Bristle worms

[AMGReefer]

I have been seeing alot of Bristle worms in my DT, is their anything that eats them, I know they can harm corals, how do I get rid of them?

Thanks.

 

[mrx66699]

Several species of Wrasses, Copperbanded Butterflyfish, Banded Coral Shrimp and Arrow Crabs are all suppose to eat bristleworms, but I doubt that they will eat the large ones which are the only ones to possibly be concerned about. Also be aware that when an animal, such as a clam dies, the bristle worms will frequently feed on the carcass as will any scavenger. Many people misunderstand that the worms are only scavenging and falsely assume that the worms killed the clam or other specimen.

 

[ReefWreak]

Yea, I've never heard of them being bad towards anything but an aquarist's hands. They're generally good scavengers.

 

[tiger_eyed1]

What is your definition of a lot? I estimate that I have around 1k in my tank, maybe more. What color are yours? Pink ok, Red bad.

The population will only grow if it has the available resources (food and a hospitable environment). Back in the day when I notice a elevated population, I monitored my feeding sessions to be sure the fish were eating all the food. I also increased flow at the sand bed to make sure any extra food/detrus stayed in the water column and went out the overflow. Over a few weeks I began to see them out during the day looking for food. This allowed me to remove the larger 4”-5”ones. How did I remove them? You’ll need Long rigid tube, long sewing needle, super glue. Siphon out once captured. I hardly ever see them now unless I look at the tank in the middle of the night.
I’m sure there are a few monsters in there, but they know who is boss.

 

[Linesider]

alina they sell a trap for them with the bait. Or u can get arrow head crab. i seen them tear 5''es before. Also hawkfish eat them as well as coris wrasse. i would try the arrow head would be the easiest to remove later..

 

[gkugelman]

We bought one of those bristle worm traps and it seems to work ok. Not a miracle cure by a long shot, though. The first night I tried it out, I put the trap in the tank, and within a couple of minutes, a bunch of worms had crawled into it. So I was pretty excited by the prospect of how many worms I could catch in an entire night. The next morning, I woke up, and the trap was empty! The had all climbed out! So, since I know they can escape, I only leave the trap in for a little while, then take it out, dump the worms out, and put the trap back in the tank.

 

[ReeferChris]

I would not worry if your tank has them, actually worry if it doesn't, lol. I've only gotten rid of the big ones, like 12 or more inches, actually have one now that i'll probably get rid of before i transfer to my new aquarium. Both of those have been the fire worms, have white in the middle and a red border, one of them ate my royal gamma. Now did it kill it or was it eating a dead fish who knows. I just dont like it when something that big is in my aquarium. However, leave the little ones, The way i see it a bunch of little ones do a better job than a few huge ones.