Culturing Bristle Worms in Tank?

[reef_research]

assuming a large reef system with DSB and extensive sumps, how can one ensure that reasonable, if not large populations of bristleworms can be sustained and flourish?


Thanks.

 

[Jeff]

May I ask why you would want them to flourish?

Jeff

 

[reef_research]

They benfit the tank, phyto, and detrius removal/recyling into viable nutrients for sps corals.

 

[Jeff]

I know they do. But so do many other animals that are not dangerous. have you ever grabbed one by accident? It sux.

Consider cucumbers, stars, shrimp, crabs, snails, skimming, increased flow, filter socks, water changes, etc...

Jeff

 

[reef_research]

I'm not looking at them as some kind of miracle cure for simple maintenance, that's just downright foolish. All i'm trying is to get a steady population that's a little bit higher than the average reef tank.

 

[ChrisB]

I am interested in this also.

I believe the answer is to have a predator free sump/fuge with rubble and DSB. Maybe throw in a silverside or piece of shrimp once a week or so. They come out of the woodwork for that. That's what I am doing at least, but it hasn't been long enough(few weeks) to see if it's working. I'm going to give it a few months and re-evaluate.

 

[sugartooth]

Heavy feeding will do it. I have super #'s of them in my seahorse tank due to heavy feeding. I have been manually trapping them. It's endless.

Just realize that there are many many of them you don't see for every one you do see.

 

[graveyardworm]

Agreed heavy feeding will boost their population. However feeding extra to boost their population is not sensible.

They are a great member of the cleanup crew. Their population will adjust itself to the available food versus any other competition there might be. Just feed as you normally would and let them do their job.

 

[fry_school101]

If you have two, you have plenty. There'll be more soon. I use homemade fishfood (ground seafood) and they love that. They come out as soon as I start feeding the tank.

 

[BangaiiTX]

I have an abundance of these guys in my 185gallon tank, how I got so many, I do not know. I KNOW it isnt due to overfeeding!