Bad Bristle Worm Infestation

[zeeter]

I know that they are beneficial to the tank, but I just had a LTA that died because it was eaten from the bottom up by bristle worms. It's so bad that if I run my fingers through the sandbed I get a reaction to the stings.

I've begun to underfeed my tank, but I'm wondering what other, natural methods I could try.

Three things I've heard - arrow crab: had one before but it must have died. Occasionally I did see him with worms on his claws, so I know he was going after them, and being a crab vs a fish I would imagine that they can get into crevices that other methods cannot.

Six Line Wrasse - I've heard these are hit or miss. Plus I have a cleaner wrasse so I'm not sure if they'll get along. Perhaps someone could clear that up for me.

Coral banded - again, I've heard these are hit or miss. Wouldn't mind having one just for the fun of it, though.

So I guess I'm asking what everyone has had the best luck with. I'm not one for traps.

Again - I know that they are beneficial, but I just need to keep them in check.

[StephLionfish]

Personally, I would not add any of those three that you listed into my reef tank. Six lines can get aggressive, Coral Bandeds are aggressive, and I think Arrow Crabs have made a bad name for themselves. Feeding less should fix the problem by itself.

[donya]

A word of caution about trimming the population by starvation if they have already gone after the nem: they may go after other stuff if you have things like corals and other sessile animals in the tank. I had a softie tank eaten alive several years back when I tried the same thing with a large bristleworm species (very Eurythoe-looking). Unfortunately, the population of worms I had also took out a condy anemone a couple of years prior in exactly the same way you described.

If you try to starve out the worms, I would think it's definitely worth making sure there is something to go after stray ones that get adventurous, unless there is nothing else they can damage in the tank.

[zeeter]

Why are arrow crabs worthy of a bad name? I hadn't heard that.

Donya - I read that, too. I don't want them going after my corals.

[tao chuan fa]

I have used traps with great success.I love watching my arrow crab go hunting above any other method.I kept arrow crabs in my 28g for 5 years with no problems except an occasional hermit murder.As long as you give them a piece of silverside once a week you'll be fine.An arrow should weed out the big boys and leave smaller ones until they get big enough to get caught.Good luck

[tao chuan fa]

Oh yeah,I keep evrything from soft coral to acans and stonies...arrow only cleans them of detritus.

[StephLionfish]

Arrow crabs are, like most all crabs, opportunistic feeders. They have been known to grab fish and snails, and are aggressive.