quikv6 Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 I bought a package for Hikari Frozen Tubifex Worms at my LFS. I have never fed these yet, but went down a rabbit hole of reading how tubifex worms should not be fed to fish at any cost, as they are rampant with parasites. Hikari is reputable, but I obviously don't want to take the risk, if it indeed exists. Any thoughts? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 I don't think there is any risk, either for the fish or for you, the fish will eat them, but are they as beneficial as others say they are? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted May 12, 2021 Share Posted May 12, 2021 Freezing generally kills the kind of parasites one would be concerned about, I think it is more a live tubifex worm that is/was the concern. I have some fish that LOOVE them and some that couldn't care less about them. I tried them as an alternate to blood worms since I am allergic to those. They are defintely less universally appreciated than bloodworms, but being fed exclusively on one thing is never a good idea, so I chuck a cube in now and then as a treat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quikv6 Posted May 13, 2021 Author Share Posted May 13, 2021 Great....I'll give them a shot. I appreciate the insight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick_G Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 I’ve been feeding the for the little fish that can’t swallow a blood worm. I have great childhood memories of sticking a cube of dried Tubifex to the side of the tank and watching the feeding frenzy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenman Posted May 13, 2021 Share Posted May 13, 2021 I'd never seen frozen tubifex worms, just the freeze-dried, but a quick Google revealed that Hikari does indeed make them. They claim to triple sterilize them. (Radiation? Chemicals? Heat?) They claim that makes them safe from parasites. I might be more concerned about how the triple sterilization affects the nutritional value and integrity of the worms. I just use the freeze-dried and my fish love them and I've never had an issue with parasites or other problems with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beccs410 Posted May 16, 2021 Share Posted May 16, 2021 My Emerald Corydoras and my Colombian Zebra Pleco LOVE their tubifex worms. I use the same kind—the frozen Hikari. It’s fun to watch the corys slurp them up. They go crazy for them! I haven’t seen any ill effects after feeding them to my little fin babies for a month or so now. I feed them sparingly, more like a “cheat meal”, if you will, once a week 🙃 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now