Anaconda bristleworm likes escargot

new2us

new2us

Member
I have found quite a few threads regarding bristleworms and there seems to be mixed review on whether to rid your tank of them if possible, or to be joyous in their existence since they remove debris (detritus?) from the sandbed and rocks. I have seen pictures of them and they look harmless enough.
Well, guess what??? We have some ordinary bristleworms in our tank - some regular sized ones, a few baby ones, and then there is this one anaconda sized one. This one is really long and, apparently, really hungry! The other night I found him wrapped around one of our Mexican turbos. There was nothing wrong with this snail. Not long before the lights went out, he was grazing away on his rock. About 30 minutes after lights out, I was peering in the tank to see what I could see and, lo and behold! - there he was - that anaconda was wrapped around that snail like he was putting a choke hold on the shell. The snail showed no signs of stressing nor had he been moving any slower than usual, but he was most certainly about to be dinner for that bristleworm! The worm had his head under the shell and had two wraps around the snail's shell. When I shone (weird word, but grammatically correct, I think) the flashlight on him, he moved with lightning speed away from the snail and the snail, gratefully, moved onto other rocks and has been fine ever since.
Bristleworms - reef safe?? I think not - maybe when they are small, but I wouldn't recommend them. I think I'll try my luck with a four-line wrasse. Maybe he can take care of the problem. :thinking:
 
wesa

wesa

Member
When they get that size they are predatory. Get him out of there & don't count on the wrasse or any other critter to tackle him. They might become his next prey while sleeping. I never allow large ones to stay in my tanks nor an abundance of them. Like to keep just enough to do their job. I have a very long pair of tweezers that work great for anything unwanted like that & they get flushed....bye bye mr. nasty.
 
crzyfshygy

crzyfshygy

Member
Coralbanded shrimp will kick your bristle worms a--. I have a six line and he never ate one. However the CB did the job and rid the tank in a few days. There are a few left and those are the clever ones I do not really see.
Just be sure to add cleaner shrimp shrimp first if you want any. The CB will attack if introduced before!
Trust me...the CB will handle it for you!!!
 
nm reef

nm reef

Active Member
As a general rule the majority of bristle worms not only are safe...they can be beneficial. Now....for a truely "anaconda" sized worm.....check this one out. I top of the line hobbyist named Steve Weast found/removed this one......and recently found another. Now this is a beast....but....not typical at all.
 
new2us

new2us

Member
WOW - NM Reef - that is a massive bristleworm!!!! Admittedly, ours has not quite reached that astronomical proportion yet. However, he is much larger than most pics I've seen of the "typical" bristleworm and he is still after the snails, so he must go.
Hey, supalupa, coral bandeds are nice additions to a reef tank. They go around picking stuff out of the rocks and they are really interesting to watch, quite graceful. Our big one eats out of my hand sometimes, but usually he likes to stay hidden.
WELLL, we have coral banded shrimp - not 1, but 2 (yes, they get along fine together)
and neither of them are the least bit interested in taking care of this particular bristleworm. They must be scared! Recently, I caught him trying to attack another snail. Luckily, I caught him in time and the lights took care of his presence so that the snail got away. I have tried to catch this thing, but it is proving to be difficult with all the rock in the tank and trying to sneak up on him before he can flash out of sight. Even as big as he is, he can still move with incredible speed to get away from the tweezers!!!
I swear I can hear him laughing. But, I still want him outta' there, so anybody got an opinion on getting a 4-line wrasse for this problem?
 
dejaco

dejaco

Member
Try this first. Get some red cellophane. Like the cling wrap covers for over bowls of food.
Anyway put it over a flashlight and then the critter shouldn't run away from the red light!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top