Worm ?

[PowderBlue518]

what type of "bristleworm" is this?

Is it an Aquarium Fire Worm or a Coral-Eating Fireworm?

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m185/jill24_2006/100_2969-1.jpg


http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m185/jill24_2006/100_2968-1.jpg

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m185/jill24_2006/100_2967-1.jpg


http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m185/jill24_2006/100_2970.jpg

 

[michaelg]

he's a "big scary freaky" worm. Looks like a bristle worm to me. The vast majority of worms are not harmful. Any sign's that someone is nibbling on corals? if not, don't sweat it, and just consider it another part of the diversity in there. I've always just left them alone. If you do decide to get it out- don't touch with bare fingers. the bristles feel like fiberglass.

 

[Lakeside518]

Thing is huge. I saw 4" of it and there is defin alot more below the rock as it spans out. I have not noticed any damage to any of the corals. I read the spins are venomous.

He shares the same cave as our new purple firefish. Kinda worried about that. Hopefully its not in its nature to harm fish either.

 

[plandy]

OK I can see leaving one of these creepy things alone if they are already there via hitchhiking. But I cannot understand for the life of me why people would buy these and dump them in their reef tank on purpose. I think their creepy factor with their sometimes unpredictable habits outweights anything good.

 

[Sk8r]

Because their activity breaks down poo into a size the corals can use, and their cleaning inside the rocks helps the tank. I have probably a hundred in my tank, including 4 at 10 inches or more.

 

[PowderBlue518]

So this worm isnt going to effect my tank(livestock) in any way? .LOL He sure is a creepy looking thing .

Thanks

 

[Krazy]

They shouldnt bother anything, I've got a few fairly large ones myself and many many little ones...

 

[xian]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8011788#post8011788 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PowderBlue518
So this worm isnt going to effect my tank(livestock) in any way? .LOL He sure is a creepy looking thing .

Thanks

Beneficial detritavore

 

[plandy]

Jill,

Like they said these worms are mostly beneficial, which is true. However if it really bothers you then get a six line wrasse or a dottyback to clean house :uzi:

:wavehand:
Peter

 

[monti-mike]

they shouldn't bother anything but if there seems to be to many just pull them out with the old tweezers.........in my system i prob have thousands but they stirr the sand keep it airated and turn it over and eat all the left over food stuff and poo, but people do have different ideas on the subject, just keep an eye on the corals and make sure the worms are not feeding on them..

peace

mike