What to do with bristle worms

[Custom05Taco]

I have to Manny Bristle worms what do I do with them?

 

[ClownAquatics]

Get a trap to get rid of them, the most popular one seems to be
Coralife Trap`Em - Bristle Worm Trap

 

[thirty6]

How big are they? Some wrasse will eat em up depending on size of the worm

 

[shookONES]

Sleeper gobies seem to devour them as well.

 

[skene]

sautee with garlic and oil... yummm... :wink1:

 

[lfsmarineguy]

Define "too many".

Are they crawling all over the sand and rock during the day in large numbers?

 

[Custom05Taco]

Define "too many".

Are they crawling all over the sand and rock during the day in large numbers?

No only when I feed they all come out. There has to be at least 10-15 of various sizes the biggest is about 10". I have a 14 gal Biocube so it seems like a lot.

I've seen the traps just don't know what to do with them once I catch them. I don't want to just throw them away.

 

[thirty6]

I hate them I'd have no prob getting rid of em

 

[jgraz]

If I was only closer I would take all you could catch.

 

[rookie07]

Dont feed so much. Their numbers will thin out if you reduce excess food.

 

[radiata]

Dottybacks, like Friedmanis and Springeris, will eat the smaller bristle worms. Bird Wrasses will eat larger ones, but they are not known to be reef friendly. I've seen 6" ones in my system, but never 10" ones. If you want to get rid of larger ones, suggest you pick them out with 10" pickle tongs and flush them. Just don't handle them with your bare hands.

However, on a positive note, the reproductive modes of bristle worms do add to the live plankton available for your corals to consume...

 

[basiab]

In a small tank I would get rid of any over 2 inches. As others said, if there are too many it means there is lots for them to eat. You can offer to give them away or get rid of them via freezing.

 

[saltwaterinbrooklyn]

1 malanarus wrasse and dinner is served!!!

 

[peteyboyny]

dont feed so much. Their numbers will thin out if you reduce excess food.

+1

 

[peteyboyny]

latex gloves with a rubberband around your wrist to physically remove them.

 

[rookie07]

1 malanarus wrasse and dinner is served!!!

He has a 14 gl tank!

For this size tank, the only option is manual removal. I say leave them (unless they start eating your fish, which I doubt will happen).
Also, you cant measure them when they are stretched out...they can stretch a lot. There is no way you have 10" bristle worms in your tank. Also, water magnifies everything by 25%.

 

[skene]

Sure fire bristle trap...

1 cocktail shrimp halve
1 pantyhose stocking (your choice in brand and color)

Set shrimp inside of pantyliner. Place in bottom of tank. Leave overnight.
Remove with as many bristleworms that get trapped in/on stocking.
Repeat if necessary.

 

[pkane11384]

sure fire bristle trap...

1 cocktail shrimp halve
1 pantyhose stocking (your choice in brand and color)

set shrimp inside of pantyliner. Place in bottom of tank. Leave overnight.
Remove with as many bristleworms that get trapped in/on stocking.
Repeat if necessary.

+1