[dulla1000]

One thing I learnt on this forum is for the most part, sharing information from experience and research has been a great asset to this complex but addictive hobby. But every once in a while hobbyist tend to share information that is based on perception and not factual. Prime example is the arrow crab. This creature gets so much bad publicity I would wonder why LFS even carry it. Heres my experience with the arrow crab.

So a few months ago I mentioned i was going reef. Slowly preparing my tank and adding livestock to help clean(snails, red hermit crabs etc. adding a sump)etc. Then one night to my amazement I noticed I terribly long worm, at first i thought it was neat, then i started reading the forum and doing research. It was the dreaded Fire worm!!!!

Fire worms and bristle worms are bad for the aquarium. Is this perception or fact? I dont have any live coral or anemones, but according to some they still harmful, others say they actually kill fish, one hobbyist even said he's livestock was being wiped out by these worms, yet others said they were harmless. So I went to the books. According to one researcher these creatures have a bad rep because they ugly and become many but he said are very useful. They do not attack livestock (excluding coral), they mainly defend. The spikes on the skin can harm a fish but not kill it unless it is continuously stung over and over again. This only occurs if the fish messes with it, but after the first sting most fish stay away since its a very unpleasant experience. I have monitored and watched these worms for no less than 1 month, they have not attacked the snails or hermit crabs. They feel around and when they feel something moving they just continue searching for debris. my hermits sleep right next to them and still not one of my crew have been injured or harmed including the worms over 6 inches.

But nonetheless as i mentioned I'm going reef so these worms are harmful to coral and anemones, so I plan to rid of them. That brings me to another issue. The one i am currently researching, the arrow crab(to me a beautiful specimen when watched closely and very misunderstood). Just like the worms he is defensive but when left alone just goes about doing what he does best cleaning the tank, eating the worms and eating debris. He doesn't mess with the fish, snails or hermits. I watched him feel around them and continue searching for food. I will keep him for a while and return him to the store when i ready to buy coral, anemones and shrimp. But for now he is doing a great job and doing no harm to my live stock I will continue to monitor him, but feel he too gets a bad rep because hobbyist consider him scary and too aggressive.

So what to believe is becoming a problem, I personally don't comment on hearsay. I like to research and hear from those who actually experience what they talking about. I am still learning and know that when i go reef i will have to return the arrow to the LFS. But for now he is a wonderful addition to my tank and I can watch him for hours.

My fellow please inform from experience and research on the issue of the arrow crab and the fire worm. Thanks

[rlcline76]

Well, since you just want first hand observation...I witnessed a bristleworm chew a whole in the matting of a star polyp. But then again, I watched my coral banded shrimp eat that worm. Outside of that, I have not had any problems with bristleworms. I don't worry about them.

[e_baer]

I am not sure why you would want to return the arrow crab. I have one in my reef tank, and love him! I only wish I got the decorator arrow crab.

they are definatly useful in reef setting like you said about the worms.

They are just a neat addition in general with the long legs.

[dulla1000]

Originally Posted by rlcline76

Well, since you just want first hand observation...I witnessed a bristleworm chew a whole in the matting of a star polyp. But then again, I watched my coral banded shrimp eat that worm. Outside of that, I have not had any problems with bristleworms. I don't worry about them.

As far as eating really slow moving invertebrate/anenomes or coral makes sense, but not attacking fish I don't know.

But everyones circumstance is different, thats why hearsay is too vague and nothing beats first hand experience.

Thanks for your input though.

[dulla1000]

Originally Posted by e_baer

I am not sure why you would want to return the arrow crab. I have one in my reef tank, and love him! I only wish I got the decorator arrow crab.

they are definatly useful in reef setting like you said about the worms.

They are just a neat addition in general with the long legs.

I have had mine for about 3 weeks, but i still see alot of fire/bristle worms. He stays in one corner of the tank.

When will he start roaming around eating the worms?
He just shed his skin?
He is about 6 inches in size and looks like he is constantly eating.

Thanks

[e_baer]

I beleive they eat at night, like many crabs do.

[krsult]

I have no problem with mine. I just returned my anemone because he was ripping the legs off my Arrow. He has 3 legs left plus his 2 claws. I was wondering if those legs will grow back. I do have one or two bristle worms that I have seen. I think it is two one looked bigger than the other. The arrow crab has not feed on them yet he just eats the food I put in for the fish. Let me know if his legs will grow back or do I have a cripled arrow.

[dulla1000]

Originally Posted by krsult

I have no problem with mine. I just returned my anemone because he was ripping the legs off my Arrow. He has 3 legs left plus his 2 claws. I was wondering if those legs will grow back. I do have one or two bristle worms that I have seen. I think it is two one looked bigger than the other. The arrow crab has not feed on them yet he just eats the food I put in for the fish. Let me know if his legs will grow back or do I have a cripled arrow.

According to an article i read they will grow back, I quote
"crabs can regrow their limbs if they are broken off. In fact there is a special "weakness plane" across the leg, so that if a predator grasps the limb, the leg breaks off, and special muscles contract and pinch off the nerves and stem the loss of fluid. It takes about six or so moults to regrow a severed limb. Each time they moult their new limb regrows a bit more. Crabs will fight each other over pretty much anything, Food, mates and a place to hide. Crabs use their claws to warn each other off and its often the crab with the biggest claw will avoid the confrontation by just waving his claw at his opponent. "

[krsult]

Thank you.