Bristle Worms...

[legalreefer]

Good or bad? Opinions, etc. Im starting to see a lot of big ones roaming around. Can/will they harm fish and corals?

 

[no1bubba]

I have been dealing with them for a year now. I have been told they do not harm anything and so far I agree, I just hate them. I have purchased 4 traps and thought I was really catching a fair share until yesterday. I removed a small rock of Blue Tubbs and when I observed closely it was full of tiny worms shorter than you finger nail, they were not just on the underside but all through the zoas..every square inch. I am looking at it as a lost cause and no longer working in the tank without gloves. Bubba:mad2:

 

[wbrown]

Indifferent. Not pretty but they do consume waste, so they serve a function.
Not known to eat or harm corals, but you dont want to handle them.

 

[rtirado]

Yea my tank is fairly new but I already have a few bristle worms that are about 3-4 inches long. Not pretty to look at but they do clean up extra crap in the tank and only at night so it doesnt bug me too much.

 

[rdnelson]

I had one early on that was a couple inches long but I think my 6 line took him out. LOL

 

[hammcd]

bw=good

 

[jennm]

Love thy worms. They provide a valuable service, cleaning up uneaten food and waste.

If you have a crazy large population of bristleworms, you're over-feeding. Cut back on your food additions and the population will lessen a bit. Their populations in your system will respond to the amount of available food.

They're good for your tank, not so good for your fingers - but you get used to it

Jenn

 

[izoid]

I agree that they are good. I am in need of some and am considering orering them from IPSF. Let me know if you would like to unload some.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Just curious- what do you guys mean by "eat waste"?

 

[legalreefer]

Thanks for all the input! I dont know why I had bad thoughts but thanks for clearing up.

Izoid, if your ever in the athens area and Im able to grab a few, you are more than welcome to them.

 

[frantz]

waste = poop and decaying matter.
As for give-a-ways izoid, if you make it down to atlanta I'll give ya all you want in a little jar. I'm right at the 75-285 interchange.

 

[rtirado]

jmaneyapanda;720589 wrote: Just curious- what do you guys mean by "eat waste"?

Detritus and excess food I thought.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

I think some may be misled into thinking these will eaten detritus or "debris". Bristle worms are great for eating uneaten food, and decaying organic items, but aren't going to consume detritus. By detritus, I mean the brown "dusty" particles, etc. good husbandry and cleaning will need to continue. They are scavengers, not export tools.

 

[legalreefer]

jmaneyapanda;720655 wrote: They are scavengers, not export tools.

Hahaha!