Tubifex Worms

[Sye]

I bought some Tubifex Worms today instead of bloodworms, but my fish dont seem to keen on them...is there anything you have to do with them before you put them in the tank?

 

[jonall]

I bought a tub of Tubifex Worms a few days ago too, My fiancee got an Angel for xmas and it did not seem to keen on some of the other foods we had. At first noone seemed interested while it was in cube form, Once it broke up with a little help the fish started taking some interest in it. Actually most of them loved it especially the Angel.

I now use a cup and take some water out of the tank, let the cube soak for around 5 minutes then am able to break it up, once its all broken up into strands and small pieces I just pour the cup back into the tank.

 

[Sinuhe]

I bought some Tubifex Worms today instead of bloodworms, but my fish dont seem to keen on them...is there anything you have to do with them before you put them in the tank?

Is this live, frozen, of freeze dried worms? What type of fish do you have in the tank?

 

[Eelzor]

Bloodworms have more of a smell, so the fish recognise and like it that way. I am not sure on tubifex though. I used to feed my cichlids live tubifex but they didn't like it much.

 

[Sye]

Dried, they come in cubes(about a cm squared) out of a tub. I have 2 tanks, one with all livebearers they seem to like them but take ages for them to break the cube up. The other tank has Angels, Clown Loaches, Serpae Tetras, Redeye Tetra, Neon Tetras, a Dwarf Gouramie & a Kissing Gouramie.

 

[Sinuhe]

When I give my fish dried Tubifex, I break it to small pieces before giving it. A whole cube would be too much at once, anyway.

 

[AquaNut]

You've already heard a couple of good suggestions that I find work well. You can soak them in water before adding them so they are individual worms in the water, or you can break the cube into little pieces and drop them in (my oscar likes to take pieces from my fingers). Another thing I find works well with the tubifex cubes is if you press one against the front glass of the tank. It will stick there until it has become rehydrated enough to break apart. Livebearers, tetras, barbs, and angels all seem to enjoy tearing pieces off, and they will watch you sticking it to the glass, so will know it's there immediately.