Bristle worm killed my clown...

Slarti · Apr 29, 2018

Only joking but I do have a question about bristle worms. I have always had some in the tank and I would generally see them peaking out from some hidden hole, stretching to the nth degree and on the very odd occasion I have seen one completely out for very brief moments. So I cleaned my rocks (purging in the black container) about 18 months ago and for a long time I saw no worms. I just assumed they all got killed in the process and was not fussed either way. Anyway a few weeks ago I saw one peaking out from a hole and was happy to see I still have some. About a week later I saw it again, this time the whole body stretched out on a rock.

Since then I have seen it more regularly and the last week or so almost every night. So last night not only was it out of its hole on a rock but actually on the sand. It proceeded to fly through the tank and at one point 3/4 up my overflow box. Thought it will end up in the overflow but turned and was on the sand in the back of the tank later and did the normal disappearing act when I went back to the tank.

So the question, is this normal behaviour or do I just have a very adventurous worm in the tank?

Will see if I can get a photo if it comes out again but with the low light may not be possible...

Rispa · Apr 29, 2018

Mine are pretty adventurous during feeding. Maybe it was following the scent of food?

Slarti · Apr 29, 2018

Danielle Aneja said:
Mine are pretty adventurous during feeding. Maybe it was following the scent of food?

Was feeding an hour or so before but it may be that it was chasing some leftovers. Have to add, I also have a peppermint shrimp that seems to have shrugged off the shyness in a short period of time. Never used to see him, then just in the dark corners but these days he lives out in the open and gets very existed when feeding starts. Last night he swam almost to the top to get to something, silly clown grabbed it of course but I gave him 10/10 for effort

Rispa · Apr 29, 2018

Slarti said:
Was feeding an hour or so before but it may be that it was chasing some leftovers. Have to add, I also have a peppermint shrimp that seems to have shrugged off the shyness in a short period of time. Never used to see him, then just in the dark corners but these days he lives out in the open and gets very existed when feeding starts. Last night he swam almost to the top to get to something, silly clown grabbed it of course but I gave him 10/10 for effort

Sounds like your critters really like what you feed I feed mysis normally. What do you feed?

Slarti · Apr 29, 2018

Danielle Aneja said:
Sounds like your critters really like what you feed I feed mysis normally. What do you feed?

Funnily enough only pellets at this stage, the name escapes me now but will see if I can find it. Had some mysis as well but a freezer malfunction had me throwing out everything a few weeks back and I have not got a fresh batch. But everything seems happy enough so I am in no rush.