View Full Version : Tubes/Tubifex Worms
Cloud-9
06-03-2003, 1:40 PM
Sometimes I notice these long, slender, tube-like brown material on the bottom of the filter base and the glass bottom of the tank. This usually happens in my quarantine tank when I add a medication for parasites. I have yet to scrape one to see what's inside, but I suspect tiny worms. They're probably building these tubes to get away from the medication. My question is, are these what are normally called "tubifex" worms?
OrionGirl
06-03-2003, 1:50 PM
Hard to say (at least, for me!) There are 2 kinds of tubifex worms, and to the best of my knowledge, neither is parasitic. They can be a carrier of fish parasites, though, such as whirling disease in trout. Tubifex would have to be introduced into the tank, though--they wouldn't come in on fish. The tubes are not tubifex--these guys are segmented, and don't build tubes or shells. They just live in the sludge and mud.
Are the tubes hollow? How big are they? Do they show up only when there are fish in your q-tank?
Cloud-9
06-03-2003, 1:56 PM
The reason may be partly due to the fact that I used to keep live Elodea in the quarantine tank. These organisms probably hitched a ride on the plants. No, I don't think they come from the fish. Although that's not impossible. After all, the fish in the tank are normally straight from the dealer. They don't seem to affect the fish at all. But, whenever there are fish waste on the bottom, they seem to multiply.
OrionGirl
06-03-2003, 2:54 PM
If they have survived without any substrate, preferably a muddy one, they are not tubifex. Do any of your q-fish eat them? Tubifex would be snapped up by just about any fish.
Got any pics? Or make comparisons to this info: http://lakes.chebucto.org/ZOOBENTH/BENTHOS/xxv.html from wetmanNY's site.
Cloud-9
06-03-2003, 3:49 PM
No, OG. The fish do not eat them. I believe they're too small for the fishes to see. It is true there is no substrate on the tank, but from time to time, there will be a small amount of detritus like fish waste, etc.
Probably case building midge larvae. They’ll construct tubes with whatever is available.
Tom
Dragon_Lord_Tia
06-05-2003, 2:56 AM
wel tubifex works can stay alive in the fishes stomach and become a paracite if feed alive thats why i dont sell them at my shop(live that is)but other then that i dont know.