Are these bristleworms?

hermitkrab

hermitkrab

Member
Alright in my fuge I have these red and black worms. A little under half of their body is red and the other half is black. They have white bristles in bunches like a tiny little toothbrush every so often on their sides evenly. They range in sizes under an inch to almost three inches. I would like to get rid of these ugly worms. I know Arrow Crabs eat bristleworms but I am not 100% these are bristleworms. But even if they are my fuge is about 20" long, 4" wide, and 12" tall. Would that be big enough for an Arrow Crab especially when it is full of plants. And is an Arrow Crab even fuge safe? What are some other options? Will Flatworm Exit kill my bristleworms along with my flatworms?
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Why would you want to get rid of them? They sound approximately like bristleworms, which are a pretty diverse group. IMO, you don't want something like an arrow crab in a refugium. A predator like that sorta defeats the purpose of a refugium (it is often a place to put another sand bed, and allow critters to grow there).
Not sure on the flatworm exit stuff though....
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Flatworm exit won't harm Bristleworms. If you do manage to remove the worms what animal are you going to get to replace them?
 
hermitkrab

hermitkrab

Member
I know bristle worms are good but they can also get big can't they? I heard some can get over a foot long. I know in main tank filtration and other scavengers keep them lower in population and size but in a fuge what is in there to stop them? I just don't want bristle worms as long as my arm in my fuge. But since we are pn the fuge topic what are some good cleaners to add into a fuge? I have 1 turbo in there, 15 nassarius vibex and other hitch hikers like bristle worms, feather dusters, astrea (sp.?) starsfish, pods, etc. Oh and I have this weird thing in there too... I'll post a pic below.
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
I really don't think it is extremely common to get them that size - I've never seen one personally - but just getting that size does not imply that they are bad to have.
 
hermitkrab

hermitkrab

Member
It is green and is on the green root of my caulerpa. It has 12 leges with 6 on each side and has a pair of anntena on its head. I have three pics of it in motion I suppose I will post all three. Here is pic #1...
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
Maybe some sort of isopod that is camoflaged to live on caulerpa and such. I'll leave it to Bang Guy though, or someone else who might no more :)
 
trainfever

trainfever

Active Member
I just found a bristle worm in my refugium. I got really excited when I saw it. It is only about 3/8 of an inch long. I have read on here that they are good but just what exactly are they good for?
 
ophiura

ophiura

Active Member
They are excellent scavengers, part of a healthy sand bed and tank ecosystem :yes: Definitely a good addition to the "clean up crew."
 
trainfever

trainfever

Active Member
I just took all of the sand out of my fuge and replaced it with mineral mud. Will this still be Ok with the bristleworm?
 
monalisa

monalisa

Active Member
My tank has had bristleworms since it cycled. I have one in there that is about 3-4" long. I haven't seen that one out and about for a while, but I have seen it's trail in the sand. I did see a tiny one that was maybe about 1" yesterday, and at times many little ones poking their heads out of the rock. I was happy to find out that they were beneficial. :jumping: Anything to benefit my tank, I'm all for!!
Lisa :happyfish
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
I can't see the animal clearly enough. I agree with Ophiura that it's probably some type of Isopod.
As far as large Bristleworms, I believe they are an important part of the cleanup crew. I keep large worms in by fry grow-out tanks because they are very good at cleaning up excess food and detritus.
This one is a lot longer than a foot.
 
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