What eats them??? I heard of arrow crabs?? Will these crabs do okay in a reef?
Caleb
Boogiechillin
12-03-2002, 10:07 PM
Actually, bristleworms are great, beneficial scavengers. They are the most active, behind-the-scene cleaners in most reef tanks. Understand that the term "bristleworm" can be used to describe literally thousands of species of polychaete (segmented) worms. Of these thousands, a handful are irritating or minor pests, and this handful gives the whole lot an undeserved bad reputation. All things considered, you are much better off letting the bristleworms stay.
But, to answer your question, arrow crabs are definitely NOT reef safe - they will happily pick at sessile inverts, like feather dusters. However, they will eat bristleworms in the absence of other things to eat.
JustPhish
12-04-2002, 2:04 PM
Some dottybacks eat them.