Bristle worms.

[Angel 0249]

Was just wondering what other peoples opinion are on Bristleworm.

Do you keep them in your tank,or do you remove them?
Are they good or bad to have in the tank.

I spotted on last night coming out of my rock and almost freaked out.:eek:
So your opinions would be gratefully appreciated.

If you remove them how on earth do you catch them?

Thanks.

[Reefscape]

Hi Angie...

Bristle worms are of quite good value to the marine aquarium and they should be left in there..They are a free added bonus to the tanks clean up crew.

Niko

[Angel 0249]

Thanks atnixon.
Do they do any harm to the corals?

[Reefscape]

no they dont...there is another type of worm, very similar to bristle worms, called Fireworms. They can have a tendancy to much on corals, and my opinion, should be removed...i have attached a picture so you can see the difference...shall not attach one of a bristle worm, as you already know what that looks like now....Fireworms pack a powerfull sting aswell and, as such, should not be removed with the hands and tongs or tweezers should be used...and believe me, they hurt...

Niko

[TropicalNorth]

From what I can tell bristleworms make great scavengers, they eat all the uneaten food etc. Some nights I'd get the torch out and the bristleworms would be (what looked like) scavenging around the tank not bothering anything.

My 20g nano had 2 fairly large bristleworms. I say had because my Falco Hawkfish killed one (and ate it) and managed to get spiked in the process (he was fine). There were bristles scattered all over the tank for weeks afterwards, a few managed to get stuck in my hand they weren't painful just irritating. The spikes on bristleworms are just hollow tubes, no poison or anything.

The remaining bristleworm is over 4 inches long and has never bothered any of my fish or corals, although I think its living on borrowed time with the Hawkfish around :).

Hawkfish with bristleworm spike in his fin.

[Reefscape]

Awsome shot due !!!!

Niko

[Germanman]

i keep my bristle worms. they do great clean up jobs. i have one that is over 12 inches form what i can see.

[kay-bee]

Germanman,

What's the approx diameter of that 12" bristleworm?

[Germanman]

Germanman,

What's the approx diameter of that 12" bristleworm?
when streched about .25 inches. when relaxed about 6/8th"