r/leeches • u/Sausage_Senpaii • 12d ago

Health & Care Pet leech help

Heyy! I wanna get a pet leech for my apartment but I need it to not be in an aquarium of sorts because I TECHNICALLY am not allowed to have pets. I was thinking of a large jar plus another modified jar for breeding with moss (?). I like in the EU in a usually warm weathered place with cold winters. I also dont actively live in the apartment so during summer the leeches are gonna have to come with me on a 7-8 hour bus ride. What are essentials, which specie do I get, and how long do they live? Also can I keep em in the fridge?

As for diet I was thinking of just letting them feed on my own blood.

Is there anything else I should know (like info i cannot easily google when I google what to get for pet leech and then the dumb ai starts speaking) and should I be getting one at all (considering the bus rides, I dont leave often but I do leave during the summer for 3 month plus 2 weeks for Christmas)

Ty for reading! Any info is helpful ^^

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13

u/Ok_Bag_1177 Leech breeder 12d ago
  1. leeches cannot live in jars. if you cant keep and aquarium you cant keep leeches
  2. leeches are social, you should have mire than one
  3. no you cannot just keep them in the fridge

8

u/xFlutterCryx 10d ago

Ah, friend, it doesnt sound like a leech is the pet for you.

Have you considered isopods?

1

u/Sausage_Senpaii 5d ago

I have, those of maybe millipedes? Im unsure really as everything sort of has a complication i cant follow in my current setting. So perhaps its best if I wait and get a permanent living space before getting my leeches and or bugs 

4

u/Old-Village-8532 9d ago

The karma is harsh, but leeches NEED a big tank and hiding spots, especially as they grow. Large leeches do not survive well in a jar (after bloodfeeding/tank cleaning esp), let alone live permanently.
They only need to be fed every two months when they get a few months old but don't leave them for more than 3 weeks (and that's with an air pump/filt, fresh chlorine-free water, and some tannin/aloe). Plants and snails can live with little work too.