Bristle worm out and about?

[theacox]

I have never seen a bristle worm act like this... Is there a reason a bristle worm would be wondering around my tank not hidden at all, even climbing glass?

 

[Misled]

Hungry????

 

[Shawn O]

No predators (nothing in the tank that will eat them)?

 

[theacox]

Shawn what would you recommend to eat them that is reef safe? And won't kill my clowns or mandarin goby or inverts. And yes probably hungry that was my guess because I'm changing my feeding habits to try and cut down on algae.

 

[kfisc]

The big ones seem to become more fearless as they grow; it can wind up being like a chapter from "Dune," if you've ever read it.

I'd also vote that your feeding habits may be making it work harder. I'd leave it alone entirely, they really hurt nothing, or ban it to your sump.

 

[Shawn O]

Shawn what would you recommend to eat them that is reef safe? And won't kill my clowns or mandarin goby or inverts. And yes probably hungry that was my guess because I'm changing my feeding habits to try and cut down on algae.

I've heard 6-line wrasses eat them. Not necessary since they are supposed to be somewhat beneficial, or at least not harmful.

 

[philosophile]

They usually come out and go all over at night.... But I don't think I've ever seen one climb like that!

 

[billdogg]

Most wrasses will eat them, but I vote for leave it be also. A benificial scavenger.

 

[Rob6311]

Bristle worm out and about?

Idk I'm really no expert on this but id say that if it gets any bigger id start getting worried that it's a fire worm

 

[theacox]

If it were a for worm how bad is that?

 

[theacox]

And I do just let them be I have a few in my rocks but they have never shown themselves during the day unless I'm feeding and definitely not just climbing glass.

 

[inetmug]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_KbY2-hV_4

fire worm is just nasty to the touch.

I have read that they self regulate their population based on food source.

 

[Indymann99]

The big ones seem to become more fearless as they grow; it can wind up being like a chapter from "Dune," if you've ever read it.

He is out searching for "spice"

 

[Sk8r]

You want him to thrive. Feed him regular fishfood. Never get rid of your worms. They cost a dollar apiece, no kidding.

 

[theacox]

Normally I fully trust you sk8r but to be honest that is not what I was expecting to hear lol

 

[rlm2005]

I've seen them out and about before in my tank. It's not usual behavior but it's happened.

 

[Big_Boss_77]

I've got a "Dune" sized bristle worm in my tank that wanders around during the day some times. Nothing really unusual, worm just has some brass in him, that's all lol

 

[bundybear1981]

I have dozens of them in my tank and even more in the sump, can see them crawling in the caulerpa in the sump.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I hated them at first. but now I am glad to see them ( when I do ). They are filling a niche in our little ecosystems and as mentioned above, are self regulating.