Bristle Worms

[Freenow54]

I bought some snails and an urchin a couple of days ago. One appeared

dead but I left it. This morning when I fed my fish I noticed some bristle worms that looked like they were eating this snail although they would have had to drag it 6 inches to the rock IF it is the same snail. I have never read this before Opinion? While I am on it am I missing something? Such a pain to drop and drag images sometimes if I click the wrong thing it boots me out completly

 

[Peace River]

There is a variety of opinions on bristle worms. They can be advantageous because they eat the bits of organic material that get caught in the rocks and sand. However, they can overpopulate if the tank isn't kept clean. Additionally, some don't consider them pleasant to look at and you won't want to handle them.

The quick version is keep a clean tank and it will keep them under control. Good luck on your reefing journey!

 

[ScottJ]

and you won't want to handle them.

The understatement of the year.

 

[Freenow54]

There is a variety of opinions on bristle worms. They can be advantageous because they eat the bits of organic material that get caught in the rocks and sand. However, they can overpopulate if the tank isn't kept clean. Additionally, some don't consider them pleasant to look at and you won't want to handle them.

The quick version is keep a clean tank and it will keep them under control. Good luck on your reefing journey!

So you think they are capable of doing that? I do keep the tank clean If anything I probably overfeed. They only come out when I feed or have the lights off. I have been told they are good scavengers. I just don't want to find out they eat coral

 

[vetteguy53081]

I bought some snails and an urchin a couple of days ago. One appeared

dead but I left it. This morning when I fed my fish I noticed some bristle worms that looked like they were eating this snail although they would have had to drag it 6 inches to the rock IF it is the same snail. I have never read this before Opinion? While I am on it am I missing something? Such a pain to drop and drag images sometimes if I click the wrong thing it boots me out completly

Too many. You can get rid of them by adding a couple of arrow crabs or dosing tank with PraziPro. They are scavengers and capable of doing this but also assure snails have a food source and get a GOOD acclimation.

Arrow eating bristle:

 

[malacoda]

Very doubtful. Odds are the snail was on unhealthy and on its deathbed. Bristleworms, hermits, nassarius snails, and other carrion eaters don't always wait until something is dead to start consuming it...

They can sense the sick, failing creature/dying flesh and will seek it out and begin to eat it before the ill creature has fully died.

Healthy fish, snails, etc. are too fast and or strong to be caught or bothered by carrion-eating CUC. But sick and dying animals are too slow/weak to get away ... and the CUC can end their suffering sooner than a slow illness/disease would.

 

[exnisstech]

So you think they are capable of doing that? I do keep the tank clean If anything I probably overfeed. They only come out when I feed or have the lights off. I have been told they are good scavengers. I just don't want to find out they eat coral

I have them in every tank. They are scavengers and will not eat live coral IME I welcome them