tubifex worms in gravel

[Jen]

I have what I think are tubifex worms in the gravel. I'm wondering, are
these a bad thing? Do they actually pollute the water? Is it a sign that
the tank isn't clean enough? What do they eat? How would you normally
culture them?

Or are they a good thing? Do they aerate the gravel, and make it better?
Are they useful for fish to snack on anytime this way?


Please help.



Jen

[Sysiphus]

Merry Christmas Jen!

Wish I had alot to say on this matter, but if they are tubiflex worms your
gravel must be VERY VERY dirty. Tubiflex are often called "Sludge Worms".
I have raised them but don't anymore - it is a very dirty job. I would
guess your NitrAtes are off the scale if you have tubiflex. It may be
likely these are Hydra. These relatives of the jellyfish grow to 3/4 inches
in length and are difficult to eradicate. They cling to plants and the sides
of containers They may be pink, green, gray or transparent depending upon
the food source, but others may be able to better "guess the worm".


"Jen" > wrote in message
...
> I have what I think are tubifex worms in the gravel. I'm wondering, are
> these a bad thing? Do they actually pollute the water? Is it a sign that
> the tank isn't clean enough? What do they eat? How would you normally
> culture them?
>
> Or are they a good thing? Do they aerate the gravel, and make it better?
> Are they useful for fish to snack on anytime this way?
>
>
> Please help.
>
>
>
> Jen
>
>

[Marco Schwarz]

Hi..

> I have what I think are tubifex worms in the gravel. I'm wondering, are
> these a bad thing?

Not really..

> Do they actually pollute the water?

Not really..

> Is it a sign that
> the tank isn't clean enough?

Not really.. Personally I come from a fish keeping tradition without
"vacuuming"..!

> What do they eat?

Organic waste - they are real mud worms..

> How would you normally
> culture them?

Culture them..? In a pond with mud-rich bottom..

A perfect but fat life food, just feed it 1-2 times a week - not more..


> Or are they a good thing?

More or less and finally an absolutely interesting "thing"..

> Do they aerate the gravel, and make it better?

Not really..

MTS were your friends I guess..

> Are they useful for fish to snack on anytime this way?

Absolutely..!

> Please help.

Don't worry be happy..! :-)

cu
Marco

[Jen]

"Sysiphus" > wrote in message
...
> Merry Christmas Jen!
>
> Wish I had alot to say on this matter, but if they are tubiflex worms your
> gravel must be VERY VERY dirty.

I was wondering that. It was pretty bad when I syphoned the sand.

Tubiflex are often called "Sludge Worms".
> I have raised them but don't anymore - it is a very dirty job. I would
> guess your NitrAtes are off the scale if you have tubiflex. It may be
> likely these are Hydra. These relatives of the jellyfish grow to 3/4
> inches
> in length and are difficult to eradicate. They cling to plants and the
> sides
> of containers They may be pink, green, gray or transparent depending upon
> the food source, but others may be able to better "guess the worm".

I think the pet shop sold them as "bloodworm", but looking them up, it seems
they're tubiflex.

I'm thinking of giving the goldfish away, and starting all over again with
tropical fish - I've heard they're cleaner. Maybe the undergravel filter is
adding to the problem. I've just been researching that too, and it seems
they're not always a good idea.

Merry xmas and thanks


Jen

[[email protected]]

I had Tubifex worms living in the gravel of one of my tanks and it
wasn't filthy.
They confined themselves to one corner of the tank- they like clumping
together.
My Jurapari and Discus enjoyed rooting around for them for a free
snack...

Chris

"Keep Chris in Christmas"

[Larry Blanchard]

wrote:

> I had Tubifex worms living in the gravel of one of my tanks and it
> wasn't filthy.
> They confined themselves to one corner of the tank- they like clumping
> together.

There has always been confusion between tubifex worms (Tubifex tubifex) and
California blackworms (Lumbriculus variegatus). A lot of folks say tubifex
worms are a disease carrier, while most agree that blackworms are a good
food.

I do know that blackworms exhibit the clumping behavior you mention - maybe
that's what you have.

BTW, "blackworms" aren't black. They're a reddish brown - at least the ones
for sale around here.





--
It's turtles, all the way down

[Marco Schwarz]

Hi..

> I do know that blackworms exhibit the clumping behavior you mention - maybe
> that's what you have.

Hmm.., while tubifex are used to show that clumping behaviour as far as
I remember so called blackworms are known to be "singles"..

> It's turtles, all the way down

I've absolutely no idea what it means but it sounds good..!

cu
Marco

[Jen]

"Jen" > wrote in message
...
>I have what I think are tubifex worms in the gravel. I'm wondering, are
>these a bad thing? Do they actually pollute the water? Is it a sign that
>the tank isn't clean enough? What do they eat? How would you normally
>culture them?
>
> Or are they a good thing? Do they aerate the gravel, and make it better?
> Are they useful for fish to snack on anytime this way?
>
>
> Please help.


Lots of varying opinions there.

Thanks


Jen

[Larry Blanchard]

Marco Schwarz wrote:

> Hi..
>
>> I do know that blackworms exhibit the clumping behavior you mention - maybe
>> that's what you have.
>
> Hmm.., while tubifex are used to show that clumping behaviour as far as
> I remember so called blackworms are known to be "singles"..
>

Do a Google image search on blackworms and tubifex. Here's an example:

http://www.caudata.org/cc/articles/worms.shtml

and another:

http://www.esg.montana.edu/aim/annelid/tubtub.html

--
It's turtles, all the way down

[Marco Schwarz]

Hi..

Thanks for the links. We've no blackworms here but red worms of the
family Tubificidae. So called tubifex. And these funny guys are
definitely clumping..

http://members.aol.com/gjobusch/

Well the text it's not in English but the headline does mean as much
as:

"Behavioural clumping analysis of tubifex"

BTW: The family Tubificidae enclose several red tubifex-like worm
species..

cu
Marco