Worms

Research worms: http://www.nytimes.com/1995/03/28/science/it-s-natives-vs-newcomers-down-in-the-worm-world.html?pagewanted=all http://www.sfgate.com/homeandgarden/thedirt/article/Native-worms-outnumbered-by-worldly-brethren-3410820.php https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/earthworms-can-these-gardeners-friends-actually-become-foes

Try to find and grow worms in an aquarium. Tubifex worms found in aquarium. Here is something about them: Annelids “Segmented Worms” - Including: DETRITUS WORMS media type="file" key="TubifexWormBloom11_2015.mp4" width="300" height="300" The annelids are the phylum of segmented worms which include earthworms. Most annelids are NOT purely aquatic in fresh water; the annelids found in freshwater are all oligochaetes (which means "few-bristled") and are not very important in the freshwater ecology as are their marine cousins, the polychaetes (which means "multi-bristled"). All the oligochaete worms are hermaphrodites (an organism that posses both male and female genitalia) and many are nearly microscopic.

Detritus Worms, Planaria, Oligochaetes, naidid, tubiflex Detritus Worms (from the group of worms called Oligochaetes, sub group naidid worms) are often misidentified in the aquarium hobby as Planaria without close inspection by many internet articles such as about.com.

Many of these worms are accidentally introduced by live plants, gravel (especially in the case of common Detritus Worms) live fish foods, and even brought in with fish transfers. (Click picture to enlarge)

Many not familiar with Detritus worms will label these as everything from midge larvae, Planaria, to baby earthworms, of which none is true. They are very common and most often seen during vacuuming and other cleaning procedures.

These worms generally are not a problem and often go un-noticed living in the gravel aiding in breakdown of wastes, however high numbers of particular species can indicate low oxygen levels, cloudy water, poor Redox and low filter productivity. This very often suggests some degree of pollution caused by poor cleaning procedures, over crowding, over feeding and poor filtration.

When the population explodes these worms often leave the gravel and cling to the sides, usually close to the surface as oxygen depletion due to the cumulative affects of increased organic mulm (often resulting with pH/KH drops, higher nitrates, poor Redox Balance), cloudy water and simply too many Detritus worms. This then drives them from the oxygen poor gravel where they normally hide/exist. It is when these worms are crawling up the sides that most aquarium keepers take note, often not realizing that these worms have been present for some time living quietly in the aquarium substrate before a population explosion and often subsequent oxygen depletion drives them into the open.

http://www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2007/03/trematodes-and-nematodes-in-fish.html

//**__Annelids__**// **__(Earthworms, leeches, tubifex, blackworms, whiteworms)__** Movement - Terrestrial //Annelid// worms are usually seen to move through contractions and expansions of their bodies. They have little strength to lift themselves off the ground. Aquatic //Annelids// use the same mechanisms for movement, but the effect is less pronounced. Extremities are often lifted off the ground. Aquatic species are more skilled at moving through their medium, whereas terrestrial species often roll around and writhe in confusion when placed in water. Species smaller than one millimeter are common, though shouldn't be seen in excessive numbers in the open or on the glass. http://www3.sympatico.ca/drosera1/fish/worms.htm Tubifex Information: http://www.realmonstrosities.com/2013/01/tubifex.html
 * Defining Characteristics** - Any worm with a long cylindrical body that is 'cut' by transverse rings is an //Annelid//. Microscopically, hairs can be seen, growing seperately from each body section.
 * Food** - Detritus.
 * Control** - Only manual removal or being eaten by a fish can be recommended.
 * Notes** - Unless deliberately added to an aquarium, large //Annelids// such as earthworms are rarely found in aquaria. Aquatic species can survive for quite some time in the gravel. Terrestrial species usually die within a day. Even a single larger dead worm can cause severe disruption to the water quality of the tank. Unless eaten, they should be immediately removed before they die or burrow into the ground. Their use as a fish food is acceptable as long the worms do not manage to escape into the substrate.

Composting with Worms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8miLevRI_o