bristle worms getting out of hand

Oldsalt01 · Jul 4, 2017

The only issue I've ever had with them is when I wasn't paying attention while rearranging rock and got stung. Felt like my hand was on fire for several hours. I used duct tape to pull the bristles out. Ugly as they are, they are an asset as a part of the cleanup crew. If they really freak u out there are commercial bristle worm traps (Trap 'Em traps) which work very well. Snails, fish can't get in them.

Oldsalt01 · Jul 4, 2017

U feed your fish 2-3 times A DAY? To keep my nutrient levels down I've gone to every other day feeding. My fish don't seem to be stressed, my levels are where I want them, and the fish seem to be genuinely glad to see me.

jrwoltman · Jul 4, 2017

madweazl said:
Why do you want to remove it? They only munch on things that are dead or dying; leave 'em be and let them do their business.

Edit: I've had them well over a foot long in tanks under 30g and they've never messed with anything.

I agree with madweazl, they are a beneficial part of a CUC and never bother anything.

Flippers4pups · Jul 4, 2017

Agreed, I have probably 30+ in my DT. They clear up uneaten food rather well, but if they become a huge amount, trap them as I suggested or just grab them with forceps at night and place them in the sump. Or sell them/give away to someone with a new set up.

The only reason you don't see them sold is that a lot of people think they're gross looking, when in reality they are better at removing uneaten foods than hermits and snails.

jrwoltman · Jul 4, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
Agreed, I have probably 30+ in my DT. They clear up uneaten food rather well, but if they become a huge amount, trap them as I suggested or just grab them with forceps at night and place them in the sump. Or sell them/give away to someone with a new set up.

The only reason you don't see them sold is that a lot of people think they're gross looking, when in reality they are better at removing uneaten foods than hermits and snails.

They used to freak my wife out, LOL.

ezra8378 · Jul 4, 2017

jrwoltman said:
They used to freak my wife out, LOL.

I had a 75 gallon with a ton of worms. I went away for a weekend and my electricity went out and the tank overheated. Killed all the worms and when they died it destroyed my tank. Smelt horrible. I try to stay away from getting the worms in the tank and have a backup power supply now.

recess62 · Jul 4, 2017

I had a bristle worm problem. I got a 6 line wrasse. Problem solved. Tank is now clean

Flippers4pups · Jul 4, 2017

ezra8378 said:
I had a 75 gallon with a ton of worms. I went away for a weekend and my electricity went out and the tank overheated. Killed all the worms and when they died it destroyed my tank. Smelt horrible. I try to stay away from getting the worms in the tank and have a backup power supply now.

Sorry, doubt that the worms dieing destroyed the tank. The temp did that from what you said.

Sorry that happened to you.

Dom · Jul 4, 2017

Flippers4pups said:
Soda bottle trap. Place some food in a empty soda bottle and set it on the sand over night.

Actually, it's a bit more involved from what I know about it.

I think that you are supposed to cut the top off and invert it. By doing this, the cone shape makes it easy to find their way IN and not out.

Flippers4pups · Jul 4, 2017

Dom said:
Actually, it's a bit more involved from what I know about it.

I think that you are supposed to cut the top off and invert it. By doing this, the cone shape makes it easy to find their way IN and not out.

Correct

Dom · Jul 4, 2017

BlennyKravitz said:
Try overnight. That's when mine come out.

Yes... they are nocturnal. Better luck in the dark.

Dom · Jul 4, 2017

What about adding a natural predator? I did, but it goes against everything we say is good to do here. LOL

It worked great, but I got lucky.

Fallling · Jul 5, 2017

Common bristle worms aren't anything to worry about other than being gross looking. Basically, they're the ants/earth worms of the sea. I have a lot of nps coral and feed heavily... there's literally hundreds that come out when I feed that crawl over corals with no problems. My biggest concern is coming into contact with them moving rocks or frags (and in general just being freaked out with them like I am with spiders). Stings from common, smaller bristle worms isn't that bad, IMO (I've been stung worse by coral) and soaking in vinegar will dissolve the bristles. Fireworms, on the other hand, can pack a nasty punch. Even then, they're still mostly beneficial scavengers with the exception of the bearded fire worm (Hermodice carunculata), which does eat coral. Unless you have a bearded fire worm, there isn't really any point in trying to catch them- they're a natural, reproducing part of the tank's ecosystem.

Pola0502ds · Jul 5, 2017

At a fish club fragging class i witnessed someone crack a rock in half and pulled out a 29" bristle worm and i promise i am not kidding. We measured it. It was probably longer but you can tell it was somewhat retracted.

A good trap is to get a small plastic pop bottle, put some food in, put the cap back on, punch 4 hole along one side and then 4 more holes opposite of the side you just did. Stick staws in the holes so most of the straw is on the outside of the bottle and angled towards the sand/bottom. They crawl in through the straw but can't get back out.

Sir Chris · Jul 5, 2017

I have 3 of em. Batted with shrimp and some dry pellets. Make sure the straws are upward. I use a rubberband now 2 hold em up so they don't get out and straws 1/2 way in somthey cant crawl out of em again. I get 10-20 depending on placement. I place em 20 mins b4 lights pop and I'll sometimes get 10'right then. So reset it same shrimp new pellets. Small and can put 1/2 sand and 1/2 on rock so it's easier for em 2 not leave there holes till they are in the straw and confident. I've studied this trap I've made now a lot. Somenight 1. Others jammed. Depends on the placement with it. They have traps that I guess I just drop in but I'm a DIY