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06/22/2010, 09:38 PM | #1 |
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Bristle Worm Problems
I have had a bristle worm problem in my 90 s/w reef tank for quite a while. However; for the most part, they didn't seem to be creating any obvious havoc so I simply take out the ones that I see come out.
Today, I loaded a pricey "cleaner pack" of various snails, crabs, starfish, etc...an hour or so later when I looked in the tank, there were dozens of bristle worms having a field day with my new crustaceans! I immediately went to work with the tweezers and pulled out as many as I could...probably at least 15-20 maybe more. I have been reading about them and understand there are "good" and "bad" bristle worms....how can I tell which kind are in my tank? They are not red...more like a burnt orange color. I picked up a few with my fingers (mistake!) and got stung several times. I was told it is ok to put them in my refugium, so I have been putting them in there. Should I continue to try to rid my tank of these pests? Or are they for the most part harmless? Help! Thanks so much! Cindy
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If my tank is beautiful...life is beautiful!! Current Tank Info: 90 gl reef containing mostly mushrooms & polyps, a bubble and a leather. Tangs, green reef cromis', and a maroon clown and his carpet anemone |
06/22/2010, 09:44 PM | #2 |
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They are generally harmless, especially the small ones.
Did you drip acclimate your new inverts? If not they may have been getting cleaned up by the bristle worms. |
06/22/2010, 09:48 PM | #3 |
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Yes, I did acclimate them for a couple of hours...you may be right, though, they may be feeding on the dead ones. Is it OK that when I remove the worms I put them in my refugium?
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If my tank is beautiful...life is beautiful!! Current Tank Info: 90 gl reef containing mostly mushrooms & polyps, a bubble and a leather. Tangs, green reef cromis', and a maroon clown and his carpet anemone |
06/22/2010, 10:19 PM | #4 |
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I don't see why it would be a problem.
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06/22/2010, 10:49 PM | #5 |
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They should not pose a threat to anything.
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06/22/2010, 11:20 PM | #6 |
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http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchworms.html
Here's a link for ya for ID's, if it hurt to touch it then it's probally a fire worm and I've been lucky enough to not have any so far but I would research them to see if they're safe or not since I'm not sure about them other then the fact that they're supposed to hurt if you touch them.
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"I know where I'm going, just don't know how I'm getting there" 60g Cube>50g Sump\Cube Algae Scrubber:) 6" DSB:) Live Rock:) Caulerpa :) and nothing else! |
06/22/2010, 11:47 PM | #7 |
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Bristleworms for the most part will not attack a living moving creature, unless the worm is huge and the animal is dieing and slow. Bristle worms are actually good for your tank, they will eat the uneaten food the fish/verts don't eat. Or eat the dead carcass of fish/verts you can't get to.
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250 gallon.. tangs are the best.. the po po is not. Current Tank Info: 250 reef |
06/23/2010, 04:11 AM | #8 |
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Thx everyone for your feedback!
Another question: how do I tell if it is a fireworm vs a harmless one? The stings on my fingertips still hurt this morning. Thx! Cindy
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If my tank is beautiful...life is beautiful!! Current Tank Info: 90 gl reef containing mostly mushrooms & polyps, a bubble and a leather. Tangs, green reef cromis', and a maroon clown and his carpet anemone |
06/23/2010, 04:44 AM | #9 |
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i got stung by a fireworm once and it hurt like hell.. i also had a bristleworm problem.. my tank was infested.. so i bought a six line and it took care of it within a week (but i dont recommend buying one, you will regret it).. i also heard coral banded shrimps work
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06/23/2010, 04:59 PM | #10 |
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What's wrong with the sixline???
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06/23/2010, 05:19 PM | #11 |
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06/23/2010, 08:37 PM | #12 |
ReefB4H**s
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06/23/2010, 08:39 PM | #13 |
ReefB4H**s
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It's sad because six lines are very beautiful and interesting fish
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06/23/2010, 11:31 PM | #14 |
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Word to the wise if playing with anything in your tank. WEAR GLOVES for your protection. There some nasty things in that tank you cannot see. I once picked up a rock and a worm was under it came around and lite me up hard. Learned the lesson the hard way.
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06/23/2010, 11:53 PM | #15 | |
ReefB4H**s
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Quote:
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06/24/2010, 12:28 AM | #16 | |
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Quote:
lazluvtoo: I don't see anything wrong with most bristleworms and I consider them benificial since they scavenge and mine mostly grab stray pieces of chaeto and try to pull it under the sand lol, it's kinda amusing. The fireworms are usually a distinctive bright red, all red whith white legs (if I remember correctly) But I have a scooter blenny who devoured all of my worms that were in the display tank. Just another option for ya if you want to get rid of them.
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"I know where I'm going, just don't know how I'm getting there" 60g Cube>50g Sump\Cube Algae Scrubber:) 6" DSB:) Live Rock:) Caulerpa :) and nothing else! |
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