Help Identify Please

[silverA3]

So Ive been seeing some creepy looking millipede/centipede kind of creatures crawling in and out of my rocks. I was able to take a couple pics as well as grab a couple when a couple ventured out of the rocks for food. Any idea what they are? Are they bad? There are quite a few in my tank, I can see them all over the place.

 

[vincent92]

I've had them before, not harmful. My corals and fish remained untouched.

 

[jporter]

Those are bristle worms. Great scavengers that you will see mostly at night. JP

 

[dvu]

Bristle worm

 

[silverA3]

Alright great, glad to hear they're not going to be a problem! Thanks guys

 

[Tschupe]

Yes bristle worm. I've never touched one but I hear its painful so don't touch them.

 

[Junktown]

Feels like a prickly pear picker

 

[bugs713]

If you do come into contact with a Bristle and get stuck, soak body part in vinegar and that will dissolve the micro spines. I managed to get stuck while flipping a snail... the vinegar worked well.

 

[Honda619]

I have no idea how you guys manage to catch these Bristle Worms! I seriously have to wait until the lights have been off for a few minutes and use a flashlight just to see them. Even then, they shoot back into their little dens pretty much as soon as they sense the light.

I've never seen one come out during the day (in my own tank) but have seen them in bright light at multiple shops around the valley. At a certain point do they become more bold and venture out during the day? I'm still new to this and don't mean to hijack your thread!

 

[tatuaje08]

I believe they are nocturnal.

 

[gregandamanda]

Bristle worms not sure if they are nocturnal or not but they will help clean your tank eating detritus and I have even seen them snack on a dead fish before

 

[mitch30111]

I have them in the sump and see them often during the day.

 

[azkass]

If you want to see them, place a piece of squid or krill at the bottom by the rock. That should entice them out. And yes, those bristles hurt like hell! Thanks for the vinegar tip.

 

[rapture]

im a little confused,
ive been out of the hobby for a few years and finally getting back in, I was always told bristle worms are a horrible pest and in fact could kill fish.
I had them in my previous tank and was told to do everything in my power to rid my tank of them.

 

[vincent92]

There's another type of bristle worm that's a bit larger that's bad, but these type that are 1inch or so seem to be OK. I've had them and never had a problem at all.

 

[Imjustgud]

You have the good ones. These guys help breakdown uneaten food in the substrate.

 

[rapture]

good to know. yeah mine were on average 5-9 inches

 

[tatuaje08]

Fireworms are bad.

 

[tcamos]

Fire worms are bad but seldom show up in the hobby. I've never had one. Even large bristle worms are not a problem and getting stung really doesn't hurt.

Here's one of my big ones.
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WHxIcPgrggY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

And here's the one and only time I've been stung...it wasn't so bad.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/oEbuO9feTGM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>