Concerend about worms in tank, help identiying

[dasteve003]

Tried to get decent pics but I got a couple worms in my tank from my live rock and cant really tell what they are. Worried they are bad worms. Sure seems like there's at least 2 or 3 and most likely more. Concerned if I see that many who knows how many there are. I thought they might be eunice worms which doesn't seem like a good thing at all but they are visible and my white 1 watt leds are on so I'm not sure if they are them or not as those are apparently sensitive to light but I'm not sure. Any help in identifying them and if they are good or bad for my tank would be greatly appreciated.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Bristle worms. The are beneficial in most tanks and eat detritus. The reason I say most tanks is because I would not want them in a tank with my seahorses. The bristle worms can cause injuries to them. Fish are corals are fine with them.

 

[ptpablo]

Hard to tell for sure but they look like bristle worms to me. People are split on if they're good or bad. I have a few in mine. I don't like them but they don't hurt anything, in fact the can help keep your tank clean!

There are some traps you can buy...I tried one with no luck.

 

[jrbates08]

Bristle worm. I had one. (I think only 1) but I took it out cuz I read it was bad. Didn't seem to be hurting anything while it was in there but I removed it. Same with my bristle starfish. I took it out too cuz I heard it was bad. Then found out its also preference and what u are stocking

 

[amppdx]

I would agree on bristleworms. In smaller numbers they usually aren't a problem, but when populations get big they can be a nuisance. I have seen a perfectly healthy flame scallop and mandarin goby get munched by them, but cant say for sure they were the cause of death.

 

[jrbates08]

Brittle starfish☆ not bristle...stupid auto connect

 

[Sully]

Bristle worm.

 

[dasteve003]

My tank is new, as in 3 days ago I filled with water, live sand, and 5 lbs of live rock. I could see a couple in one particualr peice of live rock, I also have a brittle starfish but I think I'm gonna leave him in there for the time being, these brsitle worms I'm not so sure of because if they start reproducing and theres already 5 or 6 who knows how many I could end up with. And it sounds like even with rubber gloves on I don't touch these guys. If I grabbed a small pair of pliers could I take them out or would they rip in half when I try to pull them out? Thanks for all the help, very glad it doesn't seem to be the eunice!

 

[ptpablo]

If they're still fairly small a turkey baster works well...just suck'm right up. If that doesn't work get some long feeding tweezers... Just watch your shadow in the tank. That's what they react to.

 

[NanaReefer]

If you try pulling them out of the rock they will rip. Get a Bristle Worm trap, they work well. Or make your own using a knee high nylon stocking bated with freeze dried krill. The lil worms will get stuck to the stocking and then you just toss it away. Or better yet you can leave them alone as they are a wonderful addition to our CUC. Keep them in check by not over feeding your tank

 

[dasteve003]

My only concern is that there is already several and the tank is 3 days old I don't wanna have 50 in a year or so, maybe I'll leave 1 or 2 behind to help out the snails and goby I'll be putting in as well for cleaning when the tank is ready.

 

[saltyfish]

Bristle worm reproduction is limited on available food-mostly detritus. If you keep your tank well maintained and have good flow you shouldn't have any worries.