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04/17/2006, 06:54 PM | #1 |
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Fireworm Control
it seems my fromia starfish is a tasty meal for the fireworms in my rock. how should i get rid of them?
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04/17/2006, 06:57 PM | #2 |
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It would only be threatened by rare predatory species (obviously highly unlikely) or if it is dying (very likely in Fromia species). I would not worry about the vast majority of them--if anything, they are beneficial scavengers.
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You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO |
04/17/2006, 09:42 PM | #3 |
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arent fireworms the bad ones...cus these guys are pretty big.
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04/17/2006, 10:33 PM | #4 |
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Do you ever see them during the daytime? Or only at night. Fireworms will be out during the day, and bristleworms only at night. Bristleworms are good scavengers. How big is the 'big' worm?
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Ya know, for a clown fish, you're not very funny! Member of the New Jersey Reefers Club Current Tank Info: 125g Reef Ready AGA /55g Top Fin Tank for a sump/refugium/ LifeReef Skimmer/ Changing over to SPS only |
04/18/2006, 08:02 AM | #5 |
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about 5mm thick. and only like 5 cm comes out of his cave. my 6 line wrasse doesnt eat him...
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04/18/2006, 08:16 AM | #6 |
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Fireworms are very specific coral predators, meaning that if you have one, it will most likely be on a coral at some point in time. Also, if you can look at the head, the "fireworm" Hermodice carunculata has a bright red patch on top of the head.
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You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO |
04/19/2006, 01:05 AM | #7 |
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Well, to be technical, one species of fireworm is predatory, Hermodica carunculata. Other fireworms are beneficial, including Eurythoe complanata, a common detritivore kit animal. H. carunculata is out during the day, but most other fireworms aren't. Fireworms are those bristleworms with venomous calcium carbonate spines.
Size is not a good marker. I've seen 10-12" of one worm, with more in the rock, but not a problem species. http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-04/rs/index.php
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04/19/2006, 07:32 PM | #8 |
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then could anyone tell me how my starfish could have died...
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04/20/2006, 04:29 PM | #9 |
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Starfish often don't do well in our tanks. They require careful treatment in transit and careful acclimation. In addition, many types don't seem to be able to get enough food to survive. The serpent stars and small asterinids are an exception.
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