Bristle worm species ID

[reeferdude]

I have about 100 or so bristle worms that I have been collecting from my reef tanks in a 2.5 gallon tank. They are all the same species but I don't know which one. I am pretty sure they arent the coral eating varity but I just want to make sure. They are half red and half purpleish, some have more red and some have more purple. Please help!

 

[dad]

I have never heard of a coral eating bristle worm?
I could be wrong though?

 

[thomas712]

I have read of cases where they have gone after clams, but most have figured that the clam was injured or dieing.
Mostly the worms you need to watch out for are:
Flukes
Anchor worms
Threadworms
Leeches
Thorny headed worms
Flatworms
I'm sure Bang man can add or subtracte from my list.
Not sure of the species that RD is speaking about, red and purple?
Thomas

 

[crazyreefnut]

take a plastic bottle (empty coke) cut the end off of both sides and place a bit of food inside and cover with a stocking in the am remove you will probably have plenty. This works fine but they are not harmful to your reef just to your hands.

 

[bang guy]

There are a few species of Coral eating Bristleworms. Odds are in your favor that you don't have any.
The animal you are describing resembles Polychaeta: Amphinomidae. Try a search on Amphinomidae if you would like more information.

 

[reeferdude]

I know they are great for reef tanks and I also know they reproduce about every 5 min or so. That is why I am "harvesting" them from my tanks.

 

[bang guy]

I will caution against over harvesting. They only reproduce well with an abundance of food. If you harvest too many the "food" will not be consumed and this will cause seemingly unrelated problems. ie. Cyanobacter, hair algae, high nitrate levels, Dinoflagilates, etc.
Nothing wrong with removing a few every now & then but the bst way to control their population is to not overfeed.

 

[reeferdude]

Im not doing population control, I sell them to local reefers to get their tank's established. Do they eat hair algae?

 

[bang guy]

I don't know of any that eat hair Algae. With over 10,000 species there might be a few that do though.

 

[bang guy]

LOL I just thought about what you're doing... It a new form of nutrient export