Bristle Worms

Does anyone know if a large bristle worm will eat a cleaner shrimp? I've had 2 large cleaner shrimp disappear without a trace. I have a rather large bristle worm in my tank that I cant seem to catch.

 

There are 'worms' that can get large enough to eat fish (theres a post on here by JohnO about a GIANT worm). I cannot say if thats a bristle or not But yes, it's possible for a worm (nonspecific) to eat a shrimp.

edit - found it http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/great-worm-incident-30369.html

 

Have you checked your nitrates? Nitrates kill shrimp. Then all of the worms and bottom feeders will eat it so there is no trace left.

 

My nitrates are 0.

 

You could have a gorilla crab in your tank and not even know it

 

What's your specific gravity at?

 

SG is 1.023. I have another cleaner shrimp as well as a fire shrimp and a sexy shrimp that are all doing well. Tank parameters are perfect and the rest of the tank is doing great. I use RO water. I think there is something in the tank that is eating them. I only have 3 fish, a yellow tang, maroon clown and a neon gobie.

 

If the shrimp dies on it's own, the bristle worms and snails will eat it up in no time. There is little left to show the shrimp existed. I think that is the explanation to your mystery.