Bristleworm Help!

[Dycofree]

Hey guys. I was getting ready to leave for work today (in the middle of the day I might add) and as I went to look at my tank before I left I saw a huge (for me anyway, lol) bristle worm emerging from a cave! Ive been researching a ton and know that the jury is out on these guys for the most part. Any opinions to ease my mind? I tried to get it with tweezers but missed terribly lol. It doesnt look like a Fire Worm to me as it seems too dull. The pic isnt great, but its the best I can do. Please advice and ease my mind, lol!

 

[Florida Sunshine]

Looks like a bristle worm to me. They are generally considered a positive addition to your cleanup crew unless you touch them in which case it is ouch.
I leave them alone in my tank.
I do have the directions for a great bristle worm trap though if you want to get rid of it.
Take a piece of woman's stocking material and put a small piece of fish food or bait in it and then fill with cotton or filter floss. The worms go to the food and their bristles get stuck in the stocking material. It worked for me a number of times when I had an infestation due to overfeeding.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Looks like a standard bristleworm. Tweezers isnt always the best route, if he breakes then you get more but I think they're a good clean up crew member and leave them in the tank

 

[Dycofree]

Awesome, thank you guys! I had a shrimp and blenny die early on in my tank so I think my bristle got to their bodies and helped out because I never found them. Thanks again guys!

 

[Flippers4pups]

Hey guys. I was getting ready to leave for work today (in the middle of the day I might add) and as I went to look at my tank before I left I saw a huge (for me anyway, lol) bristle worm emerging from a cave! Ive been researching a ton and know that the jury is out on these guys for the most part. Any opinions to ease my mind? I tried to get it with tweezers but missed terribly lol. It doesnt look like a Fire Worm to me as it seems too dull. The pic isnt great, but its the best I can do. Please advice and ease my mind, lol!

I've had bristle worms in all my systems dating all the way back to 1993 and never had any issues with them.

As far as I'm concerned, they are part of the "clean up crew" of our tanks, as much or more so as snails and the like. Their numbers will self regulate to the food available and should never become a problem numbers wise.

There is an stigmatism surrounding them because of their appearance. Some hobbyist find them repulsive, but they are harmless and have a place in our systems.

 

[Dycofree]

I've had bristle worms in all my systems dating all the way back to 1993 and never had any issues with them.

As far as I'm concerned, they are part of the "clean up crew" of our tanks, as much or more so as snails and the like. Their numbers will self regulate to the food available and should never become a problem numbers wise.

There is an stigmatism surrounding them because of their appearance. Some hobbyist find them repulsive, but they are harmless and have a place in our systems.

Awesome! Thank you so much guys!

 

[saltyhog]

I've had bristle worms in all my systems dating all the way back to 1993 and never had any issues with them.

As far as I'm concerned, they are part of the "clean up crew" of our tanks, as much or more so as snails and the like. Their numbers will self regulate to the food available and should never become a problem numbers wise.

There is an stigmatism surrounding them because of their appearance. Some hobbyist find them repulsive, but they are harmless and have a place in our systems.

Agree. I don't think the jury is out. Some people choose to remove them because of their appearance but their mouth anatomy makes them not a threat to your live stock. They are valuable parts of the clean up crew. Their numbers are usually related to food availability. Feed more = more bristle worms.

 

[Halal Hotdog]

Keep in mind I have never seen a reef tank that doesn't have bristle worms. You are perfectly fine, I personally like how well they clean up dead organic material.

 

[Dycofree]

Hey guys: Friend just sent me this photo of a Bristle worm he found in HIS tank! Can you guys id if his is fire or regular? Looks kinda like a fire work to me

 

[FindingNem0]

I could never tell the difference with fire worms and bristle worms.

 

[PhreeByrd]

That is a common bristleworm, and I agree that the jury is not out. Common bristleworms are extremely benficial -- I might even say necessary -- for a healthy reef tank.
I advise leaving him alone to do what he does best. He won't harm anything in your tank.

 

[Retro Reefer]

You will never get rid of them and they are a beneficial member of your reef community.