Bristleworms: Friend or Foe?

[Usatennisfan]

So I'm on the fence about what to do with all the bristleworms in my tank. During the day I'll see one or two poking out from a rock but at night thats all I see, some or pushing 3" in length. I know they are useful for helping clean the sand bed of uneaten food/ waste but how many is too many? It is a 40 breeder SPS and chalices mainly. Do I add a sixline wrasse and hope that helps? Never a big fan of sixlines, IME they get mean when they get big and mean to anything added after them. (I don't plan on adding anything else fish wise, I already have a maroon pair, chalk bass, algae blenny, a blue mandarin, and a pair of fire shrimp.) I don't want to add an arrow crab because I wouldn't trust him with the mandarin... Any thoughts or suggestions? Any I put is appreciated.
-Stephen-

 

[philr]

I have faced this dilemma since I first spotted a bristle worm in my 33g tank. That was over 20 years ago. When we add live rock to a tank we face all sorts of hitchhikers for good or bad. Back then all my readings and experience were that they were bad and to be eradicated immediately. However several tanks later and many years later that info seems to be changed. Currently in my 90g tank I have 100lbs of live rock. Bristle worms are impossible to eliminate. However they can be controlled. First food should never be allowed to accumulate on rocks or the bottom of the tank. Use a food baster or power head to blow out deep corners, and vac up the sand and bottom of the tank. Second keep the water within acceptable parameters, low to zero nitrates, and phosphates. Lastly any worm as big as 3" should be caught. Use traps or just a long tweezer. Smaller worms will remain in check if you follow steps one and two. Good luck.

 

[xrayjeeper83]

Bristle worms are ugly but beneficial imo

 

[Fbmrk]

What sort of traps can be used? A description would help. Thanks

 

[Usatennisfan]

Is there anything other than sixlines and arrow crabs that would naturally hunt bristlworms? Am I right to not trust an arrow crab with my mandarin? How effective are the traps?

 

[philr]

Fbmark - re: traps. I boought in online,,, made by coralife. It is a green tube with a center area for bait, and both ends have tapered edges the worms can enter but not exit. I only worry about bristle worms if they get too big - upwards of 2" or too many. Otherwise I believe they are doing their job behind the scene.

 

[philr]

Usatennisfan: The trap works well. I also have a dottyback and understand they will go after smaller bristle worms. I have a scooter blenny in the tank. The dottyback will sometimes pick on the blenny. However it seems minor.