Bristleworms...Ugh

We seem to have gotten rid of the problem now, but lost almost 75% or my LR over it...what a good way to get rid/keep them out??? Ive never had something be so annoying and destructive in my life!!

 

I may be wrong but I don't think Bristleworms are destructive. They may look ugly and they may hurt when you touch them but really they cause no harm plus I kinda like to watch them in my refugium. But if you really want them gone there are many fish that will eat them like a purple dottyback for example.

 

actually ask jason one went beserko and attacked his clams and corals


coralife makes a trap for about 10 bucks not sure how well it works but if you want to try it.

 

Really? From everyone that I talked to they all said that they were harmless.

 

oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!! bristles are destructive?, i watch mine all the time and their population is booming oh no!!!!!!!

 

What have they done that is destructive?

 

nothing so far but he said........lol

 

Your right, Bristleworms are harmless detrivores that make up a good part of your clean up crew.

Either Jasons Clam was already dead, or he had a fireworm (look very similar). Typically a healthy clam i would imagine, would close if something tried to eat it.

 

whew

 

Looks like you have your answer, Bristles are considered part of your cleaning crew - rather harmless detritivores.

Large Bristles would need to go as the larger ones can actually go after your fish as well as corals. Quite honestly I think they are about the ugliest little buggers and I suggest trapping some (not all, they are great sand shifters and do eat a lot of waste) – but if you are over run I suggest the jar method as if you were going after a crab.

I *think* if the worm has fuzzy legs then it *could* be a fireworm and people have had to have fingers amputated after being stung…..I am not making it up folk, I read it on the internet so its got to be true !

Ok, I don’t want to spread rumors so I googled it – here is a site with some decent information:

Reefs.org: Where Reefkeeping Begins on the Internet - Phylum Annelida -- Polychaetes,the bristleworms, Rob Toonen Aquarium.Net May 1997

Anywho, lets talk about reducing the uglies in the tank…..

Place a glass jar into the sand and surround it with small rocks or build the sand up around it. Put some pellet food in there or a piece of shrimp or the like, in the morning you will have trapped some. Remember, the worm needs access to the top so it shouldn’t be 4 inches above the sand or he won’t be able to climb in.