Medicinal leech sizes and weight classes
Suluk Sepeti sorts documented Hirudo verbana into five pre-shipment weight bands. The bands are stock-planning and invoicing units for institutional buyers — they are not treatment protocols and carry no clinical recommendation.
Disclaimer: Informational and commercial-context only. Not medical advice. Suluk Sepeti supplies documented animals; it does not perform or recommend hirudotherapy.
The five stock classes
| Class | Weight band | Indicative USD / pc | Typical stocking note |
|---|---|---|---|
| XS | 0.1 – 0.3 g | $1.50 | Smallest stock class; small-site and pilot lots. |
| S | 0.3 – 0.5 g | $2.06 | Most frequently requested class in institutional supply (“Doktor Boy” nickname in Türkiye). |
| M | 0.5 – 0.89 g | $2.44 | Mid-range band; often paired with S. |
| L | 0.90 – 2.0 g | $2.81 | Largest routine stock class before broodstock. |
| Broodstock | 2.0 g + | $4.88 | Mature animals for breeding programmes and research; not a routine stock item. |
Indicative references are ex-works USD unit values for international enquiries. Domestic Turkish Lira prices are published separately and remain unchanged. Permits, documentation, packaging and freight are quoted per destination — see the price guide.
How sorting works
- Rest and fasting. Animals allocated to a shipment are rested in conditioned water so that live weight reflects the animal, not recent feeding.
- Weighing and banding. Each animal is placed in one of the five bands. Borderline animals are placed in the lower band.
- Lot labelling. The sorted quantity per class is recorded against a batch code that appears on the shipment documents and can be checked on the batch verification page.
- Packaging. Classes are packed separately so the receiving unit can confirm quantities per band on arrival.
Minimum quantities
Domestic orders start at 20 pieces per class. For international shipments the minimum is driven by permit and cold-chain economics rather than a fixed number; pilot lots are possible and are priced in the quotation. Details: MOQ, lead time and payment.
Class pages
- XS medicinal leeches — Smallest stock class; small-site and pilot lots.
- S medicinal leeches — Most frequently requested class in institutional supply (“Doktor Boy” nickname in Türkiye).
- M medicinal leeches — Mid-range band; often paired with S.
- L medicinal leeches — Largest routine stock class before broodstock.
- Broodstock medicinal leeches — Mature animals for breeding programmes and research; not a routine stock item.
Frequently asked questions
How are weight classes measured?
Animals are weighed and sorted into bands during pre-shipment allocation at the aquaculture facility. Live weight varies with feeding state and water temperature, so a band is a sorting tolerance, not a laboratory specification.
Which class should a clinic order?
Suluk Sepeti does not advise on clinical selection. Product choice, number and application belong to the authorised practitioner under local regulation. We can describe how each band is typically stocked, not how it should be used.
Can classes be mixed in one order?
Yes. Specify quantities per class on the RFQ form, or choose “Mixed / TBD” and describe the intended split in the message field.
Is Broodstock sold routinely?
No. Broodstock (2.0 g+) is supplied on request for breeding programmes and research and is quoted case by case.
Related pages
- Price guide
- International orders
- MOQ, lead time & payment
- Live shipping & cold chain
- Storage & handling
- Batch verification
Informational and commercial-context content only; not medical advice. Suluk Sepeti does not perform hirudotherapy. Product selection and treatment planning belong to authorised practitioners.