My bristleworm

ragc

AC Members
Dec 4, 2005
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Atlanta, GA
I first saw him about two months ago. I set traps for him for a week, but he would not fall... Read up on bristleworms and found out they are ok...decided to keep him. The photo was taken after dark, with flash. The worm is 1 1/2" long.

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:) That's a tiny guy! I pulled one out of the 120 reef during tear down that was about 12 inches long. I think they are great to have around, and never had any problems with mine getting out of hand or harming any of the fish or corals. Bare hand handling is risky--they never bothered the tips of my fingers, but if it hit the sides, or my wrist, it itched like crazy until I soaked in vinegar.
 
It is going to be interesting when I start my SW aquarium. Sounds like you can get many guests hitching rides.
 
Long for a 10! :)

" That's a tiny guy! I pulled one out of the 120 reef during tear down that was about 12 inches long."

12/120=0.1 10/1.5=0.15 The proportion to tank size is virtually the same! Would lenght be limited by tank size, or will this one continue to grow? Also...I've read they reproduce fast...is it sexual reproduction or can one reproduce by itself? :confused:

"It is going to be interesting when I start my SW aquarium. Sounds like you can get many guests hitching rides."

The freebies are the most fun! I also have a burrowing clam and several micro stars! Had feather dusters and a Vermatid snail, but my bumblebee snail ate them...
 
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ragc said:
Would lenght be limited by tank size, or will this one continue to grow?

it's not going to stop growing :)
I have a 33 gallon marine and have pulled out worms that are well over 12 inches. They grow quickly too! I don't mind the small ones, but once they start getting more than 5 or 6 inches I pull them out
 
Shrimps hunt mine down and make quick meals, then the fish come along to see whats up.
 
Bristleworms

How funny, I just posted about my Mr. B. to another thread about what scares you in your tank. So far this guy hasn't bothered anyone that I know of so I'm hoping the reason he's gotten so big is because he's a good tank janitor. I have a 55g and I've never seen the end of him, but I guess he's a good 6".

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Mr.B looks good!

Yes, that is my hope too. Everything I read said they are good tank cleaners, and beneficial, so I'm letting mine be. Funny, right after I took the photo that started this post the Astrea snail shown close to the worm went right up to it. I did not see any reaction from either, the snail being stung or the worm getting startled. I guess they get along fine!
 
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