Brissel Worm?

Joe Grubbs · Aug 13, 2018

Hello,

Since removing my 2 spot wrasse (~7" long) and replacing with a 7 line wrasse (~1.5" long), the tank has been much quieter and all my corals now stay put. It has only been a month, and now this guy/gal shows up in the refuge, chato… While cutting back the chato, this worm was curled up 'like a white fuzzy ball' … in this pic he began is journey to a new world. Thinking of adding an Arrow crab to help the wrasse consume these … thoughts??

tdileo · Aug 13, 2018

Yes, that is a bristle worm. There is no reason to add predators though, they are much more beneficial than harmful.

Dos Ocho · Aug 13, 2018

I second the bristleworm ID. Some folks don’t like them, but I love them. All part of a well balanced CUC in my opinion. I mostly see them in my sand bed and rocks.

tiggs · Aug 13, 2018

+1 on bristle worm and +100 on them being beneficial. They're literally my favorite CUC member of all time. They're stir your sand bed, get in the nooks and crevices of your rock work, and make quick work out of anything that dies in the tank. Granted, they're ugly as can be, but pretty much only come out at night.

adam finley · Aug 13, 2018

I have them and keep them usually unless they get really big because of my tank size they can be kind of a eye sore. But they do a great job eating wasted food and dead and dying cuc. And usually the hide in the rock or in the sand under rocks somewhere.

OriginalUserName · Aug 13, 2018

They are gross but I'm getting ready to introduce them to my new tank on purpose. Super hardy and free cuc member.

kirstyflash · Aug 14, 2018

Hubby hates ours and removes them every time he sees them. I’ve stopped telling him if I spot one coz I don’t mind them and don’t like any critters getting killed on purpose when they are doing what comes naturally.

GoPitt88 · Aug 14, 2018

I think they're gross and cool at the same time. I have one, but rarely see it. It's weird, but I get excited when I see it! LOL [emoji13]

kirstyflash · Aug 14, 2018

GoPitt88 said:
I think they're gross and cool at the same time. I have one, but rarely see it. It's weird, but I get excited when I see it! LOL [emoji13]

Yeah I doubt you have just one

I just spotted 5 grazing for the night

Joe Grubbs · Aug 14, 2018

Thank you all!

The tank has been up for 3 years. I'm sure the reason I'm seeing any now is that we removed our 2 spot wrasse. Over the years it has grown from <1" to about 7". Beautiful fish, between feedings and taking advantage of its natural food source. Though, the wrasse had reached the point where he was a nuisance in the tank as he re-arranged the rock work all day long. This behavior was really hard on the corals.

I agree with all the comments about the benefit of bristle worms as a member of the CUC. I figure they first arrived in the tank during the first year with one of the initial batches of chato to get the refug started...as well as other good bugs.

But, there has to be a balance as my partner is discussed by even the thought that 'there are worms' in the tank. It is a subject we don't discuss beyond traps and predators. Since 'doing nothing' is not an option for me, my goal would be to keep the population 'under control'.

Now that they 'have appeared' ... I have been given a clean 12 oz soda bottle, a few straws, and asked to make a trap for her to use. So, this will have to happen.