Verdict on Bristle Worms / Sand sifting star

[CCarlson8]

What is the general consensus on Bristle Worms..... Good??? or Bad??? If they are bad, how do I go about getting rid of them as I have noticed they are thriving in my LR?

Also on a side question, I have a sand sifting star and I noticed that it appears to be getting picked at. Just wondering if there is any one thing that could be picking on him.... I currently have: fish (clown pair, 3 firefish, mandarin), inverts(shrimp goby/pair, cleaner shrimp, blue legged hermits).

Thanks for help with either matter...

 

[CCarlson8]

Anyone with an opinion???

 

[hisc1ay]

They're fine as long as they don't get out of control. Aside from sometimes being pretty, they help with the less attractive side of the life cycle.

If it's really bad, you can try putting some food (like shrimp) in a nylon stocking and put it in the tank. I've never done this, but from what I hear they'll try to get to the food and get stuck in the stocking.

-j

 

[szwab]

bristleworms are for the most part scavengers and good for the tank. there are exceptions just like with everything in this hobby.

nothing stands out from your list that would bother your star. why do you say it's being picked at?

 

[BurntOutReefer]

Not sure on whats up with the star.....the worms, they are good, but can become unsightly once they get bigger

 

[CCarlson8]

When I say he is getting picked on.... I mean he is getting BEAT up!!! He is missing an arm and a couple bits and pieces on the other arms. I have taken him out and put him in the Fuge... He is still alive, for now at least!

 

[mike89t]

Most bristle worms are good for your tank. In fact they are some of the best cleaners you can find.

My guess is that your sand sifting starfish is starving to death. Once it eats all the little critters in your sand bed there is not much else it can eat.

 

[CCarlson8]

How would starving to death cause him to loose an arm and bits to be missing from his other arms. As far as the little critters... My mandarin is doing well, so I know I have lots of various pods... You can see them swarming on the sandbed at night. Not sure exactly what you mean by starving to death.

 

[mike89t]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6732469#post6732469 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CCarlson8
How would starving to death cause him to loose an arm and bits to be missing from his other arms. As far as the little critters... My mandarin is doing well, so I know I have lots of various pods... You can see them swarming on the sandbed at night. Not sure exactly what you mean by starving to death.

From Dr Ron:

Sand Sifting Starfish disintegrate during the last stages of starvation. Such stars eat only worms, clams, burrowing sea cucumbers or other animals living in the sediments. They are not scavengers nor do they eat detritus - only live animals. In nature it takes several dozen to several hundred square yards of animal rich sediments to support such an aniimal. They do not survive for any appreciable period in most marine aquaria.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=640203&highlight=star+sifting