Bristleworms Question.

[Piperspop]

Hello, as my tank has developed, (2 Weeks into cycle), I’ve noticed a couple bristleworms in my rocks. My LFS said I should try to remove them using a tweezer. I have read accounts on both sides of keep em or kill em, and have no idea which to follow. Any thoughts on these critters?

 

[Reefscape]

No need to remove them, they are beneficial tank cleaners. The only variant of bristleworm to remove are fire worms..A google image search will show you the difference....I would never remove a bristleworm, unless it was absolutly huge and causing issues.

 

[Catpicklesdog]

I used to remove them until I found out how beneficial they were as part of your clean up crew. Now I leave them in.

HTH

 

[Piperspop]

After Googling the two, all I can see is they look similar. The brief moments I've seen them so far makes me believe they are harmless as they are mostly white. Without pulling one out and getting it under a microscope I am having trouble being sure. They are still very small.

 

[Reefscape]

Hopefully these two pictures will show the difference, as they are differenet..


Fireworm



Bristleworm






**Photo's belong to their respective owners

 

[Piperspop]

Bristleworms for sure. Thank you Reefscape. And also thank you for the book suggestion. Not cheap, but nothing in this hobby seems to be. That said, I am now beyond initial set up so most sticker shock is behind me for now.