So after setting up my new tank I noticed I have a good amount of Bristol worms. I've been doing some research and seems like one person will say they good and the next will say they are bad. I wanted to do a quick poll to see what everyone thinks. Are they a valuable part of a CUC? Are they reef safe or is it better to try and get rid of them?
Poll- Bristle worms: good or bad
- Thread starter BC1906
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good. reef safe.
too many. bad.
to big. bad.
too many. bad.
to big. bad.
hahaa
alyee5
Active Member
Wow you read my mind....I just found this in my tank last nite...I think it's a Bristle Worm...and I threw him back in based on what I had read and been wondering if that was the right call...
My bigger question was how it got into my system...I suspect a coral frag, but I dipped in Coral Rx 2-3 and QT'd before entering my tank...
everything else was dry rock/sand...makes me wonder why I bother QT'ing sometimes...
thats not a bristle worm.Wow you read my mind....I just found this in my tank last nite...I think it's a Bristle Worm...and I threw him back in based on what I had read and been wondering if that was the right call...
My bigger question was how it got into my system...I suspect a coral frag, but I dipped in Coral Rx 2-3 and QT'd before entering my tank...
everything else was dry rock/sand...makes me wonder why I bother QT'ing sometimes...
@Lionfish @Wiz
yupJust to be sure... This is a Bristol worm right?
ChiCity
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Just to be sure... This is a Bristol worm right?
Yessir, THAT is...
I'm not sure the one posted earlier was though...
Mallard
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As others have said, they are good overall. If they start getting big or you have a population explosion, grab a wrasse who will enjoy them for dinner. If you have a huge population, then you need to look at why you have so many. But overall, a good thing to have in the tank.
ChiCity
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Your intentions are good, but i think it's a misconception that wrasse like to eat bristle worms....
Most wrasse, I think, are smart enough to avoid a mouthful of bristles
joshkirkland83
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What in the world is a Bristol worm?? Are they only found in Tennessee?
Lionfish Lair
Renee
I don't suppose you have any more pictures of that first worm, do you? @alyee5
Mallard
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Wrasses will eat bristle worms along with other inhabitants. In particular 6 line and a few others. Arrow crabs and coral banded shrimp are known to eat them as well, just not as readily. Every fish is different, so you may see different results. But to say wrasses don't want a mouth full of bristles assumes they haven't adapted. For example, would you expect a triton snail to eat the deadly crown of thorns starfish. They've adapted to the food available.
bruleyii
Active Member
Wow you read my mind....I just found this in my tank last nite...I think it's a Bristle Worm...and I threw him back in based on what I had read and been wondering if that was the right call...
My bigger question was how it got into my system...I suspect a coral frag, but I dipped in Coral Rx 2-3 and QT'd before entering my tank...
everything else was dry rock/sand...makes me wonder why I bother QT'ing sometimes...
You have a better picture? Those aren't mandibles are they?
Lionfish Lair
Renee
They're a little large to be mandibles.
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