View Full Version : Caught 2 bristleworms. WWYD?
Piper1
10/27/2007, 01:14 PM
I was about to introduce a new coral to my tank, when I found 2 good sized bristle worms on it. I pulled them off with tweezers, and put the coral in the tank. What would you do with the worms? Flush them, or put them in the tank to eat ditrius? also, I should say that I don't have any in my tank right now, so I don't worry when I move stuff around. That good feeling would be gone if I released them.
LeslieH
10/27/2007, 01:19 PM
It would probably be more accurate to say you don't think you have them now. :) Just about every rock has them. The smaller ones tend to come out only at night or stay inside their tubes and burrows. Can you post an image of the worms? Odds are good that they will be beneficial species.
Piper1
10/27/2007, 01:26 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11064210#post11064210 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LeslieH
It would probably be more accurate to say you don't think you have them now. :) Just about every rock has them. The smaller ones tend to come out only at night or stay inside their tubes and burrows. Can you post an image of the worms? Odds are good that they will be beneficial species.
Good point. lol I don't think I have them right now.. :D
Here are a couple of pics.
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/topgun121/aquapod%2024/100_1519.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e370/topgun121/aquapod%2024/100_1518.jpg
LeslieH
10/27/2007, 01:30 PM
Thanks Piper. Those appear to be small Eurythoe complanata which is the most common worm in tanks. It's a detritivore and a good guy.
Mattmcf
10/27/2007, 01:36 PM
I say throw them back in the tank. They will only help your system. Plus there are probally a lot more in there already that you don't know about.
Raynman
10/27/2007, 08:09 PM
I will promise you that if you FOUND two of these guys, your tank has 20 +or- per gallon. They are fine and benificial, even bought by many for their cleaning habits. I have dug larger ones ( 6"+) from holes in rock, and never seen them before I tore down the tank. I NEVER experienced problems with soft or hard corals with these.
If you want to see for yourself, pull a small porous rock from your tank and put it under fresh water from your sink, they will come out to let you see them. These guys are everywhere, you can believe that... put them back in... If you want to trim your population... try an arrow crab.... cool invert.....! Ray
sunfish11
10/27/2007, 09:56 PM
Yah, don't worry about it. Put them back. Your bristle worm population will self adjust based on their environment and available food.
ihopss
10/27/2007, 10:15 PM
Save the worms!
I'd put 'em right back in, because bristleworms are said to break down fish poo and other detritus to a size corals can absorb. Some say there wouldn't BE any corals [probably an exaggeration] without bristleworms, but they are definitely an asset.
Don't touch them without gloves on, however. Latex gloves will protect your fingers when moving rocks.
Gdevine
10/27/2007, 11:08 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11066862#post11066862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wmullins
Save the worms!
Right on!
Why is there such a aversion to worms? With the very rare exception of a few, almost all are wonderful critters that just add to the biological systems we maintain.
All I can think of it's just a lack of not understanding and doing the necessary research this hobby sometimes commands.
Long live the worms!
uscharalph
10/28/2007, 01:37 AM
The big ones creep me out! LOL!!!
jmarti705
10/28/2007, 10:50 PM
I GOT WORMS!
lol to anyone who has seen dumb and dumber
flyyyguy
10/29/2007, 01:27 AM
Once they get big enough to scare you you get to name them
http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h181/flyyyguy/pics/worm1.jpg
StunnaShadez
10/29/2007, 02:00 AM
what did you name it?
rickyfins
10/29/2007, 03:55 AM
Limpy?
Betcha he isn't very friendly now is he? HE HE.
Good photo!
And again SAVE THE WORMS, WELL MOST OF THEM. Kill the ones you name @$#(*!*&($# when you find them.*
*For reference see picture above!
flyyyguy
10/29/2007, 09:33 AM
He lived in my sump for a while and then he got sucked into a mag 36 and was sent back to the sisplay as a bunch of really short fat worms.
That pic is actualy a couple years old and he came out of a predator tank with crushed coral and he wasnt the biggest that came out of there. I have seen parts of him i think a few times since then. Not hard ot miss.......bristworms dont grow like that in my systems anymore so he is still really short fat worms
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