Bristle worms

[Mike628]

Are bristle worms bad if they are in the tank? If so what can I use to get rid of them?

 

[KJ]

Bristle worms are good scavengers.:)

 

[kschweer]

Bristle worms normally aren't considered "bad" unless you have a ton of them, but they are more unsightly than "bad". Their population is usually dependent on available food as they eat left over food and other detritus. If you find you have too many for your liking you can cut the foot off of a pair of panty hose and put a piece of shrimp inside. Put this in the tank right after the lights go out, the worms will try to get to the shrimp and their bristles will get stuck in the panty hose. In the morning simply (and carefully) remove the panty hose with worms attached.

 

[Mike628]

I've seen 3 in my tank. I dont want them in there because I for one dont want to be jabbed by one and I dont want them being a pest to my tank. What kind of fish or creatures will take care of them? I've heard a six line wrasse will do the job... is this true?

 

[Marty.h]

A wrass will also more then likely eat shrimp and could jump out of tank if you are open top.

I have quite a few in mine but to be honest they only come out at nights and have a clear up so I'm not overly fussed and if I'm ever working in the tank I make sure I'm wearing gloves :)

 

[Tahoe61]

In 30 years of reefing Bristle Worms have never been an issue, but if you want to reduce their numbers try an Arrow Crab, they eat Bristle worms like candy, but Arrow Crabs come with their own issue.

 

[KJ]

Copperband Butterflyfish.

 

[KJ]

In 30 years of reefing Bristle Worms have never been an issue, but if you want to reduce their numbers try an Arrow Crab, they eat Bristle worms like candy, but Arrow Crabs come with their own issue.

Again.I need more practice with my trigger finger :D

 

[Marty.h]

Copperband Butterflyfish.

I tried one of them for aptasia but it soon annoyed all my acans , tracky and many other corals and was evicted to my brother inlaws FOWLR tank so add to a reef with caution !!

 

[KJ]

I tried one of them for aptasia but it soon annoyed all my acans , tracky and many other corals and was evicted to my brother inlaws FOWLR tank so add to a reef with caution !!

I had one for over 8 years and never had any problems what so ever, he ate frozen food straight from my hands I did not see any bristle worms, in my tank as long as I had him but every person has different experiences with them,I agree with you 100% this is hit or miss.;)

 

[Marty.h]

Yeah I have heard so many that are model citizens.

I have a file fish in mine now it's reef safe but also aptasia safe !!!

 

[KJ]

Yeah I have heard so many that are model citizens.

I have a file fish in mine now it's reef safe but also aptasia safe !!!

LOL:D

 

[Mike628]

So wrasse will eat crabs. Arrow crabs have their own issue? What is the arrow crab issue? And what is the problem with copperband butterfly fish?

 

[Mike628]

So if I use a six line wrasse will it eat my crabs? And will it eat my tuxedo urchin?

 

[Mike628]

Can I put this in the pantyhose and put this in the tank or will it cloud up my water and hurt my fish?

 

[Tahoe61]

You really do not want to have decaying organic matter sitting in the tank. If you're doing to use that use a very small piece.

Arrow Crabs get big fast and can steal food from corals or anemones.

Copper band butterfly fish are not the easiest fish to acclimate, they can be picky eaters.

 

[Mike628]

Will the bristle worms go for it? What would you say to use?

 

[wangspeed]

Just get a wrasse. I have all sorts and they scavenge all day long. Not a single one others my inverts. Even when I had a melanarus, I never saw him attack an invert, but there are others that are almost guaranteed to be reef safe.

 

[jasonandsarah]

Dottyback

 

[Z06-Hec]

i just posted the same question last week. I just bought a melanarus wrasse for the same thing. I haven't seen him eat any worms yet, but I do see him pecking rocks and scavenging. I only got 1, for my 150 gal tank, so not sure how long or if ever he will do the entire job.