What fish/creatures eat bristleworms and are reef safe?

[Nasty Wendy]

I have a large no a very large population of bristleworms and I am trying to thin them. A Dragon Wrasse was recommended to me but they will also eat my shrimp so thats a no go. Anyone here have any suggestions on reef safe bristleworm eaters? I know that bristleworms are beneficial but I need to get rid of some. Its to the point that when I feed my tank they come out and compete with the fish for the food.

 

[SuperNerd]

Most of the animals (such as wrasses, pseudochromis and arrow crabs) that may go after bristle worms also have the potential to become aggressive towards other tank mates.

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Oh yeah I've already tried an Arrow Crab and it ate two of my Fire shrimp. I saw a bristleworm crawl between the Arrow Crab's legs and it didn't make any attempt at it.

I wonder if a Harlequin Tusk would eat bristleworms? I may have to go shrimpless.

 

[SuperNerd]

hehe I would take the arrow crab back to the lfs, get some credit, and get either a fridmani or a purple pseudochromis.

http://www.orafarm.com/dottybacks.html
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=38

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Thanks. That maybe what the dr. ordered.

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Did a little reading and they all say "should be monitored with shrimp". I guess its just gonna be a hit or miss thing.

 

[650-IS350]

Dottybacks and psuedo's will try to kill a invert if they think they are capable of doing so....

Longnose hawks are know to eat small bristtle worms as well.. but may go after your shrimps... I had a flame and longnose in my 55 long ago but never attacked the shrimps...

why don't you just get bristtleworm traps...????

 

[SuperNerd]

Yes, the bigger ones may go after bigger inverts. If you don't want to risk it I would also go for the trap.

 

[dippin61]

a nylon with a chunk of food in the end works great.

 

[SuperNerd]

lol As long as we're talking DIY so does a container with a chunk of food on the bottom. Crabs and shrimp may eat the food though, with crabs getting stuck and shrimp swimming out.

 

[weaselslucks]

I'll take a few
if you send them out to me

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Bristleworm traps. I never knew such things existed. So are they like glue traps for mice?

What stops the desired tank inhabitants from eating the 'trap' food or even getting trapped? I guess I have some research to do. Thanks guys.

weaselslucks : I replied to you pm before I saw this thread. Maybe if I can trap them I can send you some.

 

[luispa]

six line wrasse and the
arrow crab will do

 

[Nasty Wendy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8695257#post8695257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luispa
six line wrasse and the
arrow crab will do

I have a Six Line Wrasse. He loves the tiny starfish but doesn't eat the bristleworms.....he said they were to salty.:rolleye1:

And the Arrow crab prefered to eat Fire Shrimp.:mad2:

 

[luispa]

oh well i guess it all comes to good luck then...

i had both once and i saw them hunting on bristleworms once in a while...

my bristleworms where small though, no more than 2inches long
if you don't have any other inverts in your tank try a triggerfish or a harlequim tusk i think its the name...

good luck!!!

 

[SuperNerd]

Personally I would take the arrow crab out. Those things can get to be nasty to other animals. How big is the six line?

 

[luispa]

i also suggest getting them out with tweezers...
if you react fast enough, youll get them...
try to not move the lights when doing so because they will surely hide quickly.

good luck!

 

[SuperNerd]

Yes, take our word for it when we say bare fingers and bristleworms do not mix! :lmao:

 

[Nasty Wendy]

My Sixline is tiny. He only has four and a half lines he so small.
Actually he is approx 1 7/16ths inches.

He is always patrolling the entire tank. He gives those mini serpent stars HELL.

 

[saltyguy]

I heard that the Coral Banded Shrimp will eat bristleworms.