Keeping bristle worms in DT - Yea or Nay?

[Killingtime]

It was only a matter of time before having to face this hitchhiker. I got him with a coral frag. After a good dip, he jumped out. I have him held hostage in his own container until I make up my mind about his future. That's where I need your help. After reading several conflicting views on the value of this guy I'm no closer to a decision.

What's your thoughts? Would you purposely put/keep a bristle worm in your display tank?

 

[MrKlumZ]

Negative, unless i do not have a choice (hitchhiked). Why deal with the possibility of this and that. When you can have a guaranteed non issue without it. Plenty of goodies out there to have instead.

 

[Doctorgori]

I’ve had a few encounters and have no use for them… regardless of their utility I’d find another solution if it were me

 

[minus9]

Bristle worms are your best friend and one of the very best at cleaning up detritus. This whole notion that they are bad and should be avoided at all costs, is utterly ridiculous. Also, I hate to break the news to everyone, but you'll have bristle worms in your tank regardless of all the steps you take to prevent them from entering.
When dipping corals, you can certainly discard the ones that didn't make it through the dipping process, as you're trying to get rid of actual pests (and not bristle worms). But to view bristle worms as pests, is completely irrational. I get that they can cause problems if touched and for some, they can have a severe reaction to the bristles. So for those that have to work in the tank, wear gloves (as you should). Bristle worms are not the enemy of a reef tank, but one of the best helpers. Don't be a bristle hater, be a bristle lover!
Cheers!

 

[Goaway]

I can't imagine my tank without my bristles. Everyone has what they want and don't want. It's your system. You have to plan these out. I have firefish gobies sleeping with bristle worms. Nothing happens to them. Ever.

 

[WVNed]

Dastardly things. Just waiting for you to put your hand in the tank to strike. One grabbed my cat but I saved him.
I keep a club by the tank just in case.

 

[homer1475]

Bristle worms are your best friend and one of the very best at cleaning up detritus. This whole notion that they are bad and should be avoided at all costs, is utterly ridiculous. Also, I hate to break the news to everyone, but you'll have bristle worms in your tank regardless of all the steps you take to prevent them from entering.
When dipping corals, you can certainly discard the ones that didn't make it through the dipping process, as you're trying to get rid of actual pests (and not bristle worms). But to view bristle worms as pests, is completely irrational. I get that they can cause problems if touched and for some, they can have a severe reaction to the bristles. So for those that have to work in the tank, wear gloves (as you should). Bristle worms are not the enemy of a reef tank, but one of the best helpers. Don't be a bristle hater, be a bristle lover!
Cheers!

This +1000

 

[Gtinnel]

I have a ton of bristle worms in my tank and they have never caused any kind of problem. I have recently seen businesses selling them so I figure I'm sitting on a goldmine. Now if my wrasse would just stop eating my profits away.

Dastardly things. Just waiting for you to put your hand in the tank to strike. One grabbed my cat but I saved him.
I keep a club by the tank just in case.

If it gets to where your bristleworms have an insatiable desire to eat a cat I have one I could sacrifice to keep yours safe. Just let me know I'm pretty close to you. LOL.

 

[Killingtime]

Looking like the Bristle fans are winning this..... Anyone else have an opinion?

 

[01xp]

Personally I try to keep them out . My logic is I don't want anything in my tank that I didn't put there. But on the flip side I know they will eventually make it in. Not much help sorry

 

[Bfragale]

Never had an issue here either. Good detritus eaters. And even if you try to not get them in the tank, they will get in there. Probably already have some and you don’t know lol.

 

[Mikedawg]

I wish I had more. Good detritivores, interesting in their own right and part of the wonderful diversity of the reef. If you feel you have too many at some time in the future, just trap some or feed less.

 

[sp1187]

No live rock in my system so I added them a dozen at a time via the LFS.

 

[Killingtime]

Alright, the "Yeas" have it. I tossed him in the tank.

I really appreciate everyone's input on this.

 

[jaganshi066]

Alright, the "Yeas" have it. I tossed him in the tank.

I really appreciate everyone's input on this.

Nooo

 

[Killingtime]

Nooo

LOL! I know, I know. But hear me out.

I've been lurking on these forums for a long time before I signed up. After all the reading I've done, the one constant I've come to find is that everyone makes mistakes. But with our hobby, the mistakes, albeit most of the time costly, add to challenge and enjoyment of it. I'm not talking about losing livestock because that can be outright heartbreaking. But the perplexity of trying to keep a bit of the ocean in my living room is what has drawn me in.

So, with all that being said. I know that even if I end up regretting putting a possible pest in my tank on purpose...I'll learn from it and hopefully not have to come back here and tell my tale of having to wrestle a Godzilla-sized bristle worm out of my tank.

 

[Murphs_reef]

I think they are great. The only issue is so does my Dusky Wrasse.. I'm sure I still have some but when ever the wrasse sees them they get tossed up into the water and devoured in no time.

 

[Jekyl]

Great free CuC. I added an arrow crab to keep the numbers in check.

 

[PeterC99]

Know they are beneficial for the aquarium but hated getting stung when thinning chaeto or other tank maintenance. Got a Melanurus wrasse and they were gone! Don’t regret the decision.

 

[Killingtime]

Know they are beneficial for the aquarium but hated getting stung when thinning chaeto or other tank maintenance. Got a Melanurus wrasse and they were gone! Don’t regret the decision.

Yep, I've already gotten my first sting. I picked up a rock and laid my finger right across him. After picking out about a hundred bristles with tweezers, no ill effects, no irritation or anything. Maybe I got lucky and just barely got hit but I'll be sure to be more careful in the future.