Bristle worms Good or Bad

[woodworker1959]

I am in the process of setting up a 120 and have gotten some live rock from a LIRa member who got out of the hobby. I feel the rock is of very good quality, covered with coraline, alot of mushrooms and some Zoo's. Even though the rock was in a tank for two year I have been cycling it the last few weeks. This evening after the lights went out I stood around the tank for afew minutes and was amazed at how many bristle worms came out of the rock. I would say their were a few dozen. I have head mixed comments about bristle worms, some saying to get them out of the tank and others saying that they weren't a problem.

I plan on setting the tank up for SPS after I get everything setup and stable. The question is has anyone else had a similar occurance and if so was it a problem. If a problem what is the best way to remove. Them are fairly long and never totally leave the rock so if I used tweesers to remove I think I would leave part of them still in the rock. You imput is appreciated.

 

[Sk8r]

I used to live in the south, where we had a bristleworm from the Caribbean that was bad news---I think I've only heard of one person having problems with this kind recently. The bristleworms from the Pacific are useful---they'll still sting you if you touch them, but they actually do helpful cleaning around the corals, where most things can't reach. First time I saw one of the big ones come out of my live rock you about had to peel me off the ceiling---given my past experience with their little southern cousins---but no, they're probably the beneficial kind, and you will be glad you have them.

 

[DgenR8]

The VAST majority of bristle worms that make it to our tanks are harmless, actually beneficial scavengers. Your biggest worry is that you will accidently touch one, and get the bristles stuck in your skin. This is pretty uncomfortable, but a little Duct tape, and they are gone.
Don't fear the bristle worm.

 

[pyro383]

A six line wrasse will finish off the small ones. I had alot of them (75+) and now I see 3 or 4 since adding the 6 line.

 

[woodworker1959]

Bristleworm

Bristleworm

Thanks everyone, The Six line is one of my planed fish. Many of the worms appear to be 5 or so inches long. As long as they aren't a threat to Coral. I don't go into the tank without gloves up to the shoulder (afraid of contaminates) so hopefully won't have to worry about being stuck. They are actually pretty cool though.

 

[eboonaman]

Nice Flounder bait :lol: if you can find them, Flounder that is...