Peace of mind bristle worm confirmation

starypotter · Sep 17, 2018

Hi everyone,
I just spotted this monster in my tank when I moved around some ulva. It's got to be close to a quarter inch wide and that was only the small part sticking out of the rock. It's just so big that I just need to have the experts confirm that it's not a fireworm, it's back is also sort of metallic. I'm already tempted to pull it out just for existing so massively.

kashman100 · Sep 17, 2018

Looks like a fireworm to me

Actup85 · Sep 17, 2018

Looks more like a fire worm to me.

Lovemyreef2015 · Sep 17, 2018

Yep, that's a fireworm.

starypotter · Sep 17, 2018

Actup85 said:
Looks more like a fire worm to me.

kashman100 said:
Looks like a fireworm to me

Lovemyreef2015 said:
Yep, that's a fireworm.

That's fantastic to hear I will gladly be rid of that monster!! Small bristle worms I don't mind as long as I don't see them much but this one no thank you.

Crabs McJones · Sep 17, 2018

Polychaete Amphinomidae - Bearded Fireworm. Remove it.

Texas Reefer · Sep 17, 2018

Get it out if you can. Then get an ID. Dont kill it unnecessarily. It's either great cleanup crew, or the great destroyer. You need better pics.

starypotter · Sep 17, 2018

Crabs Mcjones said:
Polychaete Amphinomidae - Bearded Fireworm. Remove it.

Texas Reefer said:
Get it out if you can. Then get an ID. Dont kill it unnecessarily. It's either great cleanup crew, or the great destroyer. You need better pics.

Gladly! I just walked by the tank again and it was stretching out a solid four-five inches inches while still partly in the rock, by time I found my tongs it had disappeared.
Additionally this is what all of the rock dwelling worms in my tank really look like, how concerned should I be?

Texas Reefer · Sep 17, 2018

Um, I don't know, I've never had a bristleworm that big, and I've had tanks about 5 years. I guess it seems longer in my mind. Take it out. If it's not actually a bad one, put it back.

starypotter · Sep 17, 2018

Texas Reefer said:
Um, I don't know, I've never had a bristleworm that big, and I've had tanks about 5 years. I guess it seems longer in my mind. Take it out. If it's not actually a bad one, put it back.

Working on it as we speak, I just fed the tank and am all prepared to make the grab and have a cup of water waiting for closer examination.

KJ · Sep 18, 2018

Agree with @Crabs Mcjones .

MTBake · Sep 18, 2018

Pretty sure I have one in my tank as well. Any ideas in how to get it out? Bottle trap?

Here's a pic of mine. It's gotta be over 8 inches long.

Maritimer · Sep 18, 2018

I think I've read something about placing food into women's nylon hosiery, and that they get their bristles tangled in the stuff?

~Bruce

norfolkgarden · Sep 18, 2018

Maritimer said:
I think I've read something about placing food into women's nylon hosiery, and that they get their bristles tangled in the stuff?

~Bruce

Have heard the same.
Small piece of shrimp inside a knotted pantyhose was what I remember reading.

Copperband keeps the bristle worms small and hidden. Don't think we had anything like that.
[emoji50]

starypotter · Sep 18, 2018

I've heard the same as well, gotta find some at the store one of these days.

reef lover · Sep 19, 2018

Ooohhh a real fireworm!! Only the 2second one ive seen in my years of reefing!!

starypotter · Sep 19, 2018

reef lover said:
Ooohhh a real fireworm!! Only the 2second one ive seen in my years of reefing!!

I'm not sure if I should be happy about that or not

An update on the monster situation. It either didn't fall for the fish in the stocking trick, or it managed to not get stuck. I'll be making a water bottle trap today.