Predatory Bristleworm?

[topshotta]

Last night I was watching my aquarium after the halide went off and just some white LED's were on. I noticed a bristle worm that I've not seen for a few weeks slithering around the back of the tank in the sand. A few minutes went by and a snail was making its way past the bristle worm when all of a sudden the bristle worm literally attacked the snail. The worm wrapped itself around the snail like a snake and started to dive right into the snail shell literally ripping the snail out of its shell. I've never seen anything like this before. I have noticed that my snail population has dwindeled some, and I also lost a clam a few weeks back. I wondered back then if the bristle worm could've been the culprit - I'm even more suspicious now. Has anyone heard of such behavior from a bristle worm? Any suggestions on how the heck to catch it? This took place behind all the rockwork. I've seen those bristle worm traps, but how affective are they?

 

[Dragon68]

Just my opinon but i have cought them with a small part of panty hose and some food in it and leave it in the tank over night and they stick to it.But you might want to wait for more experienced people to chime in.

Good luck
Tony

 

[LeslieH]

Yes, some polychaetes are molluscs predators. Oenone fulgida & it's relatives are well known for their ability to decimate snail & clam populations. If you do a search here on RC you'll find plenty of posts and pics about them.

These are very hard to catch. They normally leave part of their bodies in their burrows and retract quite rapidly when a predator (you) is in sight. Try placing snail/clam meat in a bottle with a narrow mouth, the worm will crawl into it at least partially, then grab it with tongs. But they are fast - You may have to take out your rockwork. Just removing your snails won't work. If molluscs aren't around the Oenone will feed on other things, even detritus.

 

[Apachie]

I got live rock from a friend and i noticed a few baby worms
last night
Is buyingg a arrow crab (no other shrimp in tank yet) Good for
getting rid of those before it is to late.(Will get rid of crab later if i get one so that i can get other shrimp)

 

[smaier6]

Fire Bristle Worm Found

Fire Bristle Worm Found

Hello All,
I just found my first Fire Bristle Worm in my tank. It was on my Zoo Coral. I would like to know should I get rid of it if I can catch it? It's no more than an 1". I just added some new coral last night would that be the culprit. I am worried that my Zoo will die I have it a in a bowl with saltwater from the tank. I also have a BTA and a Clam. Will the worm kill or bother these to species?

 

[GS-Rock]

from what i know and seen most will not bother a BTA, also i have heard that if the BTA or any thing that is dieing, a bristle worm will take it as an east meal, i have some worm in my tank, havent had any problems, just like anything people tell you, '' you can take advice with a grain of salt, now if that advice it about high cholesterol dont take it"

 

[topshotta]

Do you think one of those green Coralife bristle worm traps would catch the nasty Oenone species that I have? BTW - I did some research on this species and found a few photos of them - that definitely looks like the bristle worm that's crawling around my tank. I would like to keep it in there, but I don't want to risk losing all my snails and possibly another clam down the road.

 

[GS-Rock]

i dont know why it wouldent work, if all else fails you can try a 6line which is known to eat them and you can always sell it back to your lfs

 

[topshotta]

I have a sixline in there already. I saw the bristle worm again tonight and tried to nab it, but it pulled away before I could grab it.

 

[GS-Rock]

try at night with a flashlight with a red lens. i sometimes watch my tank at night like that, when you are going for it move slowly, what are you using to pick it up? i have forceps, i am not sure using a net would be the best thing to use

 

[topshotta]

Yeah - I was watching it at night - flashlight w/out red lens though. I was trying to grab it with a pair of tweezers.

 

[GS-Rock]

do your best to not let it get anywhere close to you finger tip, they pack a nasty punch, first hand exp here. also if you find your self having troble picking him up, you can use scissors to chop him up which should have him squarming and you can just net him or syphon him up

 

[topshotta]

Yeah - I've not been stuck by one, but I've heard. Hopefully I can get it out of there. Thanks for all the tips!

 

[GS-Rock]

one more tip red saran wrap works a red light