ID for new reefer

[Joshua Deretich]

This is my nano 10 gallon tank I've had setup since November and I've noticed more of these little isopod things. One is by my gsp, which I just moved yesterday and has significantly opened up more. I've had it for about 6 months but it hasn't grown and slowly less and less polyps opened. Put it in more flow and boom, it opens. Happy now. Anyways want to know if this little dude will clean algae off it or eat the polyp. They are pretty big and don't seem to be frightened by light so I could easily pick them off with tweezers.

 

[Mikedawg]

Most likely a bristleworm and many reefers consider them "good" for a tank because they are detritivores and move sand around as well as adding to the biodiversity.

 

[pugcrush]

Looks like a bristle worm. Some reefers hate them. I like them in small numbers for part of the clean up crew. Just don't touch them.

 

[Joshua Deretich]

2 questions, why do some reefers hate them? Second why should I not touch them. I took oceanography and zoology last year and I remember learning about bristle worms but not the specifics lol.

Looks like a bristle worm. Some reefers hate them. I like them in small numbers for part of the clean up crew. Just don't touch them.

 

[Zwogle]

You can read about them here: https://reefcorner.com/reef-database-index/hitchhiker-index/bristle-worms/

 

[Mikedawg]

2 questions, why do some reefers hate them? Second why should I not touch them. I took oceanography and zoology last year and I remember learning about bristle worms but not the specifics lol.

Ha Ha, maybe your professor should have gotten up close and personal with a few big ones. I've never been "stung" but understand their toxin is something you'll remember next time you work on your tank.

Not sure about the hate part but may be because of above. I find them as interesting as any other reef inhabitant.

 

[Joshua Deretich]

Ha Ha, maybe your professor should have gotten up close and personal with a few big ones. I've never been "stung" but understand their toxin is something you'll remember next time you work on your tank.

Not sure about the hate part but may be because of above. I find them as interesting as any other reef inhabitant.

Ah it's just high school level, they never went into detail. LOL I'm a senior this year. But man I read up on these dudes and does it give me anxiety. With my luck I have a 2 foot one under my sand bed that's waiting to much away at my coral. I'm so lazy when it comes to this hobby, i just did a water change after like 6 months of topping it off. But hey fish is still alive ;Cat

 

[Mikedawg]

Good tank hygiene (not overfeeding, maybe water changes every week instead of every six months lol, etc.) will usually help control their number.

 

[Joshua Deretich]

Good tank hygiene (not overfeeding, maybe water changes every week instead of every six months lol, etc.) will usually help control their number.

I know every six months sounds bad but salt is so expensive man! It kills me. I'm still using instant ocean . I know it's not horrible but I want to get more into coral and if I can't even keep a regimen with water changes then I can't expect to keep more advanced coals alive.