The genus ''Enchytraeus'' includes about 40 species of
annelid
The annelids (), also known as the segmented worms, are animals that comprise the phylum Annelida (; ). The phylum contains over 22,000 extant species, including ragworms, earthworms, and leeches. The species exist in and have adapted to vario ...
worms. The term
white worm is often used for all of the species in general, but specifically it is ''E. albidus'' which is named the white worm. This species is used as fish food by
aquarium
An aquarium (: aquariums or aquaria) is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic plants or animals are kept and displayed. fishkeeping, Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aquati ...
enthusiasts. ''E. buchholzi'' is known as the
Grindal worm
''Enchytraeus buchholzi'', Grindal worms, (described by FrantiĊĦek Vejdovsky in 1879) are enchytraeid oligochaete worms. They are found in temperate meadows and disturbed roadside verges. The scientific name probably covers a group of morphol ...
. It was named for the
Swedish fish breeder that first raised the worm to feed her fish.
Some species are terrestrial, some semi-aquatic, and others
marine. Some can be found in
brackish water
Brackish water, sometimes termed brack water, is water occurring in a natural environment that has more salinity than freshwater, but not as much as seawater. It may result from mixing seawater (salt water) and fresh water together, as in estuary ...
or on beaches. Several of these species lack sex organs and reproduce by fragmenting, notably ''E. fragmentosus'', which gets its name from this characteristic.
Species include:
*''
Enchytraeus albidus'' ("White worms")
*''
Enchytraeus buchholzi'' ("Grindal worms")
*''
Enchytraeus capitatus ''
*''
Enchytraeus citrinus''
*''
Enchytraeus fragmentosus
The genus ''Enchytraeus'' includes about 40 species of annelid worms. The term white worm is often used for all of the species in general, but specifically it is ''E. albidus'' which is named the white worm. This species is used as fish food by ...
''
*''
Enchytraeus japonensis''
*''
Enchytraeus kincaidi''
*''
Enchytraeus lacteus
The genus ''Enchytraeus'' includes about 40 species of Annelida, annelid worms. The term white worm is often used for all of the species in general, but specifically it is ''E. albidus'' which is named the white worm. This species is used as fish ...
''
*''
Enchytraeus liefdeensis
The genus ''Enchytraeus'' includes about 40 species of annelid worms. The term white worm is often used for all of the species in general, but specifically it is ''E. albidus'' which is named the white worm. This species is used as fish food by ...
''
*''
Enchytraeus minutus
The genus ''Enchytraeus'' includes about 40 species of annelid worms. The term white worm is often used for all of the species in general, but specifically it is ''E. albidus'' which is named the white worm. This species is used as fish food by ...
''
*''
Enchytraeus multiannulatoides
The genus ''Enchytraeus'' includes about 40 species of annelid worms. The term white worm is often used for all of the species in general, but specifically it is ''E. albidus'' which is named the white worm. This species is used as fish food by ...
''
*''
Enchytraeus multiannulatus
The genus ''Enchytraeus'' includes about 40 species of annelid worms. The term white worm is often used for all of the species in general, but specifically it is ''E. albidus'' which is named the white worm. This species is used as fish food by ...
''
*''
Enchytraeus rupus
The genus ''Enchytraeus'' includes about 40 species of annelid worms. The term white worm is often used for all of the species in general, but specifically it is ''E. albidus'' which is named the white worm. This species is used as fish food by ...
''
*''
Enchytraeus saxicola
The genus ''Enchytraeus'' includes about 40 species of annelid worms. The term white worm is often used for all of the species in general, but specifically it is ''E. albidus'' which is named the white worm. This species is used as fish food by ...
''
*''
Enchytraeus variatus''
External links
White Worm Devrim Memi et al. The Effect of Different Diets on the White Worm (Enchytraeus albidus Henle, 1837)Reproduction Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 4: 05-07 (2004)
{{Taxonbar, from=Q656096
Enchytraeidae