Is this bristle worm?

[deni64k]

Hi all, I'm a newbie. I've just got macro algae and found a lot of worms in it. Are these bristle ones? Why does it have so many? I dipped it in Coral Rx; was it safe to do? Should I quarantine or leave in freshwater for some time to get rid of eggs?

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

Looks like bristle worms. They're harmless. But, could be fireworms which are harmfull, though I think they're bristle worms

 

[BonnieB]

These are common bristle worms and a part of your CUC. However, having said that, they can grow to plague proportions in nutrient dense waters. Some people love them, some hate them. I have two good sized ones in one of my tanks and a six line wrasse that takes care of any little ones that grow from them. I did have a huge one early on and trapped and got rid of it. The ones I still have have never bothered my corals and I only occasionally see them come out at night. In the fuge you’re probably okay but pick them out if you don’t want them in there.

 

[winxp_man]

Ooooo yes my favorite!

Some of mine are massive 6” worms!

 

[deni64k]

Thanks, folks!
It's been almost three months, and I am in the "ugly" stage; I'm sure they would explode in population. I'm going to refrain from them for now.
I'm generally not squeamish, but I screamed after feeling a live copepod on my finger. Can't imagine myself living with bristle worms. Also, my setup is very freshwater-y, 20 gallons, doesn't have a refugium, sump, and any overflow box. I'm considering going AIO or a sump setup, but gotta figure out my crazy-landlord situation.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

No way you,winxp_man, have 6 inch worms. My worms, the largest is only 3 inches, and I thought that was massive. Most of them are 1-2 inches. And I have a minimum of 50 bristle worms in my tank even though its just a 20 gallon tank.

 

[winxp_man]

No way you,winxp_man, have 6 inch worms. My worms, the largest is only 3 inches, and I thought that was massive. Most of them are 1-2 inches. And I have a minimum of 50 bristle worms in my tank even though its just a 20 gallon tank.

HAHA..... Mines a 150 though. So I do have some room, and the bottom of that tank is squeaky clean! Fish turds and all, go down the drain. Had a Powder Brown die from ich. about a 2.5" fish. Two days it was gone.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

HAHA..... Mines a 150 though. So I do have some room, and the bottom of that tank is squeaky clean! Fish turds and all, go down the drain. Had a Powder Brown die from ich. about a 2.5" fish. Two days it was gone.

Cool. Never heard of bristle worms having such an appetite.

 

[winxp_man]

Cool. Never heard of bristle worms having such an appetite.

They will surprise you! Haha. It they are 6”. I measured one, one time, when it was crawling around the bottom. I had a tape measure on the outside.

 

[MossyFroggyLove]

They will surprise you! Haha. It they are 6”. I measured one, one time, when it was crawling around the bottom. I had a tape measure on the outside.

Cool, I hope mine grows that big.

 

[BristleWormHater]

Common bristleworm, no Latin name because I think these are unfortunately not a described species. Dont bother with control or trying to remove them, they are inevitable.

 

[shreedowen]

Is this bristle worm harmful?

 

[winxp_man]

Is this bristle worm harmful?

Nope, they are actually good CUC.