bristle worms

[cowboy898]

I have found a number of bristle worms in my 75gal. I was wondering if they are a good or bad?

If they are bad how do I kill them?

John

 

[oceanparadise1]

are they big? and if they are not bothering any thing leave them be they are great as a part of your clean up crew if they get outat hand ik arrow crabs eat them

 

[RyanEG]

Bristles are great detrious eaters, only remove the huge ones12" or more because they will go after small fishes and snails.

 

[Skier1]

There are a good series of articles on worms in the back issues of reefkeeping on this site.

Here's one:

http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/rs/index.php

I have a ton of worms in my 75G and, based on all my research, I see no reason to try to remove them. They do a great job keeping the sandbed clean.

 

[cowboy898]

thanks everyone for the input. I will keep an eye on them.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12596633#post12596633 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cowboy898
thanks everyone for the input. I will keep an eye on them.

tip: a flashlight can be useful for this purpose

 

[magdelan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12596901#post12596901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Gary Majchrzak
tip: a flashlight can be useful for this purpose

Or....flicking on the actinics when they least expect it (as I just did) and watching the Amphipods scatter like roaches. Kind of funny :lol:

 

[tmz]

An arrow crab(stenorhynchus setricornis) is more of a threat than brsitle worms . They will decimate polychaetes(worms) in your reef and won't scavenge enough to make up for the lost worms.They will also attack crustaceans such as shrimp.

Bristle worms will not eat fish or snails even when large. There are over 10,000 species and most are not predatory. Most are excellent scavengers and highly beneficial. They do have bristles which can sting whatever they brush against. So the thought of a large one crawling over corals is disconcerting. Be careful if you are removing one . They can sting you too.

 

[oceanparadise1]

ive had an arrow for a while with a coral banded a couple peps and 3 cleaners and he leaves them alone idk maybe i got lucky? hopefully he doesnt change lol

 

[tmz]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12603147#post12603147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oceanparadise1
ive had an arrow for a while with a coral banded a couple peps and 3 cleaners and he leaves them alone idk maybe i got lucky? hopefully he doesnt change lol

I hopeso. and wish you continued good luck.

 

[oceanparadise1]

im thinking about taking him out now lol

 

[tmz]

If he's not hurting anything, he might be ok for a while. Just keep an eye on him

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

FWIW it's usually difficult to monitor destrcuction caused by crabs since they're out and about (for the most part) at night.
Polychaetes are on the arrow crabs menu- and featherdusters are a type of polychaete.

 

[oceanparadise1]

well i dont have any duester so that okay i guess i do have lots of softies thou and zoas

 

[dan10342]

i thought arrow crabs werent reef safe?

IME bristleworms are harmless.

eunicid worms on the other hand... ive only heard the stories

 

[tmz]

Reef safe is a relative term with little precise meaning. As many others I prefer species specific descriptions of compatabilty over broad categorizations.