Fortunately, it is generally harmless but can result in a severe allergic reaction. Their bite may feel like a wasp or a bee sting. These worms serve as a primary source of food for other carnivorous species in the aquatic food chain.īloodworms have a painful bite on humans. The worms deliver the venom through the four hollow jaws in the proboscis to kill small insects, insect larvae, crustaceans, and gulls.Īlthough bloodworms are predators, they are part of a healthy aquatic ecosystem as prey. However, during the larval stage, bloodworms are carnivorous and kill their prey with venom. Most people do not know that bloodworms are the larvae life cycle of the chironomid midge.Īn adult midge fly is harmless to other animals and humans. The high hemoglobin levels enable these worms to survive in polluted water with little oxygen. They can survive in waters with poor oxygen levels and minimal salt content.īloodworms have a transparent, segmented body that displays their blood with red iron-porphyrin protein. These worms can be found in subtidal and intertidal regions with muddy, sandy, and silt-layered bottoms. Therefore, do not offer large bloodworms to small fish. If your bloodworms grow to 14 inches, they can intimidate and cause damage to smaller fish. Their heads have four antennas with tiny parapodia that run along their bodies. Bloodworms live in still, shallow marine waters, and freshwater.īloodworms can grow to reach 14 inches. Bloodworms are pale pink or red-colored worms that belong to the class Polychaeta and Glycera genus.

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