Any good bristleworm control that isn't arrow crabs or yellow coris wrasse?

[Slocke]

Crown cones (Conus regius) specialize on polychaetes like common bristleworms and fireworms, though they are venomous.
"Their sting is similar to a Yellow Jacket."
https://reeftopia.com/products/regius-cone-snail-conus-regius

Welcome back!

 

[WheatToast]

I'll look into that! Are they reef safe?

Based on what I found online, it appears that they only prey on polychaetes (and if I can somehow confirm that they will eat Oenone fulgida, which are also polychaetes, that would be great). However, being venomous, I would be cautious about buying Conus regius.
@Jay Hemdal

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Based on what I found online, it appears that they only prey on polychaetes (and if I can somehow confirm that they will eat Oenone fulgida, which are also polychaetes, that would be great). However, being venomous, I would be cautious about buying Conus regius.
@Jay Hemdal

Looked into that, I have been keeping this setup to have livestock native to Australia/indo pacific, anything out there that will eat bristleworms?

 

[minus9]

Why are you trying to get rid of bristleworms? You feed the tank, they clean up, that's how it works. I have thousands of bristleworms in my tank among healthy corals, fish, clams, etc and the bristleworms clean up and don't bother anything. Their numbers are directly associated with the available food. I never understood the hatred people have for them, other than the occasional bristles in the hand.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Based on what I found online, it appears that they only prey on polychaetes (and if I can somehow confirm that they will eat Oenone fulgida, which are also polychaetes, that would be great). However, being venomous, I would be cautious about buying Conus regius.
@Jay Hemdal

After a bit more research, there are two species of crab native to that range that are on quality marine (where my LFS sources livestock) are red fiddler crabs (uca crassipes) or blue fiddler crabs (Pertrolesthes) Reef Safe, do they live in a fully aquatic enviorment and do they eat bristleworms?

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

Why are you trying to get rid of bristleworms? You feed the tank, they clean up, that's how it works. I have thousands of bristleworms in my tank among healthy corals, fish, clams, etc and the bristleworms clean up and don't bother anything. Their numbers are directly associated with the available food. I never understood the hatred people have for them, other than the occasional bristles in the hand.

Just trying to control the population

 

[minus9]

Just trying to control the population

But why? Are you seeing any negative issues with their population? Are you trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist? I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but in my 40+ years of keeping saltwater, bristleworms have to be the most misunderstood inverts out there. Their function/role in our tanks is vital to the overall health of the tank. They are one of the best detritivores out there.

 

[Reefkeepers Archive]

But why? Are you seeing any negative issues with their population? Are you trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist? I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but in my 40+ years of keeping saltwater, bristleworms have to be the most misunderstood inverts out there. Their function/role in our tanks is vital to the overall health of the tank. They are one of the best detritivores out there.

I just don't like them lol, I see way too many of them for my liking, plus the added risk of being stung.

 

[minus9]

I just don't like them lol, I see way too many of them for my liking, plus the added risk of being stung.

That's just a reminder to keep your hands out of the tank.

 

[minus9]

I understand that most people don't like them, but their importance in a healthy tank is vital in my book/experience. There are certain pseudochromis that will eat them, but they also tend to be a little aggressive with tankmates, although most captive bred pseudo's are mild compared to their wild counterparts.

 

[Slocke]

After a bit more research, there are two species of crab native to that range that are on quality marine (where my LFS sources livestock) are red fiddler crabs (uca crassipes) or blue fiddler crabs (Pertrolesthes) Reef Safe, do they live in a fully aquatic enviorment and do they eat bristleworms?

I believe fiddlers only feed out of the water during low tide

 

[Double monti 61]

Never had a problem with bristle worms I think they get a bad reputation from misinformation. Maybe they need more competition from other invertebrates to help keep their numbers down?

 

[corsicoreef]

Bristleworm trap?
I have caught over 50 in less than 30mins with one of these!
Great for knocking down the numbers quickly.

I keep the small ones, and trap the big ones with the same device 3d printed trap. Nice to see the big fellas captured

 

[Falreef]

Bristleworm traps. Bait and remove frequently. Get a couple dottybacks. I’ve also had watchman gobies eat them. I’ve seen them do it. Bait traps overnight, remove first thing in am. Get a few with different sizes. Splendid dottybacks, purple dotty backs. Various wrasses.

 

[leon.1980]

Melanarus wrasse eats bristle worms and flatworms too. A great fish to have.

I love my melanrius.

 

[Nemo&Friends]

coral banded shrimp are supposed to eat bristle worms. However I have one and the only time I saw it eating one is when I offer the worm to her.... I do not see as many worms as I used to, so it must catch them sometimes.

 

[Duzzy]

Looking for bristleworm control in my 120, so far a coral-only setup as I haven't been able to get fish in, though there is alot of bristleworms, any good control that might be easier to get in? Also, do butterflies (specifically pyramid butterflies) eat bristleworms, they're the fish I've been trying to get in.
Thanks!

Try something like this.

Bristle Worm Trap - Etsy Australia

This Aquariums & Tank Decor item by FishGuildCorp has 53 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from United States. Listed on 12 Oct, 2023

www.etsy.com

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

My AC Neon Dottyback eats Bristle Worms, I’ve seen the Spines Sticking out of him. Doesn’t harm him, though. Also it eats Aiptasia Anemones, was wondering what ate these, just caught the Dottyback munching on them a couple days ago. It may have wiped out my Waving Hand Coral. Hasn’t touched the GSP.

 

[Philip Chin]

Bristleworm trap?
I have caught over 50 in less than 30mins with one of these!
Great for knocking down the numbers quickly.

Nice trap. Where did you get it from?

 

[RichReef]

Put a raw shrimp and a stone in a nylon sock and put it in a back corner. They will get tangled in it. Throw the sock out. Rinse and repeat.