ID help: Fireworm or Bristleworm

[ScottJazz]

Thought these were bristleworms but I’ve had small fish losses recently (pink streaked wrasse and a small female dusky fairy wrasse). Rock is ocean sourced from the Gulf of Mexico. What do you all think?

*the two pics are of different specimens in the tank.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

Fireworm pictured below…they tend to be fatter and have the red bristles- hard to determine in your photo…I have a mix in my tank. I just don’t go grabbing things indiscriminately

This one got cut in half while I tried to remove it…it was a big boy

Cup o bristle lol- got adventurous and started removing some…and no it did not really make a dent in the population

Best in tank photo I could find of regular bristles

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

All the photos above are common bristleworms/fireworms and are beneficial detritovores.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

This is the type of fireworm you want to avoid.

Hermodice carunculata

 

[Reefing_addiction]

This is the type of fireworm you want to avoid.

Hermodice carunculata

I believe the one you have pictured is a bearded fireworm.

There are about 10,000 species are described in this class.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I believe the one you have pictured is a bearded fireworm.

There are about 10,000 species are described in this class.

Yes, Hermodice carunculata is the bearded fireworm, a predatory species that eats coral.

As you pointed out, there are many critters that are "bristleworms" or "fireworms"; very few that find their way into our tanks are a problem.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

Yes, Hermodice carunculata is the bearded fireworm, a carnivore that eats coral.

As you pointed out, there are many critters that are "bristleworms" or "fireworms"; very few that find their way into our tanks are a problem.

Unless you get true live rock you are correct

 

[Reefing_addiction]

And other fireworms
May or may not eat corals but don’t recommend touching any of them

 

[ScottJazz]

Update: Seems like I must just have large bristle worms (I know they get much larger). I've got some tongs on order that I'll be using to pluck them out by enticing them with food.

I was viewing the tank in the middle of the night with a red light and spotted a crab that has a body of 3/4" and was about 2" side to side with it's legs/claws. This is likely the culprit for the small fish loses. Next step will be to deploy some glass traps.

 

[Reefing_addiction]

Update: Seems like I must just have large bristle worms (I know they get much larger). I've got some tongs on order that I'll be using to pluck them out by enticing them with food.

I was viewing the tank in the middle of the night with a red light and spotted a crab that has a body of 3/4" and was about 2" side to side with it's legs/claws. This is likely the culprit for the small fish loses. Next step will be to deploy some glass traps.

Tongs may not work….


Plastic bottle with food in it is quick and cheap …I’ve caught a few that way

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