No introduction need be given to the value of tubifex worms as a live aquarium fish food.

The species of tubifex used by the Aquarium Industry is Limnodrilus udekemianus.

In it's natural habitat the tubifex has a bi-annual life cycle although the period of breeding is influenced by several environmental factors. Most adult tubifex die after breeding, others are able to re-absorb their reproductive organs and return to the immature condition. These individuals are then able to reproduce more than once in their life time

This brings us to the point of how can aquarium enthusiasts keep tubifex alive for a long time.

See the two diagrams below. Optimum water temperature 18^oC to 20^oC with the upper lethal temperature 35^oC and at 5^oC the tubifex become inactive.

Tubifex are very sensitive to chlorine.
 

Sit foam box containing an under gravel filter plate on top of a narrower bottom box. Place water in bottom box. Put a power head in the bottom box with tubing leading from the power head to a spray bar hanging on the top edge of the top box, which in turn fills up the top box to over flow holes and flows in to bottom box. Put tubifex on under gravel filter plates. KEY: A - SPRAY BAR B - UNDER GRAVEL PLATES C - TUBIFEX D - DRILL HOLES OVERFLOW E - TUBING F - POWER HEAD

Change water within first 24 hours and thereafter once a week. Air stone to be kept off the bottom. Otherwise tubifex will clump tightly around air stone cutting off air supply. A small piece of boiled potato, pumpkin can be added to water if tubifex are to be kept for any length of time. KEY: A - AIR SUPPLY B - AIRSTONE C - 1/2 LITRE TUBIFEX D - 5 LITRE ICE CREAM BUCKET E - AQUARIUM