Question about fireworms and bristle worms

SandyB · 10/08/2013, 07:23 AM

I have a couple, but it's difficult for me to tell if I have the kind that are ok to have or if I have the not so desirable ones. I can't really get a good pic of them because I only see them after lights out. I have known they were there for a while and I've been watching them. They don't seem to bother my goby, apparently they share the same rock. I have tried to match them with pics on the hitchhiker guide, but they are just too similar to really tell. Is there something particular I can look for?
Thanks, I just don't want them to hurt my little Herbert. I love that little goby.

TankStudy · 10/08/2013, 07:27 AM

Fireworms are pretty red, while bristle worms from my experience are half pink and have black or blue like.

Sugar Magnolia · 10/08/2013, 09:18 AM

Sandy, it's pretty uncommon to have an actual fireworm in our tanks. Check this out - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1991836

SandyB · 10/08/2013, 11:35 AM

Thanks for the link. I am gonna have to keep watching these things. The ones I have, look so much like that pic. I don't have any coral except a bubble coral right now, and they don't seem to bother it. I tried to take a pic, but's it's pretty crappy, I'll keep trying until I can get a good ID on these things. I know I have at least 2 cause I saw 2 last night.

Psicloner · 10/08/2013, 11:43 AM

midnight worm hunting mission!

SandyB · 10/09/2013, 05:54 AM

Ok I got a pic, it's not very good, but it's a pic. I think this is a bad guy.

Sugar Magnolia · 10/09/2013, 06:13 AM

Unfortunately it's too blurry to tell. Need a clear, sharp image of the body, and more specifically, the head. Next time you see it, grab it with some gloved hands and place it in a clear or white container with some tank water and get some more images.

Until then, have a look through here - http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html

SandyB · 10/09/2013, 06:55 AM

Thanks, I was afraid of that. I'll check the link.

ca1ore · 10/09/2013, 08:42 AM

I have literally dozens of worms like that in my display tank, and none of them are doing any damage. In fact, in almost 25 years of reefing I have had one confirmed fireworm .... ONE! Best approach is to wait until your tank lights are out, inspect things with a flashlight, and if you see one of these worms actually feeding on a coral, then remove it. Otherwise, let them be. Bristles are some of the best creatures you can have for your tank.

jimmyj7090 · 10/09/2013, 11:35 AM

As Sugar M said, There is a lot of paranoia about fireworms, but VERY few of them actually show up in our tanks. Unless you catch it munching on something you don't want munched on, you can pretty much assume it's an everyday bristle worm.

SandyB · 10/09/2013, 01:20 PM

So that is really what I thought, until I decided to be worried that they would hurt my goby, since I see them all at the same place. But, he hasn't been bothered ever and I know the worms have been there for a while. I'll just go back to not worrying lol

robotman · 10/10/2013, 02:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandyB

So that is really what I thought, until I decided to be worried that they would hurt my goby, since I see them all at the same place. But, he hasn't been bothered ever and I know the worms have been there for a while. I'll just go back to not worrying lol

yeah I have a bunch of bristleworms, I love when I point a flashlight on at night, and I see them all out. not very many little ones,

10/08/2013, 07:23 AM	#1
SandyB Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Corsicana, Tx Posts: 149	Question about fireworms and bristle worms I have a couple, but it's difficult for me to tell if I have the kind that are ok to have or if I have the not so desirable ones. I can't really get a good pic of them because I only see them after lights out. I have known they were there for a while and I've been watching them. They don't seem to bother my goby, apparently they share the same rock. I have tried to match them with pics on the hitchhiker guide, but they are just too similar to really tell. Is there something particular I can look for? Thanks, I just don't want them to hurt my little Herbert. I love that little goby. __________________ My tank is making someone else happy now

10/08/2013, 07:27 AM	#2
TankStudy Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 242	Fireworms are pretty red, while bristle worms from my experience are half pink and have black or blue like. __________________ Until there is sufficient evidence supporting your fish-craft, I don't agree with you.

10/08/2013, 09:18 AM	#3
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Sandy, it's pretty uncommon to have an actual fireworm in our tanks. Check this out - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1991836 __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

10/08/2013, 11:35 AM	#4
SandyB Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Corsicana, Tx Posts: 149	Thanks for the link. I am gonna have to keep watching these things. The ones I have, look so much like that pic. I don't have any coral except a bubble coral right now, and they don't seem to bother it. I tried to take a pic, but's it's pretty crappy, I'll keep trying until I can get a good ID on these things. I know I have at least 2 cause I saw 2 last night. __________________ My tank is making someone else happy now

10/09/2013, 06:13 AM	#7
Sugar Magnolia Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Northern VA Posts: 17,691	Unfortunately it's too blurry to tell. Need a clear, sharp image of the body, and more specifically, the head. Next time you see it, grab it with some gloved hands and place it in a clear or white container with some tank water and get some more images. Until then, have a look through here - http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html __________________ Adrienne The only thing to fear is fear itself....and spiders.

10/08/2013, 11:43 AM	#5
Psicloner Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Reno,NV Posts: 58	midnight worm hunting mission!

10/09/2013, 06:55 AM	#8
SandyB Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Corsicana, Tx Posts: 149	Thanks, I was afraid of that. I'll check the link. __________________ My tank is making someone else happy now

10/09/2013, 08:42 AM	#9
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	I have literally dozens of worms like that in my display tank, and none of them are doing any damage. In fact, in almost 25 years of reefing I have had one confirmed fireworm .... ONE! Best approach is to wait until your tank lights are out, inspect things with a flashlight, and if you see one of these worms actually feeding on a coral, then remove it. Otherwise, let them be. Bristles are some of the best creatures you can have for your tank.

10/09/2013, 11:35 AM	#10
jimmyj7090 aka John K Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sudbury Posts: 2,367	As Sugar M said, There is a lot of paranoia about fireworms, but VERY few of them actually show up in our tanks. Unless you catch it munching on something you don't want munched on, you can pretty much assume it's an everyday bristle worm. __________________ my reef ate my wallet Current Tank Info: 57G, RBTA's Zoa's and softies

10/09/2013, 01:20 PM	#11
SandyB Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Corsicana, Tx Posts: 149	So that is really what I thought, until I decided to be worried that they would hurt my goby, since I see them all at the same place. But, he hasn't been bothered ever and I know the worms have been there for a while. I'll just go back to not worrying lol __________________ My tank is making someone else happy now