please help ID these worms! bristle?

cerino · 05/19/2010, 10:35 PM

thank you for the help earlier on IDing my starfish - please help me ID these worms - first day seeing them & i notice them embedded in the sand - one little guy was out and about - definately seem to be nocturnal - also please advise how they grow, & what causes them? - i have had an algae problem recently (green/brown hair) - anything i should be concerned with in the tank? thank you guys in advance.

Tuscaquatics · 05/19/2010, 10:39 PM

That's a standard bristle worm. As far as I know they're harmless and considered part of a clean up crew. I do know that some people try and trap and remove them, though I'm not sure why. Sometimes I suppose they can get pretty long and intimidating. I have plenty in my tank and especially in the fuge. If you toss a shrimp pellet or something similar near their cave you can get them to come out during the day as well.

I know coral banded shrimp eat them.

cerino · 05/19/2010, 10:43 PM

im not worried about how they look - was just concerned about coral and other bio mass - how long do they live for?

thebkramer · 05/20/2010, 07:39 AM

Bristle worms are around forever seems like, and they get really long!! DON'T Touch Them!! They pack a powerful sting! They are great for your community. They eat dying matter, detritus and leftovers!

You def want them in your tank. They will not harm your corals, unless you have one that has mental issues

How are your water params? Hair algae is usual for new tanks. It also looks like you have a diatom bloom coming, or going for that matter. For now just keep plucking the hair algae out and possibly get a turbo snail or some hermits. Turbo snails will help with keeping it from getting outta control, but they do not eat long hair algae just to let you know. Again, could help if we knew your water params. Are you having an issue with nitrates or phosphates? Algae thrives on those.
Here are some of my favorite hitchhiker id links:
http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm
http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchhikers.html
http://www.melevsreef.com/id/
You are going to start seeing alot of cool and weird things and go, "holy beejeezuz what is that!!!"

If you have more ?'s ask away!!! Welcome to RC and the Addiction!!!

05/19/2010, 10:35 PM	#1
cerino Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY / NJ Posts: 198	please help ID these worms! bristle? thank you for the help earlier on IDing my starfish - please help me ID these worms - first day seeing them & i notice them embedded in the sand - one little guy was out and about - definately seem to be nocturnal - also please advise how they grow, & what causes them? - i have had an algae problem recently (green/brown hair) - anything i should be concerned with in the tank? thank you guys in advance.

05/20/2010, 07:39 AM	#4
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	Bristle worms are around forever seems like, and they get really long!! DON'T Touch Them!! They pack a powerful sting! They are great for your community. They eat dying matter, detritus and leftovers! You def want them in your tank. They will not harm your corals, unless you have one that has mental issues How are your water params? Hair algae is usual for new tanks. It also looks like you have a diatom bloom coming, or going for that matter. For now just keep plucking the hair algae out and possibly get a turbo snail or some hermits. Turbo snails will help with keeping it from getting outta control, but they do not eat long hair algae just to let you know. Again, could help if we knew your water params. Are you having an issue with nitrates or phosphates? Algae thrives on those. Here are some of my favorite hitchhiker id links: http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm http://www.chucksaddiction.com/hitchhikers.html http://www.melevsreef.com/id/ You are going to start seeing alot of cool and weird things and go, "holy beejeezuz what is that!!!" If you have more ?'s ask away!!! Welcome to RC and the Addiction!!! __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS

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05/19/2010, 10:39 PM	#2
Tuscaquatics Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 1,324	That's a standard bristle worm. As far as I know they're harmless and considered part of a clean up crew. I do know that some people try and trap and remove them, though I'm not sure why. Sometimes I suppose they can get pretty long and intimidating. I have plenty in my tank and especially in the fuge. If you toss a shrimp pellet or something similar near their cave you can get them to come out during the day as well. I know coral banded shrimp eat them.

05/19/2010, 10:43 PM	#3
cerino Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NY / NJ Posts: 198	im not worried about how they look - was just concerned about coral and other bio mass - how long do they live for?