to add a bristle worm or not?

maxdout · 07/27/2006, 12:05 AM

i just got a bristle worm from a member. he's pretty big, bout 2 inches. pretty scary looking. but anyhow, was wondering if it was good to throw him into my 100 gal tank. here is what i have right now, some soft corals, 1 fire shrimp, 1 cleaner shrimp, 3 clowns and some turbo snails. would this guy help me out or ruin my stuff. my tank has been setup for 5 months now. any info would be great. thanks

Dubbin1 · 07/27/2006, 12:19 AM

My guess is that you already have plenty of BW's in your tank. Anyway, they are a good thing to have and help in keeping the tank clean.

newreefbishop · 07/27/2006, 06:45 AM

He would help yes, but population can grow like crazy if you over feed etc. The population waxes and wanes as long as they are in balance they are good. I have a few in my tank dont seem to hurt anything.

Shariesue · 07/27/2006, 08:08 AM

What do BW's look like exactly? I have worms in my tank and can't be sure what they are. They are pink with lots of little legs. They seem to hide in the rock or under the sand whenever the lights come on. Don't know where they came from but I have way too many and don't know how to rid my tank of them. Someone suggested a trap which we've tried but only catch a few each time.

Sk8r · 07/27/2006, 08:20 AM

Shariesue, those probably aren't legs---they're spines. I have probably over a cupful of them in my 52, including 4 ten-inchers, and they're valuable---in the rare event something large dies [I lost a really huge snail out of reach] they're cleaned and gone by morning.

SeanySean · 07/27/2006, 05:29 PM

add him in there, I have hundreds of them and two that are aroun 10" those are grey in colour, they go mad at feeding time

Shariesue · 07/28/2006, 04:50 AM

Oh wow thanks so much for telling me this! I've been so worried about these worms and they give me the creeps (LOL). Are they these bristle ones people talk about?? I was so afraid they would take over my tank eventually. My fish seem OK but still "knowledge is power" as they say. I still don't know where they came from because I haven't added a thing to my tank in over a year. Your replies were greatly appreciated!!!

07/27/2006, 12:05 AM	#1
maxdout Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: elk grove Posts: 1,098	to add a bristle worm or not? i just got a bristle worm from a member. he's pretty big, bout 2 inches. pretty scary looking. but anyhow, was wondering if it was good to throw him into my 100 gal tank. here is what i have right now, some soft corals, 1 fire shrimp, 1 cleaner shrimp, 3 clowns and some turbo snails. would this guy help me out or ruin my stuff. my tank has been setup for 5 months now. any info would be great. thanks

07/27/2006, 06:45 AM	#3
newreefbishop Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,787	He would help yes, but population can grow like crazy if you over feed etc. The population waxes and wanes as long as they are in balance they are good. I have a few in my tank dont seem to hurt anything. __________________ Its not just a hobby, it's a lifestyle!!!! The 65 is gone the 110 is in, click the red house for the 110. *Updated Current Tank Info: 110 gal R/R AGA with 40 gallon DIY fuge/sump, 2 AI Sol Blue LED modules, RKL system, Vortech Powerheads, Softies, LPS and SPS. Fox Face, Coral Beauty, Goby, a mated pair of Midnight Black Photon Clowns, BTA, Sebae and small critters everywhere

07/27/2006, 08:20 AM	#5
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Shariesue, those probably aren't legs---they're spines. I have probably over a cupful of them in my 52, including 4 ten-inchers, and they're valuable---in the rare event something large dies [I lost a really huge snail out of reach] they're cleaned and gone by morning. __________________ 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%.

07/27/2006, 05:29 PM	#6
SeanySean Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manchester (UK) Posts: 885	add him in there, I have hundreds of them and two that are aroun 10" those are grey in colour, they go mad at feeding time __________________ _______________ You paid how much for moldy rock!!!! Current Tank Info: 130G http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1042110

07/27/2006, 12:19 AM	#2
Dubbin1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Findlay, Ohio Posts: 11,540	My guess is that you already have plenty of BW's in your tank. Anyway, they are a good thing to have and help in keeping the tank clean.

07/27/2006, 08:08 AM	#4
Shariesue Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 56	What do BW's look like exactly? I have worms in my tank and can't be sure what they are. They are pink with lots of little legs. They seem to hide in the rock or under the sand whenever the lights come on. Don't know where they came from but I have way too many and don't know how to rid my tank of them. Someone suggested a trap which we've tried but only catch a few each time.

07/28/2006, 04:50 AM	#7
Shariesue Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Upstate New York Posts: 56	Oh wow thanks so much for telling me this! I've been so worried about these worms and they give me the creeps (LOL). Are they these bristle ones people talk about?? I was so afraid they would take over my tank eventually. My fish seem OK but still "knowledge is power" as they say. I still don't know where they came from because I haven't added a thing to my tank in over a year. Your replies were greatly appreciated!!!