Too much tubifex is bad

[Foo Hong]

I did an experiment on a spawn that at 1 month old was not showing any potential. Deliberately fed them only tubifex. Many developed bladder problem and became bouyant, float sideways, had bloated stomach which didnt go away. Possibly too much fat content and lack of certain essential minerals/vitamins not found in Tubifex contributing to this? Perhaps Dr Hsu can enlighten.

[Jung]

Could it be overfeeding, rather than the nutritional content of the worms?

[Dr Hsu]

I also have spawns that turn out badly when fed lots of tubifex but I, like Jung, think that it is likely due to poor water condition mainly due to overfeeding and large spawn size for the water volume. Have other spawns fed the same way but smaller in size and have sponge filter and are OK.

Regards,

Li Chieh

[imported_n/a]

Hi
Most of my fish diet is mainly tubifex. So I think it is quit ok but I have try with few spawns that only feed on blood worm tend to grow bigger than those on tubifex. Maybe blood worm more expensive laa!

[Chris Yew]

No matter what worms, as long as the bettas eat without falling sick or die, are good worms. <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> Tubifex or bloodworms, if overfed definitely will cause problem to the bettas. Tried both, but still prefer tubifex.

Chris Yew
http://bettasonli.netfirms.com

[Foo Hong]

BTW the best way I found to clean tubifex is to put under dripping tap overnight... the smell will be gone if you noticed it as the worms regurgitate all their ballast.

[imported_n/a]

read from somewhere that daphnia is good for clearing fish digestive problems like bloated tummy.

[Foo Hong]

Tubifex is fatty, daphnia is high fibre.

Agree?

[Dr Hsu]

Agreed!
As Samuel has independently found out - bettas fed pretty much exclusively on tubifex tend to have largish, roundish tummies, especially females. This can't be good - either too fat or have intestinal worms!
Preference is for bloodworms, but does anyone know a good way to clean them???
Also does anyone know if Hikari frozen bloodworms are back to small size?

Regards,

Li Chieh

[Jung]

Dr LC,

If you buy Hikari, don't think you need to clean...unless you suey enough to buy from pet shop who refrosted defrosted prefrosted worms, then no amount of washing can save you... me don't support feeding live worms...not worth the risks...

Dunno about size of bloodworms...cos I buy in boxes to save myself the trips and to ensure they stay frosted till I reach home...so last I bought was 6 months back...

[Dr Hsu]

Sorry, didn't make it clear....

How to clean live bloodworms?

Frozen I don't do anything but defrost.

I also get them by the box but I understand the last batch imported was like the Qian Hu ones - giant size - just right for small lou han but a bit too big for young bettas. So, hope to find out before I buy a whole box of the large size ones!


Regards,

Li Chieh

[Foo Hong]

The last batch from Lam Hong I bought were huge Bloodworms. Young fishes cant eat, got to use a bloody knife to shave the ice cube slowly. fed up...fed all to my 3 terrapins <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>

[Dr Hsu]

Just got a new box. The new shipment is back to the small size bloodworms. Apparently the whole container sold out in 1 day! Must be those perpetually hungry Lou Hans!

Regards,

Li Chieh

[Foo Hong]

Just to revive this thread again and talk more on tubifex cleaning.

I find it best [if you have the time to spare] to buy tubifex ins maller amounts which will finish using in 1 or 2 days at most. That excludes the 1/4 to 1/2 day which wou will need to put it under a dripping tap to clean out. I think the prolong contact with chlorine in our tap water after 2 days result in the tubifex starting to die off from there. One will notice even in dripping water, dead worms accumulate in the bottom....and they smell! <img src=icon_smile_dissapprove.gif border=0 align=middle>