Bristle worms and vermetid snails

oxford · 09/13/2010, 06:43 PM

Hello, all. I have a newly set up 29g tank that is nearing cycle completion. Current inhabitants include only LR hitchhikers: a few small hermit crabs, several asterina stars, tons of smallish serpent stars, and a variety of worms. I have ordered a small CUC of snails from reefcleaners.org that includes dwarf ceriths, nassarius, Florida ceriths and nerites.

Tonight I observed a pretty gnarly looking critter that appears to be a bristle worm. I haven't been able to get a good look at him, but he is 2-3 centimeters in diameter. I haven't been able to observe his full length, but he is 2+ inches. I've read a variety of posts about these guys--the basic consensus seems to be that they are ugly but worthy CUC members. Even so, I would like to keep them somewhat in check. I don't have a sump or refugium to banish them to, and I don't know if I could catch them anyway.

I have seen some mentions of shrimp and gobies that eat bristle worms, but I don't want to endanger the snails that are on the way. Any thoughts?

I also noticed some spider web looking things this evening that I think are vermetid snails. Good, bad or indifferent?

theatrus · 09/13/2010, 07:02 PM

Six lines or coral banded shrimps are reported to eat bristle worms. However, your mileage may vary. The worms are not commonly seen during the day. None of the above is a threat to your cleanup crew.

The snails are also fine, though can be ugly if you get a huge concentration. Some hermits will snack on the smails.

Jstdv8 · 09/13/2010, 08:42 PM

bristleworms are some of the best cleanup crew you can have.

09/13/2010, 06:43 PM	#1
oxford Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DC metro (Montgomery County) Posts: 58	Bristle worms and vermetid snails Hello, all. I have a newly set up 29g tank that is nearing cycle completion. Current inhabitants include only LR hitchhikers: a few small hermit crabs, several asterina stars, tons of smallish serpent stars, and a variety of worms. I have ordered a small CUC of snails from reefcleaners.org that includes dwarf ceriths, nassarius, Florida ceriths and nerites. Tonight I observed a pretty gnarly looking critter that appears to be a bristle worm. I haven't been able to get a good look at him, but he is 2-3 centimeters in diameter. I haven't been able to observe his full length, but he is 2+ inches. I've read a variety of posts about these guys--the basic consensus seems to be that they are ugly but worthy CUC members. Even so, I would like to keep them somewhat in check. I don't have a sump or refugium to banish them to, and I don't know if I could catch them anyway. I have seen some mentions of shrimp and gobies that eat bristle worms, but I don't want to endanger the snails that are on the way. Any thoughts? I also noticed some spider web looking things this evening that I think are vermetid snails. Good, bad or indifferent? Last edited by oxford; 09/13/2010 at 06:44 PM. Reason: clarification

09/13/2010, 07:02 PM	#2
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Six lines or coral banded shrimps are reported to eat bristle worms. However, your mileage may vary. The worms are not commonly seen during the day. None of the above is a threat to your cleanup crew. The snails are also fine, though can be ugly if you get a huge concentration. Some hermits will snack on the smails. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

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09/13/2010, 08:42 PM	#3
Jstdv8 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Wasilla, Alaska Posts: 1,420	bristleworms are some of the best cleanup crew you can have.