bristleworms good or bad?

jweed9379 · Aug 7, 2014

Ive seen many different opinions on the topic of bristleworms...so what is everyones opinion on them? I personally dont have an issue with them but i dont want to get stung when i am rearranging things in my tank which is why i will be getting a six line wrasse this weekend, also please share different ways to get rid of them if you have done so

DaveMorris · Aug 7, 2014

I would never do anything to get rid of bristle worms. They are beneficial to the clean up of your sandbed. Now that is not to say that I do not keep a wrasse or two here and there, but I would never actually try to get rid of bristle worms.

eliramos · Aug 7, 2014

as long as you don't over feed and wear gloves when you handle your tank they are great at getting rid of extra food!

but a wrasse or two to keep em under control is never a bad idea!
i have seen them swarm and it can be scary! lol

760mason · Aug 7, 2014

DaveMorris said:
I would never do anything to get rid of bristle worms. They are beneficial to the clean up of your sandbed. Now that is not to say that I do not keep a wrasse or two here and there, but I would never actually try to get rid of bristle worms.

Dont touch them they will make your life suck. They are great for your tank.

footballdude2k3 · Aug 7, 2014

Love em, free CUC, have two wrasses as well over here

jweed9379 · Aug 7, 2014

They are more prone to coming out when the lights are off correct? If so then the odds of getting stung would be low considering i wont be rearranging the tank with the lights off...ive only seen maybe 5 or 6 in my tank i just really dont want them to overpopulate

homegrowncoral88 · Aug 7, 2014

Yea a vroliks wrasse or a mellanarus will help keep them at bay. I just don't like the ones that get a foot or more in length. You can pull them out at night when they come out if you want.

prsnlty · Aug 12, 2014

I've never seen them that big. I set a trap once a month for bigger ones using sea scallops and remove them. The largest one caught was 4". I have no problem with the babies. Good CUC :)

hounslow · Aug 12, 2014

I have heard that bristle worms will kill Clams, if that is the case how can I ensure my Clam does not become Bristle worm food?

ghostgr · Aug 12, 2014

I have one right now and it stays inside the rock during the day. I haven't seen him mess with anything so he will stay for now. I have a pair of gloves on the way since I first spotted him. He's maybe 3-4 inches in length. Ugly as sin but he definately loves algae.

PherPhace · Aug 12, 2014

I just lost a 4" ORA Derasa. My tank got a little on the warm side and I think that caused a couple things to get a lil sick. Not dying, just not well. They are scavengers and are attracted to anything that is not perfectly healthy. Once I got the temp down, I'm sure he would have bounced back like everything else but when I noticed it wasn't responding very fast (but it was still alive) I picked it up and bristle worms were all over the bottom. Had it for 3 months. It was healthy before that rare hot summer day in Seattle.

obxchicks · Aug 12, 2014

I have them. Always have. They do change population depending on feeding amount. I have never had any bother me or any of my tank inhabitants and they are pretty cool looking. I've done a lot of research and there is a lot of different opinions but I have been fine with them so far.

KorD · Aug 12, 2014

No problems with them in my tanks. They are fun to watch, and if you do get stuck by one sooner or later. Wash your hand with vinegar. It will take the sting away.