Good idea to move bristleworms to a DT?

[Idoc]

Bristleworms - To keep or not to keep, that is the question!

I currently have no bristleworms in my DT. But, I have seen two or three small ones in my coral quarantine tank that has a sand bottom. I'm in the process of changing my coral QT to a deeper 29g tank, and plan on removing the sand and going bare bottom... so, the bristleworms may be removed as well.

But, if I find them, is there any benefit to moving them to the DT to help with ditritus breakdown? Or should i leave well enough alone and keep them out of the DT as long as possible?

 

[Crabs McJones]

I personally like bristle worms. They are a great part of a clean up crew. I've seen plenty of times a piece of detritus or leftover food float under a rock that a fish couldn't reach it, and the bristleworm came out, grabbed it and dragged it back into his hole. So instead of breaking down into nutrients it was consumed. As long as their numbers dont get out of control I say add them

 

[Idoc]

I personally like bristle worms. They are a great part of a clean up crew. I've seen plenty of times a piece of detritus or leftover food float under a rock that a fish couldn't reach it, and the bristleworm came out, grabbed it and dragged it back into his hole. So instead of breaking down into nutrients it was consumed. As long as their numbers dont get out of control I say add them

Thanks for the advice. If I can find one. I'll toss it in the DT. I can only imagine that if I put in more than one, then I run the risk of getting many new ones!

 

[reef lover]

+1. Good part of our ecosystems...

 

[Ron Reefman]

Thanks for the advice. If I can find one. I'll toss it in the DT. I can only imagine that if I put in more than one, then I run the risk of getting many new ones!

I've never intentionally added any bristle worms, but I always seem to have them. I don't go out of my way to remove them either unless I think the population is getting out of control (which implies something else is going on, like over feeding) or they get really big. I agree they make up a useful part of the clean up crew.