Bristle worms

liquidcowboy · 02/23/2010, 10:05 AM

I just started a new 75gal tank and I just finished putting all the rock in, and this morning I turn the lights on and I see a worm which I am pretty sure is a bristle worm crawling around. My concern is that there are more and I was wondering if anyone could help me out and tell me how to catch and remove these?

Sk8r · 02/23/2010, 10:06 AM

Beneficial, free cleanup crew. Do NOT remove them. They'll burrow deep in your rock and survive the cycle, very likely. They're downright essential to a good healthy tank.

liquidcowboy · 02/23/2010, 10:11 AM

Thanks for the info. I was told they are harmful and will eventually attack fish, so I decided to come on here and ask for more opinions than to just take one persons advice from a local shop

rssjsb · 02/23/2010, 10:25 AM

Well, it's now two to one - Sk8r is right.

orion1 · 02/23/2010, 10:31 AM

I have never heard of them attacking fish I have them in my tank and they have caused no problems

jrp1588 · 02/23/2010, 10:35 AM

they are fine, just don't touch them. I haven't gotten stung yet, but I'm told they hurt. As a precaution I recently picked up some coralife aquagloves.

footballdude2k3 · 02/23/2010, 10:41 AM

i heard the bristles get stuck and they hurt

moneytimetycoon · 02/23/2010, 10:58 AM

That sting is the only downside. I havent got stung yet and Ive been scrubbing bubble algae on 75% for my rocks for 3 weeks. They usually hide at the first sign of trouble.

SwampyBill · 02/23/2010, 11:28 AM

I agree, bristleworms=good inhabitants in tank. Do NOT remove, but don't touch, either.

02/23/2010, 10:05 AM	#1
liquidcowboy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hallandale Beach, Fl Posts: 552	Bristle worms I just started a new 75gal tank and I just finished putting all the rock in, and this morning I turn the lights on and I see a worm which I am pretty sure is a bristle worm crawling around. My concern is that there are more and I was wondering if anyone could help me out and tell me how to catch and remove these?

02/23/2010, 10:06 AM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Beneficial, free cleanup crew. Do NOT remove them. They'll burrow deep in your rock and survive the cycle, very likely. They're downright essential to a good healthy tank. __________________ 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%.

02/23/2010, 10:11 AM	#3
liquidcowboy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Hallandale Beach, Fl Posts: 552	Thanks for the info. I was told they are harmful and will eventually attack fish, so I decided to come on here and ask for more opinions than to just take one persons advice from a local shop

02/23/2010, 10:25 AM	#4
rssjsb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,243	Well, it's now two to one - Sk8r is right.

02/23/2010, 10:31 AM	#5
orion1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 54	I have never heard of them attacking fish I have them in my tank and they have caused no problems

02/23/2010, 10:35 AM	#6
jrp1588 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 1,864	they are fine, just don't touch them. I haven't gotten stung yet, but I'm told they hurt. As a precaution I recently picked up some coralife aquagloves.

02/23/2010, 10:41 AM	#7
footballdude2k3 Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,974	i heard the bristles get stuck and they hurt

02/23/2010, 10:58 AM	#8
moneytimetycoon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Antioch, CA (The Lesser East Bay) Posts: 123	That sting is the only downside. I havent got stung yet and Ive been scrubbing bubble algae on 75% for my rocks for 3 weeks. They usually hide at the first sign of trouble.

02/23/2010, 11:28 AM	#9
SwampyBill Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: St. Pete, FL. Posts: 2,369	I agree, bristleworms=good inhabitants in tank. Do NOT remove, but don't touch, either.