Is this worm safe?

mnestroy · 11/23/2006, 09:55 PM

So today for the first time in 6 months I turn off all the power to my tank for maintance and withen seconds it was very weird, I saw all these worms crawling out of the rocks....

I'm pretty sure they are okay, but just wanted to make sure they are harmless..

Also why would they all come out at once when I turned off all the power? (you can see 3 alone in this one pic, and bg one in pic was 5 inches)

Randall_James · 11/23/2006, 09:57 PM

looks like a pretty typical bristleworm

aquamn1999 · 11/23/2006, 10:08 PM

typical harmless bristleworm

GregEMT · 11/23/2006, 10:20 PM

They are good at cleaning the tank up.

Maybe when you turned the power off the could smell food better? That's just an idea.

drummereef · 11/23/2006, 11:27 PM

Bristleworm. They are good. Just don't pick it up with your bare hands!

mnestroy · 11/23/2006, 11:30 PM

Okay cool..

Yah I was just super surprised, cause i've seen small ones at night or when i've lifted a rock, but I've never seen 10 of them all come out at once and this one was huge.....

I never imagined such a large worm could live in the center of a 'solid looking' rock

saltman123 · 11/24/2006, 12:20 AM

I have a ton and like them. They are constantly eating algae and sifting sand.

I vote to keep them

After you get over their ugly appearance, they are cool.

ERICinFL · 11/24/2006, 12:58 AM

If you want to keep them, make sure you don't add a Coral Banded Shrimp to your tank. I have seen mine wrestle a few and win. About a week ago, my CBS took down a two inch worm and enjoyed the meal.

Randall_James · 11/24/2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mnestroy
Okay cool..

Yah I was just super surprised, cause i've seen small ones at night or when i've lifted a rock, but I've never seen 10 of them all come out at once and this one was huge.....

I never imagined such a large worm could live in the center of a 'solid looking' rock

Rock has a lot of holes in it for them. I have one that is about 12" long and 1/4 inch wide that lives in a rock. He comes out to feed with the fish every day.

I have seen estimates that as many as 2000 can live in a 3 pound rock and never rub elbows...

saltman123 · 11/25/2006, 11:38 AM

I would agree and say that TONS can live in just a little rock. When I was going through my cycle I saw hundreds all over the place. Lately I only see a few but my guess is that they are still tucked away in that rock.

Word to the wise, USE GLOVES when touching live rock!

11/23/2006, 09:55 PM	#1
mnestroy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 2,216	Is this worm safe? So today for the first time in 6 months I turn off all the power to my tank for maintance and withen seconds it was very weird, I saw all these worms crawling out of the rocks.... I'm pretty sure they are okay, but just wanted to make sure they are harmless.. Also why would they all come out at once when I turned off all the power? (you can see 3 alone in this one pic, and bg one in pic was 5 inches)

11/23/2006, 09:57 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	looks like a pretty typical bristleworm __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

11/23/2006, 11:27 PM	#5
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Bristleworm. They are good. Just don't pick it up with your bare hands! __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

11/24/2006, 12:20 AM	#7
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	I have a ton and like them. They are constantly eating algae and sifting sand. I vote to keep them After you get over their ugly appearance, they are cool. __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod

11/24/2006, 12:58 AM	#8
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	If you want to keep them, make sure you don't add a Coral Banded Shrimp to your tank. I have seen mine wrestle a few and win. About a week ago, my CBS took down a two inch worm and enjoyed the meal. __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

11/23/2006, 10:08 PM	#3
aquamn1999 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 155	typical harmless bristleworm

11/23/2006, 10:20 PM	#4
GregEMT Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 134	They are good at cleaning the tank up. Maybe when you turned the power off the could smell food better? That's just an idea.

11/23/2006, 11:30 PM	#6
mnestroy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 2,216	Okay cool.. Yah I was just super surprised, cause i've seen small ones at night or when i've lifted a rock, but I've never seen 10 of them all come out at once and this one was huge..... I never imagined such a large worm could live in the center of a 'solid looking' rock

11/25/2006, 11:38 AM	#10
saltman123 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: CT Posts: 1,048	I would agree and say that TONS can live in just a little rock. When I was going through my cycle I saw hundreds all over the place. Lately I only see a few but my guess is that they are still tucked away in that rock. Word to the wise, USE GLOVES when touching live rock! __________________ 12 Gallon Aquapod. 4 Gallon Pico-Coming Soon Current Tank Info: 12 Gallon Aquapod