The tubeworms (Tubificidae) are a family of the Oligochaeta worms like the sludge worm, including 48 genera and 179 species. They are widely distributed throughout the freshwater. They have reddish bodies, which are split into segments. The body wall of these worms is thin, you can see through in the animal's organs. Their main diet is organic humus, tubeworms can use benthic algae and bacteria as food. In life some tube worms involved both forms of parthenogenesis and sexual. Tubeworms are bisexual but they cross fertilization, cocoons often stick fast to substrate root plants or organic debris. Embryonic development in the cocoon lasts from 6 - 10 days, hatched worms are usually white, about 5 - 6mm in length. They grow rapidly, reaching adult size after 6 weeks.