over 100 Bristle Worms

[CPINKLEY21]

Bristle worms,
I was wanted to get something to help control the bristle worms in my tank. When I feed my fish I can count over 100 of them and I think that is just too many. I wanted to see if any one has I arrow crab to how it does in a reef tank. My biggest consider is that I have I peppermint shrimp, do you think they would get along ok?

[sir_dudeguy]

i dont really see why you want to get rid of the bristle worms as they're good for the tank, but if you do i dont know if i'd try an arrow crab. I think they're safe with corals but i've heard that they'll go after stuff like your peppermint and other crabs/snails.

[gillies]

Feed less and leave them alone.

[zedman]

I agree with gillies, also their population density is pretty much dependent on how much food is available. I would take out the really big ones with twizers.

Zed

[CPINKLEY21]

I ONLY FEED ONE TIME DAYLY VERY LITTLE. THEY ARE GOOD FOR THE TANK BUT AT THIS POINT I HAVE SO MANY I CAN NOT COUNT THEM ALL. THEY ARE IN THE LR, AND CC, I DON'T THINK YOU UNDER STAND HOW MANY I'M TALKING ABOUT.

[kiknchikn]

Take a pic of them to show us then? =P

[ACBlinky]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8404651#post8404651 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CPINKLEY21
I ONLY FEED ONE TIME DAYLY VERY LITTLE. THEY ARE GOOD FOR THE TANK BUT AT THIS POINT I HAVE SO MANY I CAN NOT COUNT THEM ALL. THEY ARE IN THE LR, AND CC, I DON'T THINK YOU UNDER STAND HOW MANY I'M TALKING ABOUT. No need to shout! ;)

The worm population will fluctuate with the amount you're feeding (they're feeding on the food itself as well as extra poop/detritus that results from overfeeding) I wouldn't get an arrow crab or other worm-eating animal, just rely on manual removal and feeding less to control their current numbers; the population will eventually settle at a lower number if you reduce the amount of available food.

[familyreefer]

I know what you mean. I had what seemed like millions. It was digusting to view the tank. Even non hobbiest guest at my home would get freaked out. I started picking them out one by one untill I now only see a few now and then. I say for every one you see there are at least ten you don't. It took me about a year but now they are at tolerable levels. As far as being good for the tank....Draino is good for clogs but you wouldn't want to soak your pipes in it!

[Shagsbeard]

Sell them... start a business. Hobbyists want them. Fishermen want them.

There are bristle worm traps available, and they'll help you harvest them. I'd buy a dozen off you if you were close by. Your LFS might give you some store credit if you caught them... they might even lend you a trap to catch them.

[CPINKLEY21]

familyreefer

Thank you for you info

[TekCat]

Yeah! Send me some! :)

[sir_dudeguy]

I DON'T THINK YOU UNDER STAND HOW MANY I'M TALKING ABOUT.

trust me, we all DO know how many you're talking about, as just about every tank has hundreds of them.

No need to shout! :)
agreed :)

But like the others said, if you really want them out then get one of those traps. Some will say sixline wrasses eat them but i never saw my sixline eat a single one tho i've got a ton of them all the time.

[luke30mm]

Ill take some pm me if your interested

[2fishy]

You all can have the one really big one that is hanging out on my sargassum at night! Ewww!;) If you have some that are too big to fit into a trap you can always try putting food into some pantyhose. Their bristles get stuck to it. Just don't touch them with your bare hands!:D

[onecrzyboi4u]

I'll take some if you don't want them.. but if you don't want them.. then heres something you can do.

Get a womans stocking. put food in the stocking to make a ball.. then place in the tank over night. in the morning take the stocking out and throw out..

[zedman]

I pulled a big one out with my fingers and the next day they were numb(my fingers)

Zed

[yakfishin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8412288#post8412288 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zedman
I pulled a big one out with my fingers and the next day they were numb(my fingers)

Zed

Why would you do a thing like that??:D

[boomsticks]

I was rearanging my rock and had about four or five (lost count due to pain) crawling down my wrist! Man, the next day my whole hand was burning. I find that they also make a good substitute for chicken.

[2swift]

Does the stocking thing really work?
I've just been sucking the big ones out with a turky baster with a 1/2
hose on the end.

[hwyman]

buy some of my chaeto and you can have a ton......