Yucky Worm Please Help

[BamboozleBean]

What the heck is this little guy, this is the first time I’ve seen him. He’s about 3/4 of an inch long, half black and half pinkish. Looks very spiky, a quick response would be great so I can get rid of him while he’s out. If I need too. I think it might be a bristle worm but I’m not sure, I just don’t like it. When I saw it I turned the light on and it almost... deflated and got super tiny.

 

[Dancingmad]

If you see one there's probably a bazillion. They're good CUC (and largely unavoidable) IMO. they can get outta hand if you overfeed.

 

[BamboozleBean]

If you see one there's probably a bazillion. They're good CUC (and largely unavoidable) IMO. they can get outta hand if you overfeed.

So I should leave them alone? My tank is still cycling so I could starve them out.

 

[BamboozleBean]

If you see one there's probably a bazillion. They're good CUC (and largely unavoidable) IMO. they can get outta hand if you overfeed.

Would they be a problem for any coral.

 

[Jamo7]

They won’t be a problem at all. There good IMO. Leave it be you won’t see them much. If you do touch one wear gloves. But leave them be they are alright.

 

[BamboozleBean]

Update, there’s two of them.
Why’d they just decide to come out now? Halloween maybe?

 

[BamboozleBean]

They won’t be a problem at all. There good IMO. Leave it be you won’t see them much. If you do touch one wear gloves. But leave them be they are alright.

Is it a bristle worm?

 

[flsalty]

Is it a bristle worm?

Yes.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Bristleworm not welcome in my tanks but harmless until you touch them.

 

[Nanoreefer4ever]

Bristle worms beneficial for reef tank bit when they get bigger, it's better to remove them

 

[Kobin]

They help clean up detritus but can reproduce pretty quickly. Personally, I try to keep them out of my tank. I've seen my yellow coris wrasse eat them at times

 

[vetteguy53081]

Arrow crabs will devour them

 

[DSC reef]

So I should leave them alone? My tank is still cycling so I could starve them out.

From what I've read in your other posts, your tank is completing the cycle. I would leave the tank alone along with what you've been finding. Your just now starting to see a little biodiversity which is what you want in a tank. Please don't add arrow crabs or fish to eat the bristle worms, (never seen them do much anyway) as your tank is still new and is now just starting to create a foundation of your ecosystem.

 

[BamboozleBean]

From what I've read in your other posts, your tank is completing the cycle. I would leave the tank alone along with what you've been finding. Your just now starting to see a little biodiversity which is what you want in a tank. Please don't add arrow crabs or fish to eat the bristle worms, (never seen them do much anyway) as your tank is still new and is now just starting to create a foundation of your ecosystem.

Thank you, I appreciate the good info. I’ll definitely let them be.

 

[DSC reef]

Thank you, I appreciate the good info. I’ll definitely let them be.

Your welcome

 

[BamboozleBean]

From what I've read in your other posts, your tank is completing the cycle. I would leave the tank alone along with what you've been finding. Your just now starting to see a little biodiversity which is what you want in a tank. Please don't add arrow crabs or fish to eat the bristle worms, (never seen them do much anyway) as your tank is still new and is now just starting to create a foundation of your ecosystem.

When they get too big is removal an option?

 

[Lovemyreef2015]

I wouldn't worry about removing the common bristleworms. I think we sometimes overreact on things that are beneficial to our systems.

 

[DSC reef]

When they get too big is removal an option?

Absolutely but you have a long time before you need to worry. Remember, amount of food available will determine the numbers. They are excellent scavengers.

 

[stanleo]

I am bummed that my tank is 9 months old and I haven't seen any. I think anything that doesn't hurt fish or coral and eats leftover food and detritus is a good thing to have in a tank.

 

[Idoc]

I actually introduced one to my DT in order to increase my biodiversity. Now, i catch little tiny ones in my filter sock. I try to rescue them and return to the DT. They're good to help clean up tanks.

They do give a nasty sting, though. I felt a finger start burning after i picked up a frag plug once...a little one was under it and i grabbed it accidentally.