[MatthewR]

Hey I think I have bristle worms, what is the best way to get rid of these things, please help me before they spread, I hear they can kill your live rock, and spread very quickly.

[john1105]

I am still fairly new at this, but I have heard that as long as the bristle worm population does not get out of control that they can be a benificial scavenger for an aquarium. I might try letting them be for now. Just don't overfeed the tank, which could lead to the population getting out of hand. If they seem to be a problem already, I have heard of fashioning a trap out of a nylon stocking, or you could get a six-line wrasse which would eat them.

[dori9941]

Reef Aquarium Nuisance Invertebrates: Aquarium Pest Trap for Bristle worms, & Mantis Shrimp
id try to find a cheaer one though

[MatthewR]

I have a question, what if the rock is loaded with them? what would I do if that is the case? I have a small green tube bristle worm catcher, but they don't seem to be coming after it? Maybe I am not putting enough food in it? And how bad are these little critters?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

First off dont listen to whoever told you they can kill live rock any more,thats just silly.If you have as many as you say some will start to starve to death soon.If you really need to get rid of them there are natural and fun ways to do it.Cral banded shrimp love to eat them and so do certain wrasse's.These critters are an important part of your tanks bio diversity dont get rid of all of them.If you just see the worms in and on the rock but not in the sand it may not be bristle worms.

[MatthewR]

I see them in the rocks, and are diffenetly light shy, but I havn't seen them come out of the rocks yet, not all the way atleast. I see them pook there heads out and that is about it. I am going to try and get a pic of these little guys, but the main question, if it is not a bristle worm, is it still bad for my tank?

[MatthewR]

oh yeah, I don't have sand, all I have is crushed coral on the bottom of my tank, should I put in sand? and if so, would I just take some coral out and put sand on top of it? I put 80 pounds of coral in, and 1 bag of live coral when I bought the tank. If I should have put in sand I am going to be very mad at the lfs, because i don't think they have a clue on what they are doing. I have been having problems with them helping me get my tank running, and well everything that I paid for as well.

[lynnvangsnes]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

First off dont listen to whoever told you they can kill live rock any more,thats just silly.If you have as many as you say some will start to starve to death soon.If you really need to get rid of them there are natural and fun ways to do it.Cral banded shrimp love to eat them and so do certain wrasse's.These critters are an important part of your tanks bio diversity dont get rid of all of them.If you just see the worms in and on the rock but not in the sand it may not be bristle worms.

Dale is correct. Bristleworms are helpful as they stir up your sand. Fireworms are a type of bristleworm that can be harmful to corals (people too!) as they can sting. I agree with Dale. They are helpful and diversity in a tank is always better.

[dori9941]

Most go with sand. They had to help me with that too. lfs said crushed coral

[dori9941]

Originally Posted by lynnvangsnes

Dale is correct. Bristleworms are helpful as they stir up your sand. Fireworms are a type of bristleworm that can be harmful to corals (people too!) as they can sting. I agree with Dale. They are helpful and diversity in a tank is always better.

very good advice, these two

[MatthewR]

how can you tell if they are fireworms? I have seen them in the coral from time to time, but mostly in the LR

[lynnvangsnes]

The fireworms have hundreds of tiny spines sticking out of their sides, in addition to their "feet". I have only seen pics...they are very ugly and I understand they can get up to 13" long in a tank. If they are the bad ones, there are types of shrimp that will eat them. Watch your corals, and make sure they stay happy. If they get stung, they will probably exihibit some poor coloring or posture.

[IceMan]

try wetwebmedia, you can find some good pics and intel there, you'll def see the difference in the two worms

[jimw369]

Try the RB library too, Ill bet there is something there.