BLOODWORM

any of certain bright red, segmented, aquatic worms of the phylum Annelida. Included are worms of the genus Tubifex, also known as sludge worms (class Oligochaeta, family Tubificidae), which are used as a tropical-fish food. The proboscis worm Glycera (class Polychaeta, family Glyceridae) is sometimes called bloodworm. G. dibranchiata is found along the eastern coast of North America. It grows to 37 centimetres (about 15 inches) in length. The bloodred aquatic larvae of some species of the midge Chironomus of the insect family Chironomidae are also called bloodworms.