Earthworms good as feed for fish, crabs

Cultured earthworm is a good substitute for "trash fish" as foods of fish and crabs grown in cages.

This was found in a study done by Philip Cruz, president of the Cruz Aquaculture Corp. (CAC) in Bacolod City (Negros Oriental).

"With the cost of only P10 for producing a kilo of fresh earthworms using agricultural wastes, it is more attractive to use earthworms instead of ‘trash fish’ for feeding fish," reported Cruz, who conducted a research titled "Prospects of Raising Earthworms for Aquaculture Feeds."

The study was funded by the Los Baños-based Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Aquatic and Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD).

Trash fish are undersized and low-value fish processed into bagoong and patis (fish sauce) for human consumption. Its supply is highly seasoned and prices are in the upswing with the fuel crisis.

In field trials he had conducted, Cruz found that feeding of fresh earthworms for fattening mudcrabs and growing grouper (lapu-lapu) in cages has been found to be feasible.

He noted that the cultured earthworm, Hudrilus eugenise or "African nightcrawler", can be an economical, high-quality, and easily produced replacement for trash fish required by cage fish farmers in the country.

Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, PCARRD executive director, said that there are about 10,000 farmers in the country presently producing vermicompost (earthworm costs) and earthworms that can be sources of feed for fishfarming. – Rudy A. Fernandez