Bristle Worms

[Hardesty2]

hey y'all i just started this tank yesterday and these bristle worms have found there way in my 20 gallon. should i be worried? i know some people say they're helpful but i've also heard horror stories, any help is appreciated. thanks!

 

[ronsonb]

How did they get in there in a day?

 

[YourlocalReefer.]

hey y'all i just started this tank yesterday and these bristle worms have found there way in my 20 gallon. should i be worried? i know some people say they're helpful but i've also heard horror stories, any help is appreciated. thanks!

I would personally remove because they can take over a tank and can repopulate very quickly. If you do remove use cation they can mess up your finger lol . That's what i would recommend.

 

[YourlocalReefer.]

How did they get in there in a day?

probably live rock

 

[Formulator]

There are no horror stories other than the ones that come from people’s nightmares. They are very beneficial clean up crew members and exist in most tanks. Some people irrationally try to eradicate them solely because they get the “heebie jeebies” from them. They will not harm anything. Just don’t touch them…

 

[Hardesty2]

How did they get in there in a day?

i bought life rock from petco, only place around that sells saltwater stuff.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

i bought life rock from petco, only place around that sells saltwater stuff.

The worms will likely starve to death in a brand new tank.

 

[Hardesty2]

I would personally remove because they can take over a tank and can repopulate very quickly. If you do remove use cation they can mess up your finger lol . That's what i would recommend.

how would i go about that? i can't add any livestock yet

 

[vetteguy53081]

hey y'all i just started this tank yesterday and these bristle worms have found there way in my 20 gallon. should i be worried? i know some people say they're helpful but i've also heard horror stories, any help is appreciated. thanks!

Likely came in with live rock. While they are sand cleaners, i dont desire them as they get large but are not of danger. Fr removal, you can use spaghetti tongs or a net - dont use bare hands

 

[YourlocalReefer.]

how would i go about that? i can't add any livestock yet

i would use tweezers or syphon them out.

 

[merkmerk73]

There are no horror stories other than the ones that come from people’s nightmares. They are very beneficial clean up crew members and exist in most tanks. Some people irrationally try to eradicate them solely because they get the “heebie jeebies” from them. They will not harm anything. Just don’t touch them…

I don’t agree with this at all

There are plenty of other derivores that are great CUC that don’t sting your freaking hands and infest the tank

People repeat this “they’re great CUC!!” And it’s a meme

They’re a total pest

I would restart your tank if it’s that new so you don’t have to deal with these wretched little things

Even if you left the tank alone and fed it nothing for a month they’d probably just eat the glass or something

Nasty creatures

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

I don’t agree with this at all

There are plenty of other derivores that are great CUC that don’t sting your freaking hands and infest the tank

People repeat this “they’re great CUC!!” And it’s a meme

They’re a total pest

I would restart your tank if it’s that new so you don’t have to deal with these wretched little things

Even if you left the tank alone and fed it nothing for a month they’d probably just eat the glass or something

Nasty creatures

They are great CUC. Thats not a meme. Its a fact. Lots and lots of things we put in our tanks will sting, bite, burn, etc. Its just part of this hobby. OP, please dont restart your tank for a worm. They will find there way back one way or another. Its just a waste of time and money.

 

[lubeck]

They do multiply quickly and get large but my reef has been fine for the last two years.

 

[exnisstech]

They do multiply quickly and get large but my reef has been fine for the last two years.

Now in impressed. Well done lol

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

I don’t agree with this at all

There are plenty of other derivores that are great CUC that don’t sting your freaking hands and infest the tank

People repeat this “they’re great CUC!!” And it’s a meme

They’re a total pest

I would restart your tank if it’s that new so you don’t have to deal with these wretched little things

Even if you left the tank alone and fed it nothing for a month they’d probably just eat the glass or something

Nasty creatures

You're in the wrong hobby

 

[slingfox]

They do multiply quickly and get large but my reef has been fine for the last two years.

No way those are pictures from your tank. I am pretty sure the first three pictures are screen captures from that new Alien movie that just hit theatres. Terrifying!

 

[TangerineSpeedo]

They do multiply quickly and get large but my reef has been fine for the last two years.

They say... "Too much of a good thing..."
While I love my bristles, I do keep them in check with an Arrow crab and some manual removal. But it is not like I have a shortage.

 

[VintageReefer]

Harmless. Good clean up crew. They only multiply and get “out of control” if you overfeed. Plus they really only come out at night.

 

[merkmerk73]

They’re not harmless

When they get big enough they’ll go after things - many people have reported this

They have a nasty sting which will prevent you from doing things in the tank with your hands lest you get a handful of painful quills stuck in you

Micro brittle stars don’t do that

You can absolutely prevent them with dry rock and being careful with frags

My mistake was thinking the small ones were an inch or more - but they’ll actually be as small as 1/4inch or perhaps even smaller

You can avoid with dips or removing frag plugs

Make the decision for yourself and ignore the braying group think

 

[timmyrules]

I think they are pretty good clean up crew…but then again, they have a nasty sting.