Keeping leeches long term

  • slab-hunter
    Red Wing, MN
    Posts: 329
    July 15, 2013 at 10:42 pm #1282962

    OK, If this has been posted previously, I appologize.
    I got to looking at my leech inventory in the frig and was wondering what the rest of you do to keep them lively all summer long. I think it’s best to get them out of the small styro containers and into something larger. What about water? How often do you guys change it? What about temperature? I know my beer/live bait frige is at 35 degrees.
    What am I missing?

    Don

    baitshopguy13
    Lakeland,MN
    Posts: 75
    July 15, 2013 at 11:25 pm #1183696

    what kind of water are you using? well water is best if you do not have well water make sure to let the city water sit out over night then replace

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 23135
    July 15, 2013 at 11:36 pm #1183701

    Well water, changed once a week. This is with maybe about 1/4 lb or less. If more than that, about every 3 days I can keep them for anywhere form 2 to 3 months this way, then they get sickly looking.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    July 16, 2013 at 12:38 am #1183707

    If you have well water. Put them in a leech bag and toss them in the toilet tank. Fresh water every flush!

    I put some rocks/gravel in the bottom of a bucket and put them in the beer fridge. Change the water once a week and make sure to pull the dead ones.

    big_g
    Isle, MN
    Posts: 23135
    July 16, 2013 at 1:03 am #1183710

    oh yeah, very important, pull the dead ones. (btw, got a beer/bait fridge in the shack now Jon)

    mar-80
    Chippewa Falls, WI
    Posts: 250
    July 16, 2013 at 2:04 pm #1183765

    Has anybody ever used leach bedding? It’s from frabill and is similar to the worm bedding but wetter. I saw an advertisement awhile back and wondered how well it worked.

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    July 16, 2013 at 2:10 pm #1183770

    The leech bedding works great!

    -J.

    mar-80
    Chippewa Falls, WI
    Posts: 250
    July 16, 2013 at 2:17 pm #1183772

    Quote:

    The leech bedding works great!

    -J.

    That’s good to hear. Thanks

    crossin_eyes
    Lakeville, MN
    Posts: 1385
    July 16, 2013 at 3:08 pm #1183791

    The other thing to keep in mind is food. Leeches need it just like you. A slice of raw liver feeds a lot of leeches for a long time. I’ve kept 1/2 pound alive in a gallon ice cream bucket the whole season changing the water once a week.

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