Is a large bristle worm a problem?

[MTBake]

Is it even a bristle worm? Or fire worm?

I haven't noticed any issues at all, but seen this guy for the second time in about a month. Behind the acan frag

It is well over 8 inches long as that's at least how far I've seen it stretch out of its hole. I still haven't seen the whole thing.

Is it worth the effort to try to remove?

Like I mentioned, I haven't seen any issues from it. Kinda gives me the creeps but I can get over that for sure.

Here's a couple more pics.

Open to any thoughts or suggestions

 

[Crabs McJones]

It appears to me to be a fireworm. You'll definitely want to remove it. Best bet would be a trap. You can build bottle traps at home, or buy prefab traps on amazon or Ebay, and this goes without saying, but dont touch it lol

 

[MTBake]

It appears to me to be a fireworm. You'll definitely want to remove it. Best bet would be a trap. You can. Uild bottle traps at home, or buy prefab traps on amazon or Ebay, and this goes without saying, but dont touch it lol

Sounds like a plan! Bottle trap, here I come! It seems super responsive to food. I lured it out again just now.

 

[John3]

Could be a regular but huge bristle worm. My tank is riddled with ones that look like yours. They range from tiny to 5-6”.

Honestly they look gross but I firmly believe they help keep the sand bed clean.

 

[Jackony]

Do let us know when you trap it!!!

 

[MTBake]

Do let us know when you trap it!!!

Still debating to be honest. I may leave it be for a bit. Doesn't seem to be hurting anything. Only time I see it is when I overfeed the tank.

Edit:
Kinda curious to see how big this thing gets. I wonder if this is what I hear my pistol shrimp snapping at all the time?

 

[Pntbll687]

Can they be a problem, yes. Will it be a problem is a bigger question.

If you have doubts about it then I would try to trap it.

My mother in law was a HEAVY feeder and she had a ton of works like that. When we transferred her tank to my house, we left the rock in buckets for three days, and literally had thousands of worms come out of the rocks.

My point is that you see this one, but don't see the hundred other ones hiding in rocks and the sand.

 

[MTBake]

As I was looking for a bottle to make a trap, I realized that I shouldn't be this creatures maker. If it starts causing trouble, out it comes like any other pest. Until then, it seems to be doing a good job cleaning up after my heavy handed feedings

I think I'll call it Tremor.

 

[Crabs McJones]

As I was looking for a bottle to make a trap, I realized that I shouldn't be this creatures maker. If it starts causing trouble, out it comes like any other pest. Until then, it seems to be doing a good job cleaning up after my heavy handed feedings

I think I'll call it Tremor.

Graboid

 

[Pntbll687]

Graboid

You beat me to it!!

 

[MTBake]

Are fireworms more predatory than bristle worms? Guess I got some reading to do;Bookworm

 

[MTBake]

Graboid

Once I read this, I got the line from the movie stuck in my head, lol. Looking for the movie on Netflix now;Hilarious

 

[Crabs McJones]

Once I read this, I got the line from the movie stuck in my head, lol. Looking for the movie on Netflix now;Hilarious

The first three are gold, after they they sort of fall off

 

[Billldg]

Still debating to be honest. I may leave it be for a bit. Doesn't seem to be hurting anything. Only time I see it is when I overfeed the tank.

Edit:
Kinda curious to see how big this thing gets. I wonder if this is what I hear my pistol shrimp snapping at all the time?

Maybe it will be a showdown at the OK corral, lol!

 

[MTBake]

Maybe it will be a showdown at the OK corral, lol!

Lol! The shrimp is only about 1" and I can still hear it from across the basement. Hope it fends off any threats;Punch

 

[oceanslide]

Looks like a large bristle worm to me. I like to remove the larger ones. They are very responsive to food I’ve noticed and I just reach in with long tweezers and pull them out when I feed the tank.

 

[MTBake]

Looks like a large bristle worm to me. I like to remove the larger ones. They are very responsive to food I’ve noticed and I just reach in with long tweezers and pull them out when I feed the tank.

I may have seen a second one about the same size just now. Could have been the same worm too. Not sure. This is definitely the largest worm I've ever had in any tank I've ever kept.

 

[ca1ore]

Looks like a regular old bristleworm to me. I see absolutely no reason to remove it. Ive got one almost a foot long that's as thick as my thumb. Next time it does any damage will be the first time. Excellent member if your CUC.

 

[vetteguy53081]

It will be if you grab it ! LOL
I personally don't mind a couple but for sure No Big one. I try to grab them when I see them out in the open with a reef tongs unit.