Quick Honey, Get the Flame Thrower! Bristle worms...Love or Hate?

[AlyciaMarie]

Against my will, I've been forced to think about some of the creepy crawlers we find in our reefs (if you know, you know ). I would certainly put bristle worms in this category. Although they aren't particularly pleasant looking, they can be valuable members of your reef, specifically as members of the CUC. But if you're like me, you don't care how beneficial they are. Grab the flame thrower!

Bristle Worms...Love or Hate?

I bet I know how @BristleWormHater is going to vote...

 

[Timfish]

They're important scavengers but if I can see them there are too many and I'm happy to reduce their numbers if i can.

 

[shakacuz]

as long as i don't see them, i don't mind them.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I already offered up my services, give me a call

 

[exnisstech]

When I find them I put them back. I even moved some from one tank to the sump of my new tank when I started it.
They're so cute

 

[AlyciaMarie]

When I find them I put them back. I even moved some from one tank to the sump of my new tank when I started it.
They're so cute

 

[Crabs McJones]

When I find them I put them back. I even moved some from one tank to the sump of my new tank when I started it.
They're so cute

YOU'RE TOUCHING IT WITH BARE HANDS!

 

[exnisstech]

YOU'RE TOUCHING IT WITH BARE HANDS!

Yes sir and I got bristles in my finger. 35 years of wrenching and never wearing gloves gave me thick skin lol. TBO itch weed I got into as a child is much worse than bristles from one of these critters.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Yes sir and I got bristles in my finger. 35 years of wrenching and never wearing gloves gave me thick skin lol. TBO itch weed I got into as a child is much worse than bristles from one of these critters.

35 years of wrenching, NICE! You've got 15 years on me lol

 

[exnisstech]

35 years of wrenching, NICE! You've got 15 years on me lol

I don't envy you. The money's decent and I was never unemployed my entire career unless I chose to be so there that. I just got tired of all the tech so I bailed at 62. I was an EV guy also and didn't appreciate working with 440v DC and getting an hourly rate not much more than guys hanging brakes. The clientele is so much different now also. Too much me me me when they're rolling intertainment center won't let little Billy watch a DVD and they think it's the end of the world. Sorry I'm rambling. Back to your regular programming lol.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I don't envy you. The money's decent and I was never unemployed my entire career unless I chose to be so there that. I just got tired of all the tech so I bailed at 62. I was an EV guy also and didn't appreciate working with 440v DC and getting an hourly rate not much more than guys hanging brakes. The clientele is so much different now also. Too much me me me when they're rolling intertainment center won't let little Billy watch a DVD and they think it's the end of the world. Sorry I'm rambling. Back to your regular programming lol.

I got extremely lucky where I am. Small mom and pop shop. I get paid good, and we don't get involved with EV vehicles lol

 

[Gumbies R Us]

(Insert bristle worm where the potato is)

 

[JayM]

Yes sir and I got bristles in my finger. 35 years of wrenching and never wearing gloves gave me thick skin lol. TBO itch weed I got into as a child is much worse than bristles from one of these critters.

I'm in the same boat. My wife still cringes when I grab stuff off the stove or out of the oven without a mitt when it's entirely too hot for her to even touch.

 

[Just John]

I hate them so much. Something mysteriously ate the centers out of all my Ricordia mushrooms and killed them in just a few days. I caught these going for another mushroom after camping out in front of the tank half of the night. Removed them and the slaughter ended. About 10 Ricordia were gone. It's a never ending battle.
The victims:

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

It’s like having an exotic pet like a lion for instance. It’s ok when it’s a small cub but as soon as it starts growing to an adult it’s gotta go.

 

[steveschuerger]

I’ve come to the conclusion that they’re an important part of the cuc though if I see an extra large one I’ll try to remove(largest I found was a foot long when stretched out).

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

I don't really care about them. As long as their population is kept in check, they're fine with me.

 

[andrew1yang]

Against my will, I've been forced to think about some of the creepy crawlers we find in our reefs (if you know, you know ). I would certainly put bristle worms in this category. Although they aren't particularly pleasant looking, they can be valuable members of your reef, specifically as members of the CUC. But if you're like me, you don't care how beneficial they are. Grab the flame thrower!

Bristle Worms...Love or Hate?

I bet I know how @BristleWormHater is going to vote...

As long as it’s not the one that eats my coral they’re good scavengers for clean up crew

 

[dvgyfresh]

If they remain good citizens all pests are welcome to stay. I once saw one eating the GSP / some of my LPS - they get the 1000 years sump sentence. I also like to buy arrow crabs / wrasse to ensure they stay in check

 

[crahan]

I don't envy you. The money's decent and I was never unemployed my entire career unless I chose to be so there that. I just got tired of all the tech so I bailed at 62. I was an EV guy also and didn't appreciate working with 440v DC and getting an hourly rate not much more than guys hanging brakes. The clientele is so much different now also. Too much me me me when they're rolling intertainment center won't let little Billy watch a DVD and they think it's the end of the world. Sorry I'm rambling. Back to your regular programming lol.

You are the perfect candidate for a vintage VW shop. There is at least one in every town. Old technology, old (and respectful) clientele, flex schedules and really, really chill.