How long will blackworms (tubifex) live in tank?

[jread]

I fed some live blackworms (a.k.a tubifex worms) to my dwarf puffers tonight and noticed some of them buried down into the substrate. I looked again later and noticed them crawling around in there, making tunnels, etc.

How long will they stay alive in my tank? Will they live until they're eaten?

 

[crimsontsavo]

I've had my red tubifex worms living in my substrate for about a year now. They make babies- get eaten-etc.

 

[my_fallen_angel]

They can live there for as long as they dont get eaten.
The ones that get away are always moving around in the botton until they poke their little heads up only to be eaten

 

[Dwarfs]

They may even help by moving the substrate around , or at least by moving through it . I've found them when breaking down tanks long after I the last time I can remember feeding them to my fish . I don't think they caused me any problems .

 

[jread]

That's great to hear!

Hopefully they'll establish themselves and my puffers will have a constant snack-supply

 

[Inchworm]

Hi jread

They live in gravel for a long time. Do remember, however, that they are living things and as such will use oxygen, etc.

When you siphon the bottom of your tank, they will come out. Once they are in the bucket, just swirl the water like a whirlpool and they will form a clump in the center. You can then net them out and feed them to your fish at the top of the tank again.

 

[Lateral Line]

>>> blackworms (a.k.a tubifex worms)

Tubifex worms are not the same as black worms.

 

[crimsontsavo]

LL- I was wondering about that.

They are tubifLex- right? (the blacks) Insects confuse me.

 

[jread]

I thought they were the same thing?

They're definitely not insects, though

 

[crimsontsavo]

I call any slimy/wiggly/inching thang an Insect.

No tubifex and tubilex worms arent the same.





Tubifex

Tubifex/Tubiflex/Bloodworms

Now the confusion: Tubifex worms come in a variety of colors. The common ones are either red or black.... hense the names "blood worms" (Different from the midge fly larvae), black worms, or tubifex (technically "black worms" are a different species, but for purposes of this discussion, they will be lumped together with tubifex).

HTH's!

Oh yeah-

Tubes ARE safe fish food. They have to be raised in a clean enviroment though.

 

[Dwarfs]

>>> blackworms (a.k.a tubifex worms)

Tubifex worms are not the same as black worms.

That is correct , but they both grow in really disgusting places , smelly disgusting places . 1 shop owner told me black worms were a little less disgusting . Any thoughts on that ? I hope I spelled disgusting right . After using so many times " filthy disgusting places " but sometimes I still feed-um

 

[Dwarfs]

I call any slimy/wiggly/inching thang an Insect.

No tubifex and tubilex worms arent the same.





Tubifex

Tubifex/Tubiflex/Bloodworms

Now the confusion: Tubifex worms come in a variety of colors. The common ones are either red or black.... hense the names "blood worms" (Different from the midge fly larvae), black worms, or tubifex (technically "black worms" are a different species, but for purposes of this discussion, they will be lumped together with tubifex).

HTH's!

Oh yeah-

Tubes ARE safe fish food. They have to be raised in a clean enviroment though.

" like in the gravel bed of an aquarium "