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Unread 04/17/2006, 06:54 PM   #1
dustybuddy
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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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Unread 04/17/2006, 06:57 PM   #2
Amphiprion
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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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Unread 04/17/2006, 09:42 PM   #3
dustybuddy
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arent fireworms the bad ones...cus these guys are pretty big.


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Unread 04/17/2006, 10:33 PM   #4
Fast Fred
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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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Unread 04/18/2006, 08:02 AM   #5
dustybuddy
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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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Unread 04/18/2006, 08:16 AM   #6
Amphiprion
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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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Unread 04/19/2006, 01:05 AM   #7
bertoni
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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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Unread 04/19/2006, 07:32 PM   #8
dustybuddy
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then could anyone tell me how my starfish could have died...


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Unread 04/20/2006, 04:29 PM   #9
bertoni
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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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