California Blackworm

California Blackworms are detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter, algae, bacteria, and decomposing plant material found in the substrate. In a dedicated culture or refugium setup, they can be supplemented with small amounts of spirulina powder, blanched leafy vegetables, or commercial algae wafers. They require very little active feeding in an established tank with a natural substrate and organic mulm.

These worms are largely sedentary, spending most of their time burrowed into soft substrate or packed in dense, writhing masses at the bottom of the tank. They are entirely peaceful and pose no threat to any tank inhabitants; they function as a living cleanup crew and on-demand live food source. When disturbed or exposed to light, they will quickly retreat into the substrate or tangle together in protective clumps.

California Blackworms reproduce almost entirely asexually, by fragmentation, which makes them very easy to culture in large numbers. A worm breaks into pieces and each piece regrows into a whole worm within a couple of weeks. A cool, well-oxygenated container with a thin layer of substrate and regular water changes is enough to keep a culture thriving.