I said "excess" terrestrial soil, which can potentially affect water chemistry
and introduce toxicants. (I don't culture my earthworms, but get them from the
backyard, in the middle of Baltimore City, where they are exposed to who knows
what). The decomposition of organic materials in the soil may also affect the
ammonia levels of small, unfiltered aquaria.
There's probably no big harm in letting the earth stay in the worm. (In fact,
soil bacteria may aid fish digestion.) And as I said, removing the soil does
make the worm easier to slice.
Some people, though, are really anal about what substances enter their
fishtanks, and prefer as "clean" a worm as possible.
As Bruce Stallsmith says, your mileage may vary.
Chris
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