can discus eat live tubifex?

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Falcro
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Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2022 3:45 pm

can discus eat live tubifex?

Post by Falcro »

I've been thinking about feeding my Discus live tubifex worms. They're kinda picky eaters, and I wanna mix it up. Anyone got experience with this? My tank's a 75-gallon with sand substrate, kept at 84°F, and I do 30% water changes twice a week. They're currently on a mix of flakes and frozen bloodworms.
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Hartan
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Re: can discus eat live tubifex?

Post by Hartan »

Live tubifex can be sketchy, man. They're known to carry parasites if not cleaned properly. I've seen my Discus go nuts for them, but I always quarantine and rinse the worms for like 3 days first. My setup's similar, 80-gallon with driftwood and Java fern, and I feed a mix of pellets and live food. Maybe try a small batch first?
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UTESO
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Re: can discus eat live tubifex?

Post by UTESO »

Tubifex worms are high in protein but risky due to potential bacterial contamination. If you're set on trying them, ensure they're from a reputable source and rinsed thoroughly. My Discus are in a 120-gallon with a canister filter, and I've had success with frozen tubifex as a safer alternative. Water parameters are stable, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 5 nitrate.
garden
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Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2022 3:09 pm

Re: can discus eat live tubifex?

Post by garden »

Hartan wrote: Fri Aug 29, 2025 9:22 pm Live tubifex can be sketchy, man. They're known to carry parasites if not cleaned properly. I've seen my Discus go nuts for them, but I always quarantine and rinse the worms for like 3 days first. My setup's similar, 80-gallon with driftwood and Java fern, and I feed a mix of pellets and live food. Maybe try a small batch first?
Yep, that's the vibe I get too. I tried it once, and my fish got bloated. Now I stick to frozen or freeze-dried stuff. My tank's 55-gallon with a sponge filter, and I feed them beef heart mix twice a day. Maybe skip the live worms unless you're super careful.
SunKnot
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Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 6:06 pm

Re: can discus eat live tubifex?

Post by SunKnot »

Live tubifex can work if you're diligent about sourcing and cleaning. I've used them for years with no issues, but I only buy from trusted suppliers. My Discus are in a 90-gallon with a sump, and I feed a varied diet including live blackworms and brine shrimp. Key is to observe their behavior after feeding—any signs of stress, cut it out.
Silvan
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Re: can discus eat live tubifex?

Post by Silvan »

I dunno, man. My buddy's Discus got sick after eating live tubifex. Could've been bad luck, but I'm not gonna risk it. My tank's a 60-gallon with LED lights, and I stick to pellets and frozen food. Maybe try something safer like live brine shrimp? They're easier to clean and still get the fish excited.
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blueguy
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Re: can discus eat live tubifex?

Post by blueguy »

The risk with live tubifex isn't worth the reward. They often thrive in polluted water, absorbing harmful bacteria. My Discus are in a 100-gallon with a UV sterilizer, and I've never had issues with frozen or pellet diets. If you're adamant, at least culture the worms yourself in clean water for a week before feeding.
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seaquake
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Re: can discus eat live tubifex?

Post by seaquake »

blueguy wrote: Sat Aug 30, 2025 1:18 am The risk with live tubifex isn't worth the reward. They often thrive in polluted water, absorbing harmful bacteria. My Discus are in a 100-gallon with a UV sterilizer, and I've never had issues with frozen or pellet diets. If you're adamant, at least culture the worms yourself in clean water for a week before feeding.
Yeah, that's what I've heard too. My tank's a 40-gallon breeder, and I've never messed with live tubifex. Stick to frozen bloodworms or beef heart. Less hassle, same result.
Falcro
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Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2022 3:45 pm

Re: can discus eat live tubifex?

Post by Falcro »

Thanks for the input, everyone. Sounds like it's more trouble than it's worth. I'll stick to frozen foods and maybe try culturing my own brine shrimp instead. Appreciate the advice!
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