bristleworms

[wschang812]

have some in my tank. what kind of natural predators will control the population? any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[TOTAL AQUARIUMS]

Why do you want to control them? They feed on detritus and help aerate the sand bed.

 

[wschang812]

i heard if they overpopulate, they can cause problems. dont mind some but i want to make sure they are controlled. i heard they may even eat fish if they get large enough

 

[Pedro Nuno Ferreira]

i heard if they overpopulate, they can cause problems. don't mind some but i want to make sure they are controlled. i heard they may even eat fish if they get large enough

Hi...you heard...well then I suggest you read the facts from a reliable source like Dr. Ronald L. Shimek...Bristleworms and then you will be able to judge and decide better.

Such reactions are based on ignorance; these are some of the most beneficial animals that it is possible to have in a marine reef tank. Eurythoe individuals are scavengers and will only consume dead or dying animals.
Reports of them attacking live animals have universally been shown to be reports of them being first on the scene of newly dead animals as efficient scavengers.

Cheers
Pedro Nuno;-)

 

[bacalao]

I have atleast 16 bristle worms in my 24 g nano cube. I do want some worms in my tank but it makes me uncomfortable having so many in such a small tank.Also, they are just plain nasty looking things.

I have been able to get rid of some by simply picking up one of the smaller rocks in my tank. You may find some in or under those. Also, when I "vaccum" the sand bed some worms tend to go into the tube.

Finally, if you have the patience, you can take a cup and cut some small holes into it then put a piece of squid or fish in it and place the cup on the bottom of you tank. Leave it in over night and you should find some worms stuck in the cup when you wake up. Good Luck.

 

[KathyC]

Bristleworms are best controlled by not overfeeding the tank. They will grow to a population level that you are feeding for.

 

[Killerdrgn]

Here's a good reason to get rid of bristle worms every so often.

and here it is stretched out to normal length

Yes that sucker is arm length, pulled it out of my 90 at my parents house this weekend.

 

[wschang812]

thats just nastyy, thats why i want to control their population.

 

[MARCOANTONIOJR]

I had a 29 gallon nano cube when i first started out, at first i heard they were harmless so i didn't mind having them but they are gross looking, i had bought a yellow watchmen goby , one day i saw him eating a worm, ever since i had got him my population went down to zero. when i upgraded to a 120 i moved those rocks from my nano i noticed i had not one bristle worm, usually when u move your rocks and look at the bottom of the rock they would be hiding there. In my 120 i am free of worms I have none thanks to him. try him out, they are cool to watch anyway.

 

[MARCOANTONIOJR]

p.s. i doubt he'll eat one as big as that pic above, but i know he ate one like 2 inches long.

 

[NYreefNoob]

i have a ton in my ap24g and glad i do, i run skimmerless and these guys help keep the tank clean and i got ones that make the one pictured look small. i have a yellow watchman also and never seen him touch one, alot of halichorus species of wrasse's will eat them or a 6 line