Bloodworm warning on bottle

bohmert

Why does it say not to touch with your fingers?

Tazman

There have been medical reports that people can develop an allergy to this creature over time (takes 1 – 2 years) just by touching it, breathing in dried blood worm dust or its contaminated water. A bad reaction (itchy or swollen eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, skin swells) to this fish food can build up over several years and you should be aware of this.[1]

Byron

Yes, I am one who has this allergy, and I knew an employee in a fish store many years ago with the same. It affects me from the freeze-dried and the frozen bloodworms.

Interestingly, it seems to have abated lately, though I am still careful not to touch the frozen bloodworms or inhale the smell, just in case. I feed frozen once or twice a week. And I wash my hands well after feeding them.

Byron.

bohmert

i got some freeze dried for my bumblebee gobys. I soak it a bit and fed the flake food first so the crowd is busy and it makes it somewhat down. They do come out for it. Not sure how often to feed it though?

Olympia

I'm feeding my gobies every other day. Don't know about yours but mine seem fine after around 4 bloodworms. They will also feed on microscopic life if you have any plants in the tank with them.

Sakura8

Best way to feed boodworms, frozen or otherwise, is using tweezers or some other implement to handle them. Limits contact and thus the chances of developing the allergy.