Bristle worms, bad or good?

[nelcadiz]

hi!! I have somes bristle worms at my tank (about 4 of 2-4 cm) and I would like to know if these guys are safe reef :rolleyes:

[Surfzone]

for the most part those guys will eat a bit of the foods that are left over however the problem is if you have too many. this can cause the worms to search for other food sources. Try looking in the tank after the lights go out give it about an hour in the dark and come back and look in the tank with a flash light. That is when the worms like to come out. Remember a few don't hurt, but in mass they can by a problem.

[nelcadiz]

Ok, but why can be a problem in mass?

[dendro982]

If you will not feed almost all day long, as I do, then unlikely you will see this:
http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g78/dendro982/Some%20of%20the%20tanks/Problems/Jun24_08redXmasbw.jpg

In any case, there are some methods of their control, including siphoning out, traps (commercial, inverted tube, pantyhose, kitchen scrub pads (plastic, not metal)), arrow crab, marine betta fish and some dottybacks.

[nelcadiz]

I´m worried if the worms attack to coral or other animal....

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13119500#post13119500 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nelcadiz
I´m worried if the worms attack to coral or other animal....
stop worrying :)

[crvz]

They're scavengers, they're not going to attack anything. If you see them on something, it's because it was already dead. They can be a nuisance and some folks get a skin irritation when touched, but otherwise they're rather beneficial.

[nelcadiz]

Okay, thanks for all ;)