Brissle worms

[Roy 9121]

I have some brissle worms in my tank, and they are starting to get out of hand. What's the best way to control them?

 

[tdileo]

You are probably overfeeding, the population should be self sustaining. However if you really like feeding a lot, yellow coris, sixline, melanarus and others wrasses eat them as well as some inverts like arrow crabs. Arrows are not considered reef safe though unless you get insanely lucky

 

[ebushrow]

You are overfeeding as there is plenty of food hitting the bottom for them to eat....don't worry you are in good company.

You need to physically trap and remove them to cull the population. There are commercial traps you can buy (10-15.00) or you can go the route of using a pot scrubber or bath puff (dollar store brands). You add some food to the center, let it sit awhile and take it out along with the worms. And repeat, repeat, ....

 

[Roy 9121]

You are probably overfeeding, the population should be self sustaining. However if you really like feeding a lot, yellow coris, sixline, melanarus and others wrasses eat them as well as some inverts like arrow crabs. Arrows are not considered reef safe though unless you get insanely lucky

I just added an Arrow crab. Was that a mistake?

 

[tdileo]

I just added an Arrow crab. Was that a mistake?

Usually if the crab is well fed they won't go after corals. Or you could get lucky and it will be a perfect angel and only eats bristleworms and pellets. However if you see sudden coral damage I would remove him just in case it is him. Perhaps he can stay in the sump until you find the cause which could possibly be the crab.

 

[Roy 9121]

Usually if the crab is well fed they won't go after corals. Or you could get lucky and it will be a perfect angel and only eats bristleworms and pellets. However if you see sudden coral damage I would remove him just in case it is him. Perhaps he can stay in the sump until you find the cause which could possibly be the crab.

Thanks, I'll keep an eye on him.