novafishy Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 Whenever I use my fingers to take out the frozen bloodworms cubes to feed the fish, after about 10-15 minutes or so, even after washing my fingers with soap and water, I get this REALLY itchy sensation all through the fingers which came into or close contact with the bloodworms. Why is this? what is the ingredient that causes this irritating symptom that has forced me to wear a rubber glove each time I take out the frozen bloodworms? On the other hand, handling frozen brineshrimp cubes have no side effects. Anyone else experience the same problems? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuong Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 Yeah, I have the same problem. No idea on what specifically is causing, but antihistamines seem to work if I accidently rub it in my eye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novafishy Posted October 8, 2005 Author Share Posted October 8, 2005 Yes, when i accidentally rub my eye, it will swell up and become quite swollen. so u reckon antihistamines are the way to go to cure the swollen eye? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksta Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 Guys, it is actually a fairly common problem. It is most likely the actual bloodworms your allergic to, nothing that is added. If I were you guys I would skip them after you finish what you already own, they aren't the greatest source of nutrition anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuong Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 17 packets to go then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmo42au Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 what is a better source of nutrition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mianos Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 Pam at work also has this problem. She does not use them. There are lots of other good food about. Trial and error with small packets is a good way to find out. Almost everything I have loves Tetra colorbits almost as much as bloodworms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducksta Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 what is a better source of nutrition? ← Pretty much any good quality prepared flake or pellet will be far superior nutritional balance. Some good threads on food and nutrition Recommended Foods Ingredients to look for Senstive Tropheus food requirements I would also highly recommend you have a good long read of all the threads which have been earmarked as valuable in the FAQ Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wui39 Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 I don't particularly like bloodworms anymore so I now feed Brine shrimp. I find their less offensive to the skin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duck Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 brine shrimps have even lesser nutrition value ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novafishy Posted October 8, 2005 Author Share Posted October 8, 2005 I thought that brine shrimp had huge nutritional value?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 I think Brine shrimp have very good nutritional value as they have carotene as well as the protein value. Fed with vegie foods as well I don't think you can go wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pacco Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 I hate frozen bloodworms with a passion. I used to just itch with bloodworm contact, but now if I get it on my skin I welt up within a minute or two. Looks like little jellyfish stinger burns. Which is why I always use gloves when I have to feed with them at work, and I avoid doing that whenever I can. Cheers Pacco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Salita Posted October 8, 2005 Share Posted October 8, 2005 Purely a guess here, but I am punting it would be the litle hairs on the bloodworms that is causing the irritation. They get stuck in the skin and cause irritation in some. I dont think blackworms have these tiny cilia. I am a fan of mysis shrimp and brine shrimp too. The mysis make it easier for the bigger fish to get a feed imo, and the krill are even better for the bigger fish. I agree with ant, that brine shrimp have more nutritional content than bloodworms, which are mostly water and a little protien but brine have the other nutrients mentioned as well. Cheers, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markus13 Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 Brine Shrimp is 90% water, so little or no nutritional value at all. (the fish DO enjoy the salty taste of them however). As for Bloodworms, they contain one of the highest concentrations of allergens known to man (if induced they can be deadly). I would recommend only using brands that triple radiate the product such as Hikari premium. I get massive reactions to all brands of BW other than Hikari, so I think that speaks volumes about the quality that is out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novafishy Posted October 9, 2005 Author Share Posted October 9, 2005 Thanks for the replies and experiences guys, but one thing i'm confused now is the nutritional quality of frozen brine shrimp. Some ppl say its super high in nutrition and others say they have little nutritional value. Which is it? I know for a fact that freshly hatched bbs have superior nutritional value, but what about frozen brine shrimp? I feed my fish brine shrimp all the time, and they relish it to death. I also thought that frozen bloodworms such as Hikari, which I'm using, have a high level of protein which is great for fish. Jason, good guess, and I believe you are correct...need to research further tho... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eddie Salita Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 I am 90% water too, so are the carrots and lettuce in my garden. Its the nutritional value, and variety of nutrients in the 10% that make the diff imho. Fish love bloodworms too, but are they salty.......Flamingo's exist purely on brine shrimps for part of the year, and they get their amazing colour from them then breed as a result. So there has to be something to them...... reasearch is never wasted.......good plan..... CHeers, Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuong Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 The brine shrimp that the flamingos eat are full of eggs though which probably explains why the get such nice colours. I suppose the best thing you could do is to forget about the nitty gritty nutritional content of some foods and just feed a variety of them . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wui39 Posted October 9, 2005 Share Posted October 9, 2005 I noticed that Hikari also label their frozen brine shrimp having very little protein content, around 6%. I thought I was getting ripped off for such poor food. What I now go on as to the nutritional value is the Dry Frozen stuff. Protein content is now around the 60% mark. It would seem this is a better comparison to make with Dry flake and pellet food. My view is that the Frozen stuff has water and therefore a lower overall level of protein in relation to the mass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ant Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 I suppose the best thing you could do is to forget about the nitty gritty nutritional content of some foods and just feed a variety of them yes.gif . Well said, i think this is what matters the most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gav Posted October 10, 2005 Share Posted October 10, 2005 i think the nutrional value of brine shrimp varies depending on whats left in their gut. hungry brine shrimp have far less nutritional value than well fed ones. thats why the best you cane have is ones you raise yourself and feed just before you use them as food for your fish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbunaman Posted October 19, 2005 Share Posted October 19, 2005 i have the same problem..i found a solution for myself that works keep your worms in 2 freezer bags,use the bags instead of your hands.no more itchy hands or eyes..cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
novafishy Posted October 20, 2005 Author Share Posted October 20, 2005 Thanks for the tip mate. I've been using gloves and i guess its much easier to use the freezer bags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poi55n Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 after seeing what bloodworms did to my eyes i wouldnt even bother feeding my fish bloodworms anymore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeyBoyR Posted October 20, 2005 Share Posted October 20, 2005 I never use frozen bloodworms. Back when I had cichlids I'd use a a vegie flake, another high qualtiy flake, a sinking pellet and color bits. This diet would be supplemented with a mix of frozen foods. Usually brine shrimp, a community or cichlid mix, and occasionally some live blackworm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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