Could I get an ID on this critter?

[mikebusc]

First time I saw this in my tank. I’m sure someone knows what this is. Friend or foe?

 

[DD0513]

Looks to be a bristle worm....they are good cleaners....some don't like them because they can be unsightly. There bristles can get in your skin and cause some irritation as well. They are beneficial to have in your tank though, but they can really infest it if there is a lot of detritus and no predator to get them. Several fish and inverts hunt them, especially, small ones. I have not had a tank that didn't have them to some extent. It's hard to not get them if you use real live rock.

 

[DD0513]

 

[mikebusc]

Looks to be a bristle worm....they are good cleaners....some don't like them because they can be unsightly. There bristles can get in your skin and cause some irritation as well. They are beneficial to have in your tank though, but they can really infest it if there is a lot of detritus and no predator to get them. Several fish and inverts hunt them, especially, small ones. I have not had a tank that didn't have them to some extent. It's hard to not get them if you use real live rock.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[BonnieB]

I have a couple of pretty good sized ones. They are part of the CUC in my tank and as long as I don’t get an infestation, I don’t mind them. I have a six line wrasse to keep from getting an infestation. He handles the babies before they become big!!

 

[mikebusc]

More CUC is right up my alley