Will arrow crab eat large britsle worms? What about gobies?

fantastic4 · 05/17/2006, 01:46 PM

Are ther any gobies that will take on large bristle worms? I think the arrow crab will be scared off by a 8+" worm or will it?

Some of those gobies pack a huge mouth, would they tackle a large worm?

spoiledcats · 05/17/2006, 01:57 PM

The only fish I know of that eats bristle worms is an orchid dottyback. But I can't see it eating one that is 8" long. I don't even know if my orchid dottyback actually eats any bristle worms. I never see it eat any, even when there is one an inch from its nose.

AdidaKev · 05/17/2006, 02:17 PM

Is there any way you can manually remove it? That may be your best option.

For a different view, bristleworms are actually pretty beneficial to your tank. They are good sand bed stirrers. If you don't mind it being there, it shouldn't really do any harm.

fantastic4 · 05/17/2006, 02:18 PM

that's so funny, lol. I know! My orchid dottyback seems to wait for my Mysis shrimp feedings and refuses to touch the worms.

So far my Key Hole angel is the only guy that will eat those worms, but he only likes the babies.

I really am at war with the big ones, my wife hates them, and I just think they are ugly as heck. I know i know.... all the good points about worms... but I hate looking at giant sized worms with spikes and they are so agressive also.

I have large hermit crabs that ignore them 1/2 from their mouth.

I may have to make a trap.

fantastic4 · 05/17/2006, 02:21 PM

AdidaKev, I agree with you on the sand bed, they are awesome at ensuring the bed is moving (the small ones do this), however, big ones have burrows in rocks and are very agressve.

spoiledcats · 05/17/2006, 02:27 PM

Yeah, I bought both the arrow crab and the orchid dottyback to put a dent in my bristleworm population, and I've never seen either one eat any!

And my dottyback loves those mysis shrimp too! I just live with the big worms as long as they don't bother my corals. I don't have, or at least haven't seen any 8" long though. Good luck with those babies!

05/17/2006, 01:46 PM	#1
fantastic4 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 662	Will arrow crab eat large britsle worms? What about gobies? Are ther any gobies that will take on large bristle worms? I think the arrow crab will be scared off by a 8+" worm or will it? Some of those gobies pack a huge mouth, would they tackle a large worm?

05/17/2006, 02:17 PM	#3
AdidaKev Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NA Posts: 624	Is there any way you can manually remove it? That may be your best option. For a different view, bristleworms are actually pretty beneficial to your tank. They are good sand bed stirrers. If you don't mind it being there, it shouldn't really do any harm. __________________ ... Current Tank Info: NA

05/17/2006, 01:57 PM	#2
spoiledcats Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lehigh Valley Posts: 622	The only fish I know of that eats bristle worms is an orchid dottyback. But I can't see it eating one that is 8" long. I don't even know if my orchid dottyback actually eats any bristle worms. I never see it eat any, even when there is one an inch from its nose.

05/17/2006, 02:18 PM	#4
fantastic4 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 662	that's so funny, lol. I know! My orchid dottyback seems to wait for my Mysis shrimp feedings and refuses to touch the worms. So far my Key Hole angel is the only guy that will eat those worms, but he only likes the babies. I really am at war with the big ones, my wife hates them, and I just think they are ugly as heck. I know i know.... all the good points about worms... but I hate looking at giant sized worms with spikes and they are so agressive also. I have large hermit crabs that ignore them 1/2 from their mouth. I may have to make a trap.

05/17/2006, 02:21 PM	#5
fantastic4 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 662	AdidaKev, I agree with you on the sand bed, they are awesome at ensuring the bed is moving (the small ones do this), however, big ones have burrows in rocks and are very agressve.

05/17/2006, 02:27 PM	#6
spoiledcats Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lehigh Valley Posts: 622	Yeah, I bought both the arrow crab and the orchid dottyback to put a dent in my bristleworm population, and I've never seen either one eat any! And my dottyback loves those mysis shrimp too! I just live with the big worms as long as they don't bother my corals. I don't have, or at least haven't seen any 8" long though. Good luck with those babies!