Turbatrix aceti
Encyclopedia
Turbatrix aceti are free-living nematode
s that feed on the microbial culture, called mother of vinegar
used to create vinegar
, and may be found in unfiltered vinegar. Vinegar eels are often given to fry (baby fish
) as a live food, like microworms
.
Although they are harmless and non-parasitic, leaving eels in vinegar
is considered objectionable in the United States
and is not permitted in vinegar destined for American consumers. Manufacturers normally filter
and pasteurize their product prior to bottling, destroying the live bacterial and yeast culture that these nematodes require for sustenance.. They are usually about 2mm long and feed on the bacteria from apples.
Nematode
The nematodes or roundworms are the most diverse phylum of pseudocoelomates, and one of the most diverse of all animals. Nematode species are very difficult to distinguish; over 28,000 have been described, of which over 16,000 are parasitic. It has been estimated that the total number of nematode...
s that feed on the microbial culture, called mother of vinegar
Mother of vinegar
Mother of vinegar - also called Mycoderma aceti Mother of vinegar - also called Mycoderma aceti Mother of vinegar - also called Mycoderma aceti (a New Latin expression, from the Greek μὑκης (fungus) plus δἐρμα (skin), and the Latin aceti (of the acid) - is a substance composed of a form of...
used to create vinegar
Vinegar
Vinegar is a liquid substance consisting mainly of acetic acid and water, the acetic acid being produced through the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. Commercial vinegar is produced either by fast or slow fermentation processes. Slow methods generally are used with traditional...
, and may be found in unfiltered vinegar. Vinegar eels are often given to fry (baby fish
Fish
Fish are a paraphyletic group of organisms that consist of all gill-bearing aquatic vertebrate animals that lack limbs with digits. Included in this definition are the living hagfish, lampreys, and cartilaginous and bony fish, as well as various extinct related groups...
) as a live food, like microworms
Panagrellus redivivus
The free-living nematode Panagrellus redivivus is known to many aquarium enthusiasts and fishkeepers as the microworm. It is a tiny roundworm used as the first food for minuscule newly-hatched fish, such as the popular pet fish betta...
.
Although they are harmless and non-parasitic, leaving eels in vinegar
Vinegar
Vinegar is a liquid substance consisting mainly of acetic acid and water, the acetic acid being produced through the fermentation of ethanol by acetic acid bacteria. Commercial vinegar is produced either by fast or slow fermentation processes. Slow methods generally are used with traditional...
is considered objectionable in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and is not permitted in vinegar destined for American consumers. Manufacturers normally filter
Filter (water)
A water filter removes impurities from water by means of a fine physical barrier, a chemical process or a biological process. Filters cleanse water to various extents for irrigation, drinking water, aquariums, and swimming pools.-Methods of filtration:...
and pasteurize their product prior to bottling, destroying the live bacterial and yeast culture that these nematodes require for sustenance.. They are usually about 2mm long and feed on the bacteria from apples.