","title":"California Blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus)","description":"\u003cp\u003eCalifornia Blackworms (\u003ci\u003eLumbriculus variegatus\u003c\/i\u003e) are widely celebrated as the ultimate high-protein live superfood, designed to invigorate the health, coloration, and natural predatory instincts of freshwater tropical fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eShort Description \u0026amp; Highlights\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCalifornia Blackworms offer an exceptional source of clean, highly digestible protein and essential lipids that dry and frozen foods simply cannot match. Highly palatable and wriggling with natural movement, they stimulate even the most finicky eaters, conditioning breeding pairs, and accelerating the growth of juvenile fish. For beginner aquarists, they serve as a safe, highly rewarding dietary supplement that promotes peak vitality across community tanks, dwarf cichlids, labyrinth fish, and bottom-dwellers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eKey Product Highlights:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCalifornia Blackworms\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ci\u003eLumbriculus variegatus\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eProduct Type\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHigh-Protein Live Superfood \/ Fish Food\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eNutritional Profile\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRich in crude protein, essential amino acids, and fats\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eTarget Species\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFreshwater tropical fish, cichlids, bettas, tetras, and bottom-feeders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eFeeding Frequency\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2 to 3 times per week as a conditioning treat\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eStorage Requirement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKept refrigerated in shallow, clean water with daily rinses\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eBeginner Friendliness\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExtremely easy to portion and feed using a feeding cone\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDetailed Beginner Care \u0026amp; Feeding Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1. Nutritional Benefits \u0026amp; Impact\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProviding live foods like California Blackworms introduces crucial natural dietary diversity. The high protein concentration supports robust muscle development, intense coloration, and peak reproductive conditioning. Because they remain alive and wriggling in the water column for a short time, they safely awaken the active hunting instincts of fish that typically ignore floating flake foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2. Safe Feeding Practices for Beginners\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo feed, rinse the desired portion of blackworms thoroughly under clean, dechlorinated tap water using a fine mesh net. It is best to use a specialized floating or suction-cup worm feeding cone; this prevents the worms from burrowing into your aquarium substrate and dying out beneath the gravel, which could otherwise impact water quality. Only offer an amount that your fish can completely consume within 3 to 5 minutes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3. Storage \u0026amp; Maintenance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo maximize the lifespan of your live culture upon arrival, store the blackworms in a shallow container in the refrigerator (maintaining a temperature around 35°F to 40°F \/ 2°C to 4°C). Completely change their water daily using fresh, cold, dechlorinated water, discarding any sluggish or dead white segments. Properly maintained, a batch can remain fresh and nutrient-dense for up to two weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Live Food","offers":[{"title":"Blackworms 45ml","offer_id":57051516043604,"sku":"ZS010171","price":2.43,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"Blackworms 90ml","offer_id":57051516076372,"sku":"ZS010172","price":4.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1052\/5828\/7444\/files\/CaliforniaBlackworms_45ml.jpg?v=1788693328","url":"https:\/\/www.tropicalmarineaquatic.com\/products\/california-blackworms","provider":"Tropical Marine Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}