Culture of white worm (Enchytraeus sp.) as live feed in aquaculture

This study aimed to determine the cultural conditions for using white grubs (Enchytraeus sp.) as live feed in aquaculture. The experiment was evaluated separately as culture 1 and culture 2. In culture 1, it was found that the white worm species increased from 10 adult individuals to 424 adult and juvenile individuals at the end of 70 days at approximately 21 °C. In the second experiment (culture 2), coconut peat was used as the culture medium in the first and second experimental groups, and zeolite with coconut peat in the third group. The first and third experimental groups were fed a control diet, while the second group was fed a diet with 10% zeolite added to the control diet. In the 60-day study at the culture 2 stage, the number of worms, which was 10 at 24 °C, was determined to be 58.67±4.67, 71.67±2.96 and 134±3.79 in the control, group 1, and group 2, respectively. The zeolite used together with the culture soil caused a significant increase in the number of individuals in the worm culture compared to the groups using coconut peat alone. This study found that the zeolite used in the white worm culture medium can be recommended for white worm culture.