Bristleworm grows new head

[Dingo Dog]

I was curious if a bristleworm would grow a new head. It did. Here's what happened.

Four days ago it stuck it's head out looking for food. I was able to sever two 1/2" sections off it's front end. The now headless main body quickly retreated to safety while the severed head continued to move around. It looked like the head was trying to get under the sand bed. Not wanting two for the price of one, I extracted the wandering head from the tank VERY carefully. My cleaner shrimp quickly helped themselves to the remaining headless 1/2" piece of fresh meat.

Last evening when I dropped a few pellets in, from of the same spot in the rock I saw the bristleworm sporting a new head as though nothing had happened. So, I guess all worms are created equal in that respect.

:eek1:

Next time I'll try grabbing it and hopefully pull it completely out.

 

[m2434]

If you have one you have MANY!

 

[Justin James]

Why are you trying to get rid of your bristle worms???
They are great for your tank. If you want to keep them in check then just pickup a sixline wrasse or a coral banded shrimp.

 

[hypertech]

Its probably a different worm. If you have 1 you probably have a hundred.

 

[Dingo Dog]

Its definately a bristleworm and yes, I have more than just that one.
I just might try the shrimp but pass on the wrasse as I already have a Solar wrasse.
Thanks for the tip!

 

[xtm]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10963947#post10963947 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hypertech
Its probably a different worm. If you have 1 you probably have a hundred.

Truer words have never been said.

I saw ONE tiny bristlework lurking in the sandbed. No big deal I said.. that was until I looked at my overflow box! there were at least 20 HUGE bristleworms in there :eek2:

 

[Macimage]

Why do you want to get rid of the bristleworms? They are sold as part of cleanup crews by several reputable online retailers and are very desirable.

Joyce

 

[AquaReeferMan]

IMO a tank isnt complete until I see some bristleworms. Some of the best custodians out there. Any reason as to why you want to get rid of them?

 

[uscharalph]

As long as they are too big, I'm not worried about them. LOL!!!!

 

[magdelan]

Re: Bristleworm grows new head

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10963598#post10963598 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Dingo Dog
Four days ago it stuck it's head out looking for food. I was able to sever two 1/2" sections off it's front end.

Remind to NEVER go out to dinner with you. :lol:

 

[kimboslice]

is there any danger if they get too big? i saw one huge one in my tank, my estimation is a foot long but could be wrong since part of its body was under the rock as well, but he was many times bigger than any other bristleworms in my tank