Worms in tank/water quality

[shanda]

I was wondering if it is bad to allow uneaten worms which are still alive to live in the tank with the axies. They eventually get eaten by the end of the week, as the axies seem to love digging in the sand with their noses to find them. The worms i use are the small fine red ones. Not sure what they are called. Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ian]

Shanda,the worms sound like Tubifex which will burrow into the sand.There is no problem as long as they are eaten within a few days and do not die.Keep an eye on the ammonia levels in your tank if it starts to rise you could have dead worms decomposing in your sand.

 

[karen]

Sound like bloodworm too ? Mine go furry if left for a few hours after dying !

 

[sharn]

sounds like bloodworms to me too. are they approx 1mm thick and 1.5cm long or so? (varies in size of course depending on brand etc)

if they are still alive in your tank they will be ok, if they die however they can start to foul your water pretty quick and i would try remove all that you can that have got away after a few hours.

 

[shanda]

Thanks everyone. I have had worms breeding and living and being eaten in my tank for 3 weeks now and my amonia levels are great. The axies have food at the ready, and are quite happy. I stir up the sand before i do a bottom suction and seem to get any dead ones, although there never seems to be all that many. The worms seem to eat any left over pellet food as well which is great. Oh and they do burrow, but stick their heads out the sand. My smallest axie has put on a lot of weight in 3 weeks, from eating the worms i guess, and pellets twice a week..

 

[ian]

If the worms have been living in your tank for three weeks they aint blood worms as they would be flying around by now,almost certainly tubifex.

 

[sharn]

i thought tubifex grew in real nasty waters? does australia have tubifex worms and where do they come from? im not too up on tubifex lol.

could the be blackworms by any chance? i know they sometimes get sold as bloodworms...

 

[ian]

Tubifex tend to live in sewage infested mud and i myself wouldn't use them.But they are still sold as food for fish,amphibians etc having first been rinsed in running water for some time.People tend not to use them for fear of introducing harmful bacteria.To be honest i don't know of their availability in Australia.The description small FINE red ones that burrow in the sand and stay alive for three weeks(even breeding) seemed to point towards tubifex as blood worms would by this time be midges.

 

[sharn]

yeah, thats what i was thinking bout the disease stuff but your point about bloodworms becoming midges is a valid one...

you couldnt get a pic by any chance could ya shanda?

 

[shanda]

Hy guys, I spoke to the pet shop and they are black worms. i will take a photo of them when i buy the next batch, as we have switched to frozen bloodworms for a change in diet for the axies. Don;t want them to get bored witht heir food. Thanks for all the input, stay posted for the photos. Should have one in a couple of days.