Started mosquito larvae culture, but got more than I bargained for

[Starburst]

Hey everyone,

In an effort to collect mosquito larvae, I've discovered a ton of these small white worms (about 50 total throughout the container; video in link below), and I have a few questions:

1. What are they?

2. Are they dangerous?

3. Can fish eat them?

Video:

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Edit: in the video there are also these small black creatures floating at the surface. They move slightly when I take them out of the water. Could they possible be the next form of the white worms or different species entirely?

Edited May 9, 2023 by Starburst

[nabokovfan87]

@Biotope Biologist Any ideas? I don't think it's detritus worms or anything like that. It looks like it's going to develop into something.

 

[Biotope Biologist]

Certain crane fly larvae look like that when they first hatch. Mosquitoes are not the only ones who have aquatic larval stages. 
 

The popular fish food blood worms are a Midge larvae. The black also could be young mosquitoe larvae, stage 1. They are out of focus so I don’t know exactly.

 

There are always risks to collecting your own food. But I say fish quite enjoy them!

[Starburst]

On 5/9/2023 at 9:02 AM, Biotope Biologist said:

Certain crane fly larvae look like that when they first hatch. Mosquitoes are not the only ones who have aquatic larval stages. 
 

The popular fish food blood worms are a Midge larvae. The black also could be young mosquitoe larvae, stage 1. They are out of focus so I don’t know exactly.

 

There are always risks to collecting your own food. But I say fish quite enjoy them!

Thanks so much for your help!