bristleworm questions

[greer3n]

so i did some research on bristle worms because i saw one in my tank it was about 3 to 4 inches long and got some info that told me that they were bad ,and can grow really big really fast. another source told me that they aren't bad and that, The predatory ones usually only consume other worms, detritus, bacteria, algae, micro-crustaceans and other things. and that the "Caribbean Hermodice carunculata bristleworm" is the only one that causes damage and they are rarely found in aquariumsdue to the small amount of Caribbean rock used in our tanks.

I need other peoples advice on this, is it bad, should i take it out?
or should i leave it in there?

thanks, Jess

[OoNickoC]

They myth of the evil bristle worm is dying as it should. They are excellent scavangers and even the VERY large ones keep all the impossible to reach nooks and crannies clean. Alot of newcomers and even some who considerthemselves vets lable them bad...for the reason that when something is dead/dying they will consume it. They usually are unattentive and think that the animal being consuimed was healthy, and then correlate the bristle worms with eating things they shouldnt. As you stated the ones that actually consume reef critters we pay for are very rare. Working in LFS's and on reef systems for years now I've still yet to witness any negative behavior from them. I should of just said " They are good"...

[greer3n]

considering iv just spotted another one lol, thats really good news :-)
thanks for the feedback!

[geekdafied]

*agrees with nick

[Urban_s]

Good to know!

[Birchell]

I agree!!! They are very good, if you keep a dottyback, or a bristle star they will keep the population in check.

[My2heartboys]

Originally Posted by greer3n

so i did some research on bristle worms because i saw one in my tank it was about 3 to 4 inches long and got some info that told me that they were bad ,and can grow really big really fast. another source told me that they aren't bad and that, The predatory ones usually only consume other worms, detritus, bacteria, algae, micro-crustaceans and other things. and that the "Caribbean Hermodice carunculata bristleworm" is the only one that causes damage and they are rarely found in aquariumsdue to the small amount of Caribbean rock used in our tanks.

I need other peoples advice on this, is it bad, should i take it out?
or should i leave it in there?

thanks, Jess

The common bristle worm is OK. Quite a few months ago I noticed that quite a few of my bristle worms were looking a little too fat and healthy so.....I went hunting. Pulled out most of the fat healthy ones and now have mostly small skinny short ones. If you decide to pull them out, use tweezers. Don't handle with your bare hands unless you want fingertips full of bristles.

I tend to use the 2/$1 tweezers from Walgreens. This way when they get lost or rusted....it is no sweat throwing them away.

Anne

[inwall75]

Hey Anne,

Haven't seen you in a while. How are your boys doing?

[OoNickoC]

"Common" bristle works are beyond ok, they play a critical role in keeping a reef alive. There are more than a few mature ones in my nano cube that are around 6-7" in length. Do your reef a favor and leave them be as youll be causing immediate pgysical damage by removing them, more so than a bristle worm is ever likley to cause.

[My2heartboys]

Originally Posted by inwall75

Hey Anne,

Haven't seen you in a while. How are your boys doing?

So far so good. The older one just got promoted in JROTC. They are both enjoying a weekend at the grandparents at the moment. Dr. is still keeping a close eye on their hearts still.

Anne