Tubifex Worm

Tubifex worm (in Indonesia called as Cacing Sutra) also called by sludge worm, or sewage worm, is a species of tubificidsegmented worm that inhabits the the sediments of lakesand, rivers and occasionally sewer lines. This worm can also survive in areas heavily polluted with organic matter that almost no other species can endure. Tubifex worm also can survive drought and food shortage.

Tubifex worms feed on decaying organic matter, detritus, and vegetable matter which commonly available in segment drains.

Tubifex worms are hermaphroditic, each individual has both male and female organs in the same animals. The minute reproductive organs are attached to the ventral side of the body wall in the colony, cavity. In mature specimens, the reproductive organs are clearly found on the ventral side of the body. Even they have male and female organ but mature of both gender at different times, thus self fertilization is avoided. Fertilized eggs form in the cocoon, and undergo complete development in the using the case's albuminousnutritive fluid for growth. The period of development varies with temperature and lasts for two to three weeks. After complete development, the young worms emerge.

Tubifex worms are often used as a live food of fish, especially tropical fish and certain other freshwater species. They have been a popular food for the aquarium trade almost since its inception, and gathering them from open sewers for this purpose was quite common until recently.

Using these worms as a live food has come with certain problems over the years. When harvested from severs, open bodies of water, and even from hatcheries, they may be infected with various diseases. This risk can be partially solved by keeping the worms under brisk running water until they have voided the content of their digestive systems.