Keeping Jumbo Leeches in Good Condition

[Fish'n guy]

I have been keeping leeches hear at my home for years but it seems that if I don't use them within a week or two they get considerably smaller fast!! I have tried feeding them with chunks of meat but this doesn't seem to work, or I may not be doing it the correct way.

How could I keep them in good condition (large) for a extended period of time? Any suggestions will be appreciated!!!THANKS!!!

GOOD FISHIN!!!!!!!

[The Grebe]

Now this is just a suggestion, a thought, I don't even know if it would work, but if you keep them colder, it should slow the metabolism and they won't use themselves up so quick?

Got an old refridgerator you could use? Got any cold spring water that you could keep them in? Maybe submerge your leech bucket in a nearby creek?

I'm just guessing, they never live long enough to get skinny on my watch! But I do keep containers in the fridge sometimes, as do the bait dealers, and they don't seem to shrink?

[river-rat4]

Fish'n guy-

Keep them COOL-COOL-COOL!!!

I don't know about the size getting smaller issue, but when the water warms they start there reproductive cycle and soon get lathargic/less active, don't swim on the hook and soon die.

Good luck with your Size issue!

Brandt

[1DIRTBALL]

Don't start laughing because this does really work. Put your leeches in a mesh bag and put them in the toilet tank. Every time you flush...Voila'...fresh cold water. You might want to keep it a secret from your wife or SO for obvious reasons. 1DIRTBALL

[Dave]

What if you use those blue tablets? Do you get blue leeches Hey, this may be the million dollar idea huh.

[196thDLR]

Fish'n guy: Buy an old refridgator for the garage or basement and keep your prize leeches in a pail in bulk. Keep the temp at 36 degrees and change the water once a week. The temp is critical to the leeches surviveability. Warmer than that they seem to be too active and loose weight, or if too warm they will go into their reproductive cycle and die. Colder than 36 degrees and the leeches seem to freeze. This temp will keep the leeches dormant and they stay in good condition and if you feel the need to feed them; take the pail out, throw in three or four fish heads overnight. That is assuming I have had a successful day on the water. Otherwise, liver or kidneys do just as well. Change your water the next morning and you are good to go. Hope this helps.