Bristle worms from live rock...Good or Bad?

[Weehawken64]

Good article, tnx


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[Liquid360]

If I could train them to do tricks I would totally keep them!

Mine are real tiny and they better not pick on my snails.


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[NanaReefer]

Also BW do not excavate. Refer to this article...

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-05/rs/

From the link provided above.

Before describing the worms themselves, I would like to discuss the role they play in the "natural history" of a reef aquarium. Most of these animals live within various components of the substrate, either the unconsolidated substrate such as sand or crushed coral, or the rocks. If they live in the rocks, they often live in holes or burrows generally excavated by some other organisms, although a few worms may be capable of excavating their own burrows. Those worms that live in the sediments may burrow through the sediments leaving no trace. Alternatively, they may exist in tubes or burrows that may be either permanent or quite temporary.

 

[Liquid360]

Exactly. "Some" and then under certain specific circumstances. To call them excavators isn't accurate. Many dogs can walk on two legs but that doesn't mean they're bipedal.

From the link provided above.

Before describing the worms themselves, I would like to discuss the role they play in the "natural history" of a reef aquarium. Most of these animals live within various components of the substrate, either the unconsolidated substrate such as sand or crushed coral, or the rocks. If they live in the rocks, they often live in holes or burrows generally excavated by some other organisms, although a few worms may be capable of excavating their own burrows. Those worms that live in the sediments may burrow through the sediments leaving no trace. Alternatively, they may exist in tubes or burrows that may be either permanent or quite temporary.

 

[Weehawken64]

Hi again guys. I actually got to catch one of these guys I originally was asking about so now I have a pic. So are they indeed bristle worms?? Thanks

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[Liquid360]

Yup yup

 

[Weehawken64]

just did a water change.


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[Weehawken64]

Something else I've been seeing are these super tiny almost microscopic what appear to be white little guys all over the glass. They jump and walk on glass but so small just look like specks. Any ideas?


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[bct15]

The white things are copepods.


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[Weehawken64]

Are you sure? I thought Copepods were bigger and you could make out what they are. These are smaller then fleas just like size of this '


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[Dixie_reefer]

Copepods can be itty bitty teeny things, they can also be bigger. My tank is loaded with them. Its also loaded with bristleworms too. They come out every time I feed the tank. Every once in a while I will pull the bigger ones out with a pair of tweezers to keep their numbers in check.

 

[Salty-Noob]

What do cape pods do?

 

[bct15]

Are you sure? I thought Copepods were bigger and you could make out what they are. These are smaller then fleas just like size of this '


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Your thinking of amphipods, copepods are tiny.


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[Weehawken64]

Thanks for the response.


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[Dixie_reefer]

What do cape pods do?

I'm assuming you meant copepods? They eat detritus and serve as a natural food source for pretty much all reef fish. They are really good to have in a reef aquarium. Mandarins and scooter blennies depend on them to survive if they have not been trained to eat frozen foods.

 

[Salty-Noob]

Good to know for awhile I would clean them off the glass

 

[Dixie_reefer]

Yeah I knock them off of the glass too.

 

[Weehawken64]

Hmm one of my throchus snails was dead on the sand. I hope these bristle worms don't eat snails.


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[NanaReefer]

Hmm one of my throchus snails was dead on the sand. I hope these bristle worms don't eat snails.


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They will definitely eat anything dead

 

[bct15]

Bristle worms are scavengers not predators, if it is dead they will eat it...otherwise they don't possess the proper anatomy to kill something.


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