Unknown algae-like thing...

[leifus]

I wasn't sure where to put this because I'm not sure if it's an alga or some sort of animal-type-thing...

It was growing in a rut along a woodland track. My friend tried taking a sample but it recoiled and almost disappeared. The tadpoles don't seem to mind it at all and looks like an infestation of some sort of nematode...



any help much appreciated

[ceterach]

Hi Leifus

Looks like Tubifex worms to me. Not many species of alga recoil!!

[leifus]

thanks John - are they harmful or dangerous to life in a wood?

probably not but its worth checking

and are they common?

[ron1863]

Originally Posted by ceterach

Hi Leifus

Looks like Tubifex worms to me. Not many species of alga recoil!!

I agree, they are the spitting image of the little worms you can buy in tropical fish shops

[ceterach]

Originally Posted by leifus

thanks John - are they harmful or dangerous to life in a wood?

probably not but its worth checking

and are they common?

Leifus

As Ron says any one who has kept tropical fish would recognise them. They certainly won't do any harm and I know that once tadpoles become carnivorous they feed on them. A quick look:Tubifex tubifex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[leifus]

Originally Posted by ceterach

Leifus

As Ron says any one who has kept tropical fish would recognise them. They certainly won't do any harm and I know that once tadpoles become carnivorous they feed on them. A quick look:Tubifex tubifex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

thanks I did google them but wasnt sure because there was something about whirlwind disease that affected fish...

[Lancashire Lad]

They may well be ok for tadpoles, amphibians and hardy pond fish, but I wouldn't recommend feeding them to your tropical fish without putting them through a thorough cleaning process.

Tubifex generally live in polluted waters, and are noted for carrying all sorts of bacteria etc.etc. that can and does affect tropical fish.

If you've ever bought them from an aquarist, they would invariably have been kept in a sink of slowly running tap water. Not just because they do prefer moving water, but in order to allow the flushing out of some of the detritus from their gut.

I always treat these as a last resort in terms of live food. Daphnia, Bloodworms, Glassworms, & Mosquito Larvae being generally much cleaner & safer for your fish to eat..

Regards
Mike.