Bobbit Worm and Live Rock problem

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egwich

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Hey everyone,

I have a Bobbit Worm problem. Had one a few months back so I baited a piece of cocktail shrimp underneath a cup. Saw what rock he was in and removed the rock. Cracked the rock open to make sure it was in there. Thought that was it. Then yesterday I saw another one. Removed that rock, and confirmed he was in there. I baited last night just to be sure and that piece of shrimp is ALSO in another piece of rock getting dragged in by what I imagine is another bobbit worm.

I'm going to have to remove that rock today. My question is I have a 55 gal tank and I'm losing ALOT of live rock. Do I have to eventually replace them? I'm getting worried what if all my live rock has bobbits in them...then what?

God I hate Bobbit worms
 
egwich said:
Hey everyone,

I have a Bobbit Worm problem. Had one a few months back so I baited a piece of cocktail shrimp underneath a cup. Saw what rock he was in and removed the rock. Cracked the rock open to make sure it was in there. Thought that was it. Then yesterday I saw another one. Removed that rock, and confirmed he was in there. I baited last night just to be sure and that piece of shrimp is ALSO in another piece of rock getting dragged in by what I imagine is another bobbit worm.

I'm going to have to remove that rock today. My question is I have a 55 gal tank and I'm losing ALOT of live rock. Do I have to eventually replace them? I'm getting worried what if all my live rock has bobbits in them...then what?

God I hate Bobbit worms
Click to expand...

That's quite a few of them. I've only had one encounter with one back in the nineties. It was a huge one measuring 2ft. Red light after lights out revealed that it was a eunice. It was chewing up one of my lobo's.

I did have to remove the rock. I poured hot RO/DI over the hole it was in till it dropped out into a bucket. Pulling one out with tweezers can work, but like earthworms, if they break in two, the half's will become two worms.

The rock then went back into the tank. Die off? I'm sure, but in time it regained it's bacteria.

These worms are destructive and can do serious damage to a reef and need to be removed.
 
Flippers4pups said:
That's quite a few of them. I've only had one encounter with one back in the nineties. It was a huge one measuring 2ft. Red light after lights out revealed that it was a eunice. It was chewing up one of my lobo's.

I did have to remove the rock. I poured hot RO/DI over the hole it was in till it dropped out into a bucket. Pulling one out with tweezers can work, but like earthworms, if they break in two, the half's will become two worms.

The rock then went back into the tank. Die off? I'm sure, but in time it regained it's bacteria.

These worms are destructive and can do serious damage to a reef and need to be removed.
Click to expand...

Turns out it was four. Just took this piece of live rock out, broke it open, and there were two in there. Going to continue baiting tonight to see if anymore are in there.
 
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egwich said:
Turns out it was four. Just took this piece of live rock out, broke it open, and there were two in there. Going to continue baiting tonight to see if anymore are in there.
Click to expand...

You could try a red light source after lights out. They are sensitive to light, but with red light they are less sensitive and chances are you'll see them.
 
Flippers4pups said:
You could try a red light source after lights out. They are sensitive to light, but with red light they are less sensitive and chances are you'll see them.
Click to expand...

My biggest worry is live rock. I'm probably down to 30ish lbs of live rock in my 55 gal tank. Will my tank start to crash due to lack of live rock, and should I eventually replace it once these worms are dealt with. Can I even replace them I've heard to absolutely not add rock to an established system.
 
Once you split the live rock, are the pieces big enough to add back to your tank? If it is not all rubble, then you should still have bacteria grow in it to continue your filtration. This is of course when you are sure no worms are left. Maybe let it dry out some first. Add one piece back at a time and should not have any problems with die off starting a mini-cycle.
 
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egwich said:
My biggest worry is live rock. I'm probably down to 30ish lbs of live rock in my 55 gal tank. Will my tank start to crash due to lack of live rock, and should I eventually replace it once these worms are dealt with. Can I even replace them I've heard to absolutely not add rock to an established system.
Click to expand...

You can add rock at anytime to a established system with caution. It's best to "cure" the rock before adding it. As you would when starting a new tank. Any "cured" rock can be added at anytime.
 
mtfish said:
Once you split the live rock, are the pieces big enough to add back to your tank? If it is not all rubble, then you should still have bacteria grow in it to continue your filtration. This is of course when you are sure no worms are left. Maybe let it dry out some first. Add one piece back at a time and should not have any problems with die off starting a mini-cycle.
Click to expand...

The first few rocks I was able to put some of the pieces back in when I was getting the first worm out. These last three I haven't been able to. I had to smash it up pretty small to find them. Even then, those suckers were still alive after sitting in a bucket full of ice cold FRESH water outside in the 20 degree Chicago weather for a few HOURS. That's right these guys were still moving around after all that. Since they curl up to such a small part of the rock I'm afraid putting part of it back in could still have on in there and boom it starts again.
 
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Yeah I'm 99% sure they are Eunice Worms. They all have that classic five antenna head and mouth. See pics.
Eunice Worm 1.jpg
Eunice Worm 2.jpg
Eunice Worm 3.jpg
Eunice Worm 4.JPG
 
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egwich said:
Hey everyone,

I have a Bobbit Worm problem. Had one a few months back so I baited a piece of cocktail shrimp underneath a cup. Saw what rock he was in and removed the rock. Cracked the rock open to make sure it was in there. Thought that was it. Then yesterday I saw another one. Removed that rock, and confirmed he was in there. I baited last night just to be sure and that piece of shrimp is ALSO in another piece of rock getting dragged in by what I imagine is another bobbit worm.

I'm going to have to remove that rock today. My question is I have a 55 gal tank and I'm losing ALOT of live rock. Do I have to eventually replace them? I'm getting worried what if all my live rock has bobbits in them...then what?

God I hate Bobbit worms
Click to expand...
did you have any of the bobbit worm left?
 
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