Bristle Worms

[bladeruner143]

I found some Worms that are Dark Pink, almost red with white bristles. I tried to take a picture of them, but my camera just isnt good enough. Ive been reading about them and some people are saying they are good, some say they are bad. Are they good or bad? If they are bad, how do I get them out of my tank? Are there any kinds of fish that eat them? Thanks guys!

 

[yoboyjdizz]

Most likely they are good, there is bad ones but rarely do they ever make it in our tanks. There free cleanup crew. If you have way to many then that means you are over feeding. They sound like the harmless kind. If you got really big ones then they could get creepy looking. Im sure you can use traps with food in it over night but you might catch stuff you don't want to like crabs or snails.

 

[shiveley]

+1 on bristle worms being a beneficial part of your CUC (just don't try to handle them, those bristles are a bit pokey).They're pretty good are cleaning up areas of detritus that other animals have problems reaching.

 

[bladeruner143]

Ok, good! I don't think there are too many so that is also a good thing. I just saw one in the tank and I thought they were bad so I freaked out! They aren't too big now, but I will keep a close eye on them . . . if I ever see them again!

 

[MrMikeB]

They are sometimes called fireworms, and yes the name should give you an idea on why you don't want to handle them directly.

I find them sometimes in the substrate, but most commonly deep in the live rock. They like to live in the holes of the live rock, and if you ever have broken a piece up for rubble, you most surely know what I am talking about as it will invariably contain a couple.

In my experience, they are detritivore and come out at night to feed on organic matter they find around their home. Leave some shrimp lying around in a trap, and you will definitely catch one or two (if you can keep the hermits out). I think they are a part of every reef and have not seen any damage I can directly link to them. They get my thumbs up!

 

[H20Sidhe]

Mike may give them 'thumbs up', but I recommend gloves.

 

[bladeruner143]

OUCH! I will definitely NOT be handling these things without triple gloving!!!