Need Some Help With A New Creature...

[WhiteysTA]

Found another one of these guys under a rock in my tank, anybody know if he's good or bad? I've been pitching them in the yard but this one was bigger and decided to take a pic to help figure out what he is. I figured it was just a bristleworm. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[capncapo]

Looks like a typical bristleworm to me but even an expert would need a very close-up picture to properly identify it.

I don't think I'd sweat it though. Bad ones are pretty rare.

 

[WhiteysTA]

so, should I throw him back and let him clean up the tank or throw him in the yard so my hermit crabs stop dissapearing?

 

[capncapo]

Bristleworms eat ONLY the dead and dying. They have no teeth or any means to predate on anything.

They are some of the most beneficial critters in your tank. Leave it in. Something to consider is that they would not be alive without food and if you rid your tank of them what will eat the food that they currently do?

 

[sirreal63]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10069368#post10069368 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by capncapo
Bristleworms eat ONLY the dead and dying. They have no teeth or any means to predate on anything.

They are some of the most beneficial critters in your tank. Leave it in. Something to consider is that they would not be alive without food and if you rid your tank of them what will eat the food that they currently do?

I agree with CapnDinosaur. Their population is self limiting and they are the best scavengers you can get. There will only be as many as their is food to sustain them. I have one that is about 6" long, just don't pet them, the bristles can be irritating.

 

[WhiteysTA]

Well, thanks everyone for the info on these little guys. Unfortunatly when I thru him back in my triggerfish made a nice snack out of him. I'm sure there are many more hiding under my rocks that I will find when I move in a month. At least now I know to keep them instead of pitch them out! Thanks again!

 

[StupidsReef]

Yea, you might want to keep them. Not only do they do everthing the CapnDinosaur stated they also will somewhat stirr the sand as they move through it looking for food and help keep the ditres from building up.