WTH is it?!?

[hammcd]

so today my sixline wrasse figured out how to jump the wall, get into the second chamber of my biocube, swin through the cheato?..through the live rock rubble and into the gap between the second chamber and the third chamber with the pump...i had to get everything out of the back and my tank was a cloudy mess by the end of it all

when the dust settled i found this 3 inch worm trying to burrow into the sand in the display tank...what the h#$* is it...some type of worm obviously..is it ok to have in the tank or should i exterminate and somehow treat the tank...yuck!
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[tim8111]

Bristle Worm - they are harmless, unless you touch it. They eat detritus - waste from fish and excess food.

Tim

 

[hammcd]

so should i put him back in the tank..kinda creeps me out...hes in a jelly jar at the moment lol

 

[hammcd]

anyone..anyone?

 

[freezerrat]

Put him back. Personally, I like the mindless critters that behave naturally even when you're watching them. More interesting than fish who beg worse than dogs whenever they see you.

 

[jead85]

Just don't touch it

 

[fish scales2]

They will not eat your corals and are good food for some fish as well. To me they are a part of your cleanup crew and can be beneficial. If you see their population spike or see them getting massive this could indicate that you are feeding to much.

They do not often bite but when they do it is not pleasant at all in fact it is almost unbearable. The bristles can also become embedded into your skin and cause irritation and redness so makes sure you wear gloves or use tongs.

 

[hackman72]

Beonna;565926 wrote: I had a very long pair of tweezers, but seldom got a good enough grip to get them out. I agree they can be beneficial. What kinds of fish eat them? I thought it was only Arrowhead crabs.

six line wrasse

 

[falos]

they also help stir the sand bed and clean the small holes in the rock work never sean them atack coral or fish

 

[dyer_maker]

I had a ton of bristle worms and one time... that was before I picked up a six line. I rarely ever see any today although I've never seen my six line with one.

 

[hn1]

Fish Scales2;565918 wrote: They will not eat your corals and are good food for some fish as well. To me they are a part of your cleanup crew and can be beneficial. If you see their population spike or see them getting massive this could indicate that you are feeding to much.

They do not often bite but when they do it is not pleasant at all in fact it is almost unbearable. The bristles can also become embedded into your skin and cause irritation and redness so makes sure you wear gloves or use tongs.

+1. Free efficient CUC and good to have IMO. Throw it in your sump if you have one.

Yep. Only been hit once, but wanted to chew my wrist off.

 

[peachyreef]

I accidentally picked one up with a rock today and had 1000+ stingers in me... my hand is all swollen now. But if you do get poked rub the spines out with a towel then dip your hans in vinegar

 

[fish scales2]

Good advice, I usually rub my hand through my hair and it removes them as well. One day I will learn my lesson:shout:

 

[weaglereefer]

Easiest way to find them is when you're cleaning old sand from a tank break down. Just stirring the sand in the bucket with my hand. I counted over 100 bristles on one finger...lesson learned.

 

[pamelahaley]

I got an arrow crab which cleared them right up. I was done when my tank was empty for all but LR and it was like... I don't know how to explain the level of creepy. Also, I moved around my LR and ended up with a ton of bristle worm hairs in my finger. It wasn't horrible but, it wasn't fun. Imagine 10 glass splinters in your finger.