Inverts

Hey gang, i was looking through my tank and i found to my surprise several large bristleworms, and when i looked even closer, many small copepods and other creatures running around. WHile this is sort of good because i have been waiting to see these to try and keep a dragonet, i am skeptical about the bristleworms. I have heard that they are very bad and i have also heard that they can be beneficial. I have caught many small ones, and a few larger ones, but before i proceed to try and erradicate them(impossible yes i know), i was wondering if you could help and list me some of the pros and cons of bristleworms, and/or other small creatures? thanks.
Dan

 

San,

Anthony Calfo regards bristle worms and all polycheates as generally beneficial. They are good sand stirrers, detrivores, asnd carionavores. I wouldn't be too concerned. These creatures indicate a healthy tank, congrats.

Welcome and feel free to join as a member. It's free!

 

my tanks been running for 8 months and i haven't seen any pods. I should because I have 40 lbs. LR and 60 lbs. of LS. I'm concerned because when I reciveved the LS i put it in a bucket w/ water and a powerhead because my tank wasn't ready. Would that of killed them. If so, how can i get some. I want them for my dragnet and my corals.

 

What kind of dragonette HL? Mandarins require a 100 gallon + tank to have enough pods. The tank must be a year old minimum as well and have an established pod community. You can get a pod starter kit from Indo-Pacific Seafarms. http://www.ipsf.com/index.html

 

Craig, I've got a mated pair of mandarines in my 75 gallon, and they're always fat and healthy.I also know a guy who has a mandarine in a 5 gallon nano. HL it sounds like you have something eating your pod population. Even with my mandarine I still see pods on the glass.

 

but not in my refuge

 

You meant in your fuge. Thought you meant in the tank.

 

yeah in my fuge, I think i'm gonna buy a culture of copepods on ebay to put in my refuge. It comes w/ like 30 of them.