Bristle Worm - WHAT TO DO??

[rinker]

I just found a bristle worm at leat 3 inches long on a rock I have had for 3 months. Two days ago one of my tomatoe clowns was found dead and eaten. All other fish and water parameters are OK. Could it be the bristleworm? Should I pull him out to be safe? Does anyone have any other pics in addition to what's in the hitchhiker page. I want to ensure the identity.

 

[vanquish]

I very much doubt that he killed your fish. It is much more likely that something else killed your fish, and you just caught the worm doing his job (eating dead material in the tank)

 

[coachklm]

he didnt kill your fish...check your perameters and yes always pull large bristleworms out if you can the little ones are great but the larger ones can be a pest to fish and other livestock. escpecially corals sps lps
large can be pests not killers

 

[lradlbeck]

I had a bristleworm that actually attacked my anenome - it didn't last long though the anenome made him dinner!

 

[rinker]

I was able to remove the rock he made a home and put it in my QT tank. I hope I dont kill off all the good life that was on it. I will try to get the worm while it's in the QT tank. Do the traps work or should I stick with a home made trap?

 

[coachklm]

you can try a trap for a couple days in QT... depending on the rock a quick FW dip should get him out and moving.

 

[pfitz44]

Theres really no need to take him out of your tank... just adds to the clean up crew

 

[fishmamma]

If it is the commonly found bristle worm you do not need to remove it, it will only eat stationary decaying material. Like was said above, it may pester corals but will not actually attack anything living. They often come out for food so I am told so if you are worried you could feed the tank a little at night for the scavengers.

 

[vanquish]

I really wouldnt worry about it either. If you really dont like the worm and think it detracts from the tank, try removing it. Otherwise just save yourself the trouble and let it be.