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tubifex

(to̵̅o̅′bə feks′, tyo̵̅o̅′-)

any of a genus (Tubifex) of small, reddish, freshwater, oligochaete worms, often living in chimneylike tubes: found esp. in polluted waters and often used as food for aquarium fish

Origin: ModL < L tubus, tube + -fex < facere, to make, do

See tubifex in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. tubifex tubifex or tu·bi·fex·es

Any of various small slender reddish freshwater worms of the genus Tubifex, often used as food for tropical aquarium fish.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin Tubifex, genus name

Origin: : Latin tubus, tube

Origin: + Latin -fex, maker; see dhē- in Indo-European roots

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