Getting rid of bristleworms?

[starfishguy869]

I have a few long bristleworms in my tank and I would like to get rid of them. I just think that they are disgusting and am afraid that the larger ones might start going after my fish. Does anyone have any cleanup crew or ideas on getting rid of these worms. These are probably 3-5 inches across.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

They won't go after fish if they are the common bristle worm. But, an arrow crab will probably be your best option. Some types of wrasses may also eat them.

 

[exnisstech]

Something like this would probably work but I would never use it on a great cuc member like bristle worms. They don't hunt or kill fish, just feast on remains. You'll likely never get rid of all of them. I have hundreds but never see them unless I move a rock or look in the tank at night when lights are off.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Arrow crabs

 

[exnisstech]

Forgot the quote @BristleWormHater
I see looking online they may nip coral polyps and possibly go after small fish. No first hand experience tho.

 

[Liam's tank]

I had a bunch of these worms in my tank, too many to count. I added a Springeri Damsel and around a month later they were gone. I haven't seen any since. I don't think it will take care of a 3-inch worm but will definitely get rid of all the others that you probably have in your tank.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a few long bristleworms in my tank and I would like to get rid of them. I just think that they are disgusting and am afraid that the larger ones might start going after my fish. Does anyone have any cleanup crew or ideas on getting rid of these worms. These are probably 3-5 inches across.

There a couple of effective ways. . . . A homemade trap with a water bottle baited with shrimp as pictured below works as will an arrow crab or two

Arrow crab:

Bottle trap:

 

[starfishguy869]

Will arrow crabs eat other inverts or fish? I have a small clown goby in there and a pair of clowns. I’ve tried the bottle method but only had success at catching tiny bristleworms. Whenever I build up the courage to catch one myself with tweezers or tongs, they just keep slipping away into the rocks and it just starts to feel like inverts are my only option. My LFS has some smaller arrow crabs in stock and I don’t think a sixline wrasse would fit inside of a 15 gallon aquarium.