Bristle worms killing star polyp? Can it be?

Weehawken64 · Jul 30, 2013

I've had my tank running for about 8 month. Everything has been good. Got a number of corals and all are fine. Except now my star polyp hasn't been opening up for about a week. I got it a month ago and it was doing great up until now. I just looked in the tank with the flashlight and noticed quite a few bristle worms all over the star polyp (the purple mat). I've known I have bw for awhile and I'm ok with it because there numbers aren't to out of control and they are small.

But my question is can the bw be the cause for the polyp not opening up any more? Can they be feeding on them? Please help because this GSP was looking great in my tank and now it's not.

Genesis Corals · Jul 31, 2013

If that is the case I know a few people that would pay money for those bristleworms to come take care of their GSP in their tanks.

Weehawken64 · Jul 31, 2013

Doesn't answer my question but thanks.

jgraz · Jul 31, 2013

Bristle Worms wont eat the GSP. Its possible that they were getting at some detritus that accumilated there, IME GSP will close up for a bit when disturbed. When i had mine i would have to move them often to keep them away from the rocks, when i did they would close up for a few days sometimes a week. Then all would be well.

Mike J. · Jul 31, 2013

It is more likely that the bristle worms are eating the dead tissue of the GSP.

mcarroll · Jul 31, 2013

LOL.

Bristleworms are relatives of the earthworms in your garden (which also have spines, just a lot less) and perform about the same role - decomposition of dead/dying organic matter.

In spite of GSP'S ability to aggressively overgrow just about any coral known to man, they are also oddly sensitive. I saw one large colony close up for 2-3 weeks because a small rock bumped a tiny part of it.

I think something tweaked (or is tweaking) your colony and the worms are there after the fact doing cleanup.

My guess is that if it's not literally dead or dying is that something is making it exude extra slime and maybe the worms are feasting on that. That's pure guesswork though.

Also, there are relatively common Nudibranchs that look exactly like GSP polyps (very easy to miss) which could be at fault....could have taken them this long to grow to a noticeably destructive size.

It's a young tank - you sure there were no changes in the time leading up to when you noticed the problem?

Hope this helps!

-Matt

Weehawken64 · Jul 31, 2013

Thanks guys. The info does help Matt thanks. I just can't figure out why it hasn't opened in almost 2 weeks. Every other coral and fish are fine.

Mike J. · Jul 31, 2013

Weehawken64 said:
Thanks guys. The info does help Matt thanks. I just can't figure out why it hasn't opened in almost 2 weeks. Every other coral and fish are fine.

In my SPS tank which is near 0 nitrates and phosphates GSP won't open or grow, but it doesn't die. They like a tank with nitrates. Could this be why?

Weehawken64 · Jul 31, 2013

Well Mike my nitrates are usually around 20 so I guess there getting nitrates. Today none were open at all.

Mike J. · Jul 31, 2013

Well, I shouldn't answer at all. I've posted more than once that I can't grow GSP to save my life. Weird!

NanaReefer · Jul 31, 2013

Can you move the rock they're on?

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mcarroll · Aug 1, 2013

Weehawken64 said:
Thanks guys. The info does help Matt thanks. I just can't figure out why it hasn't opened in almost 2 weeks. Every other coral and fish are fine.

If they were previously happy and growing where they are and there really isn't something currently irritating it (be as sure as you can through observation), I'd give it at least another two weeks before making any changes. It possible it just got bumped by something and will again be happy some day...may take several weeks for a full recovery even after polyps start showing again. (That was my experience.)

-Matt

Weehawken64 · Aug 1, 2013

Thanks guys. It really is a nice piece even though many dnt like GSP.

Weehawken64 · Aug 1, 2013

Another thing, if and when it dies will produce a nitrate and ammonia spike in my tank?

Mike J. · Aug 2, 2013

Doubt it very much. A mature tank can handle a reasonable amount of die off.

mcarroll · Aug 3, 2013

Mike J. said:
Doubt it very much. A mature tank can handle a reasonable amount of die off.

Agreed - at least with stony corals. Stony corals are generally very efficient, having very little tissue for their mass/size...so not a lot to break down either.

(I suspect leathers and polyps in the same condition could be another story.)

-Matt

Weehawken64 · Aug 8, 2013

A little over a week from my start of thread. My GSP still has not opened. A few polyps open here and there but still hasn't fully opened. And still has bristle worms on it at night. Im wondering if at this point it will ever come back and if at this point I should just remove it from the tank and get rid of it. What do you all think? It's been over 2 wks already.