Bristleworm?

Steve Jones · Jul 4, 2016

Is this guy a bristleworm? He looks to be about 6" long. Any reason to leave in tank? Or remove? I lean more toward remove just cause he's ugly. Lol

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1467650844.643209.jpg

twilliard · Jul 4, 2016

Yes a bristle worm
They are great scavengers and up to the tank owner preference for removal.

Robink · Jul 4, 2016

+1 , good clean up crew. They're just not pretty. ;)

Run4Fun · Jul 4, 2016

I would leave him in. Cool little critters.

Roboson · Jul 4, 2016

I have tons in my nano. They get bigger than that and are kind of unsightly. I use mine as a form of nutrient export. When they get big, I pull them out and whatever nutrients are in them leave the tank. Is this effective/efficient nutrient export? No. Do I like bristleworms? No. It works for me.

I'd pull him.

Lionfish Lair · Jul 4, 2016

When they are grabable... I remove the large ones too..... like pruning macro :-)

RedoubtReef · Jul 4, 2016

No reason to pull him out. they're great detrivores that get into places you can't.

Lionfish Lair · Jul 4, 2016

I leave all the Linopherus species alone. I rather like them with their cool eyes. The large Eurythoe species have a muscle to them and if they get lazy and get themselves in a spot I can remove them.... out they come. I would never go through any trouble to get one out though.