Tubifex tubifex

Tubifex tubifex

Tubifex tubifex (latin tubus of "tube" and fex " maker " ), German Common mud tube worm or Common Bach tube worm, is the longest known species of the genus Tubifex. Making it one of the aquatic annelids. Colloquially and in the aquarium is often simply speak of Tubifex, with either the type Tubifex tubifex or (usually) any species of the genus Tubifex is meant. Indeed, the commercially animals belong to often different Tubifex species.

Exterior Features

Tubifex tubifex is about 2.5 to 9 cm long, thin, reddish worm. Its color is due to the hemoglobin- containing body fluid that is transported in the blood vessel system. Tubifex species are found worldwide today.

Way of life

Tubifex tubifex and the related species usually live in the mud of standing and flowing, even heavily polluted waters and form mucus -lined mud tubes. The worm infected with the headboard up to half in the bottom of the water because the oxygen uptake occurs via the rectum ( Darmatmer ). Through the meandering movements oxygen is introduced, but they can also survive without oxygen for up to 48 hours, during which they gain the necessary energy via glycolysis. Tubifex feeds mostly on detritus and other organic substances decomposition. Because of its hemoglobin- rich blood, which provides for the red color, the worm can live in oxygen- poor waters.

As part of the water quality assessment, the species is considered as a bioindicator for heavy loading of water with organic substances.

Use in the aquarium

Tubifex tubifex and the related species are used by hobbyists as a living fish food and are available in pet stores. Since there is evidence that living Tubifex species can be carriers of disease ( Myxobolus cerebralis and Myxobolus cotti from the group of Myxozoa ), many aquarists feed them only in frozen or freeze-dried version.

Use in ecotoxicology

Tubifex tubifex is occasionally used as ecotoxicological test organism for testing of toxic substances from water sediments. Although the animals are considered relatively robust to adverse effects but are still suitable test organisms: With heavy loads, they tend to avoid the sediment and tend to autotomy ( self-division of the individuals by separation of segments ). With already significantly lower concentrations of the worm reduces its grave activity, this can be used as a sensitive indicator of the toxic effect of sediment.