Fireworms vs bristols... Help a newbie please

Tecnomantis · 09/21/2016, 03:49 AM

Folks, I got about a million of these things.
1. Is there an invertebrate that eats them? Or fish?
2. Is it good or bad?

I am freaking out. I saw 3 when I git the rock but when the lights are out I saw like 20.

If you can tell me what the yellow think is, appreciate it!! Thanks seriously!

Sk8r · 09/21/2016, 08:12 AM

They're ordinary bristleworms, friends to your tank---especially if you're overfeeding. If you have a lot of them, it's because they have way plenty to eat, and removing them could cause an ammonia spike (from the decay of what they're eating) and kill your tank.

Slow down on the food. A fish only needs to fill its mouth once a day to survive (a few like that spread out several times during the day) and can go two weeks without eating. If there's not so much food the worms will gradually die back to a reasonable number.

Wear gloves when handling rocks where they live: it's kinder to your hands--and the worms.

09/21/2016, 03:49 AM	#1
Tecnomantis Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Costa Rica Posts: 18	Fireworms vs bristols... Help a newbie please Folks, I got about a million of these things. 1. Is there an invertebrate that eats them? Or fish? 2. Is it good or bad? I am freaking out. I saw 3 when I git the rock but when the lights are out I saw like 20. If you can tell me what the yellow think is, appreciate it!! Thanks seriously! __________________ Custom made 33 gallon, on the back filter with Hydro nano protein skimmer, Ai sol lights, small fuge, heater and media reactor Current Tank Info: 33 gallon acrylic custom mande, all in one, hydro skimmer, media reactor, small chamber with algae and bioballs

09/21/2016, 08:12 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	They're ordinary bristleworms, friends to your tank---especially if you're overfeeding. If you have a lot of them, it's because they have way plenty to eat, and removing them could cause an ammonia spike (from the decay of what they're eating) and kill your tank. Slow down on the food. A fish only needs to fill its mouth once a day to survive (a few like that spread out several times during the day) and can go two weeks without eating. If there's not so much food the worms will gradually die back to a reasonable number. Wear gloves when handling rocks where they live: it's kinder to your hands--and the worms. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.