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bristle worm??????

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Travis G, Jan 23, 2013.

  1. Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    hey all i picked up a frag and i think the rock has a bristle worm... [​IMG][​IMG]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 22, 2018
  2. JB Veteran Reefkeeper

    Marion
    Ratings:
    +3 / 0 / -0
    Yep, they are great detrivores and harmless.
     
  3. Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    really? i googled it and showed pics of people that had been bit. looked terrible. i always thought they were bad.
     
  4. nickbuol Here fishy, fishy, fishy...

    718
    Marion, IA
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    They weren't bit, they were "stung" by the "bristles". But I understand the concern. I have a number of bristle worms in my tank, and they are completely hidden until food hits the water. Then they come out of the smallest little holes in the liverock. Nothing else can really get into those spots, and they really don't hurt anything, so I am leaving mine. I know that there are horror stories of this super long bristleworms, but even then I hear that they are fairly harmless, al beit a bit ugly.
     
  5. Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

    North liberty, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    That's why you always ware gloves when handling live rock if possible. The fire bristle-worm or Fireworm is the bad one. Its all red I think. Thats the one that will eat coral and just about everything. They get very thick and very big quickly. Here is a youtube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_KbY2-hV_4

    Remember with any unknown creature in you reef tank. If in doubt, take it out.


    KP
     
  6. Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    would a fw dip kill it? if so how long should i let it sit in the fw? its a small rock with a couple mushrooms.
     
  7. NotDeadYet

    NotDeadYet Inactive User

    20
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    You can make a trap with a 20oz bottle and some superglue and try trapping it. Take your bottle and cut off the top 1/4 &#91;== and turn around the spout < so it can easily crawl in but not so easily crawl out, leave some food * inside the bottle &#91;*==< (terrible picture, I know). The idea is to draw the worm in and be too small to catch fish, I've never tried it because I like the little buggers for extra odd creatures creeping around and I'm not good at cleaning my tank, but the theory seems sound. Just put it close to the frag, or on the bottom of your tank and see who crawls in. If you do it, let me know how it works, and yell "Justice" when you trap something. If you dont yell, or say it at a normal volume with autority, Santa wont visit your house. Good luck!
     
  8. Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    you just made me wake my wife up because i started laughing so hard because of the JUSTICE! part. lol only problem is that my tank is only a 5 gal and a bottle wont fit...
     
  9. nickbuol Here fishy, fishy, fishy...

    718
    Marion, IA
    Ratings:
    +17 / 0 / -0
    I've heard of people taking small "Tupperware" type containers, cutting an "X" into the lid, again too skinny of cuts for fish to get in, but just thick enough for a worm or two to wiggle through. Put a piece of shrimp or other temping food item in the container, submerge it in your tank and wait. Do this in the evening, and in the morning you should have some trapped worms.

    Same idea as the bottle, but you can use whatever size container that works. Of course, don't use your wife's favorite container, or go to Walmart/HyVee and get some cheap "Glad" or generic Tupperware style containers on the cheap and be done with it.
     
  10. You can use one of the mini bottles they have now. The 8oz ones
     
  11. Rocketmann

    Rocketmann

    242
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I caught mine when it was out at night. Pretty long sucker.
     
  12. Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

    North liberty, IA
    Ratings:
    +7 / 0 / -0
    +1 yep caught one at night also
     
  13. Travis G

    Travis G Experienced Reefkeeper

    Ratings:
    +1 / 0 / -0
    tonight if i can see the little booger ill snatch him out. i know they arnt that bad but i dont wnt one more thing to worry about when i stick my hands in the tank
     

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