sludge worm

annelid

Also known as: Tubifex

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

Quick Summary

The term "sludge worm" refers to certain bright red, segmented, aquatic worms belonging to the phylum Annelida. These worms are found in freshwater environments and belong to the genus Tubifex, within the class Oligochaeta. Sludge worms are commonly used as food for tropical fish. Annelids, as a phylum, are invertebrates characterized by a body cavity, movable bristles (setae), and segmented bodies. This phylum includes marine worms (Polychaeta), earthworms (Oligochaeta), and leeches (Hirudinea).12

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annelid
Annotated classification
…of genera: Nais, Tubifex (sludge worm). Class Hirudinea (leeches) Primarily freshwater, but also terrestrial and marine forms; small sucker at anterior end, large sucker at posterior end; fixed number of body segments at 34; body cavity filled with connective tissue; hermaphroditic, with fertilized eggs laid in a cocoon secreted…
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…of genera: Nais, Tubifex (sludge worm). Class Hirudinea (leeches) Primarily freshwater, but also terrestrial and marine forms; small sucker at anterior end, large sucker at posterior end; fixed number of body segments at 34; body cavity filled with connective tissue; hermaphroditic, with fertilized eggs laid in a cocoon secreted…
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bloodworm
…genus Tubifex, also known as sludge worms (class Oligochaeta, family Tubificidae), which are used as a tropical-fish food. The marine proboscis worm Glycera (class Polychaeta, family Glyceridae) is sometimes called bloodworm. G. dibranchiata is found along the eastern coast of North America. It grows to 37 centimetres (about 15 inches)…
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…genus Tubifex, also known as sludge worms (class Oligochaeta, family Tubificidae), which are used as a tropical-fish food. The marine proboscis worm Glycera (class Polychaeta, family Glyceridae) is sometimes called bloodworm. G. dibranchiata is found along the eastern coast of North America. It grows to 37 centimetres (about 15 inches)…
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annelid
Importance
The sludge worm Tubifex, abundant near sewer outlets and thus an indicator of water pollution, is collected and sold as food for tropical fish. Polychaetes play an important role in turning over sediment on the ocean bottom.
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The sludge worm Tubifex, abundant near sewer outlets and thus an indicator of water pollution, is collected and sold as food for tropical fish. Polychaetes play an important role in turning over sediment on the ocean bottom.
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indicator species
Tubifex worms indicate oxygen-poor and stagnant water unfit to drink. The presence of certain species of plants suggests how well other species might grow in the same place.
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Tubifex worms indicate oxygen-poor and stagnant water unfit to drink. The presence of certain species of plants suggests how well other species might grow in the same place.
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