Bristle Worms...

[pyro]

Sounds like a dumb question... but how can I get some bristle worms in my tank cheaply?
My tank has been setup for about 15 months and haven't seen a single one. I have 45lbs of live rock in a 30g. I had a 6-line for a while, and heard they keep them under control, but he jumped ship about 4 months ago. Still have yet to see one and would like a scavenger other than my hermits and snails.
Any advise?

 

[jerth6932]

Originally Posted by Pyro
Sounds like a dumb question... but how can I get some bristle worms in my tank cheaply?
My tank has been setup for about 15 months and haven't seen a single one. I have 45lbs of live rock in a 30g. I had a 6-line for a while, and heard they keep them under control, but he jumped ship about 4 months ago. Still have yet to see one and would like a scavenger other than my hermits and snails.
Any advise?
Well this is how I get all mine......

.... go to a fish store that doesnt have really got hygene comitments..... and Purchase some LR or a coral with alot of Porous LR and put it in your tank.... if you get the LR only make sure it is allready Cured..... My fish store doesnt care about Hitchikers much... I get astepia from them alot..... which is unforainate.... cause they are the only store I got.... Good slection and prices though!

 

[scriggle]

i would recommend going to as many LFS's and look REALLY close. I've seen babies in the corners of tanks before. big ones probably wont come out unless the tank was just fed. or call around the LFS's, they might help you out and give you one, or i'm sure they will find a way to charge you for them

:hilarious

 

[sufunk]

I agree with Jerth, a few of the lfs here dont keep very clean tanks and stuff sits for a long time in them. If you look close you can see bristles in the rocks peeking out or moving around.

 

[seannmelly]

why would you even want 1? they can do alot more than juss clean your tank expecially when they get bigger. i had 1 about 6-8 inches and it was eating my snails, crabs w/e it could find

 

[ctgretzky9]

Originally Posted by seannmelly
why would you even want 1? they can do alot more than juss clean your tank expecially when they get bigger. i had 1 about 6-8 inches and it was eating my snails, crabs w/e it could find

They are excellent detrivores.
A lfs near me will sell them to you. I'm sure if you ask your lfs, they can find some to sell you!

 

[seannmelly]

well mine ate about everything it seen imo they are no good

 

[ctgretzky9]

Originally Posted by seannmelly
well mine ate about everything it seen imo they are no good

Your snails and crabs were probably already dead, or dying. They do not "attack" living organisms.
I have heard of them munching on some corals, however.

 

[scriggle]

bingo, who would want to take that chance?? whenever mine get big(5-6"+) I tear down the tank to get 'em and see how long they live in a shotglass of water. amazingly the last one made it 3 days!

 

[robpsca]

i thought bristle worms killed corals?

 

[seannmelly]

Yea Exactly

 

[ctgretzky9]

Originally Posted by robPSca
i thought bristle worms killed corals?

Misconception.
They rarely munch on anything, as most tanks have more than enough detrius to keep them fed. Populations are easily controlled by most shrimp (especially coral banded shrimp), or by looking in your tank at night, if you suspect anything.
If you note that any coral has been eaten by a BW, it is easily enough spotted at night, after lights have been off for a little while or so.
Trapping them is simple.
In general, they are a good critter to have in the tank. I know I have dozens and dozens of them, never had a problem.
But everyone has diferent experiences with anything in marine aquariums, so if you dont like them, get them out. If you like them, and you never had any problems, leave them in.

 

[ctgretzky9]

Originally Posted by seannmelly
Yea Exactly

Sorry, that is not the correct answer. It is far and few between that people have had problems with coral munching. Look through the posts, search threads and do some research besides just your own bad experience before you generalize.

 

[seannmelly]

Originally Posted by ctgretzky9
Sorry, that is not the correct answer. It is far and few between that people have had problems with coral munching. Look through the posts, search threads and do some research besides just your own bad experience before you generalize.
I'm not generalizing, I'm giving my opinion on my past experiences.

 

[bsp]

If you wanted to get rid of one how do you trap it? I was told that they bore holes in the live rock and then would destroy it. I only have a 12 gal nano and don't need another thing in it. Any suggestions?

 

[jakebtc]

pyro u sure u dont have n e look at night if there are none " u see " put a tad of food in and watch em come to life i'll bet

 

[nm reef]

Originally Posted by Pyro
Sounds like a dumb question... but how can I get some bristle worms in my tank cheaply?
My tank has been setup for about 15 months and haven't seen a single one. I have 45lbs of live rock in a 30g. I had a 6-line for a while, and heard they keep them under control, but he jumped ship about 4 months ago. Still have yet to see one and would like a scavenger other than my hermits and snails.
Any advise?
A very good source is cured LR.....most LR I've ever seen has worms and in time they will propagate and spread. Another good means of getting some is to request a few lbs of the grunge/crud/gunk from the bottom of tanks used to cure LR....it is normally full of micro infauna and may provide bristle worms as well as copepods.
In regard to bristle worms being a problem...I don't buy into that ... they can be a very beneficial addition and I encourage them in my reef...they can be a very positive part of the system and it is rare theat they become problematic.

 

[mrmaroon]

I have them in my tank. I have only seen two big ones so far. They have not hurt anything and are cool to see at night. They are extremely fast. Any virbration sends them scurrying.

 

[leafer]

You can have some of mine...I'm going to hide while I say this...I have CC in my 15 gal :scared: ...Every 2 weeks when I clean it...I suck up anywhere between 10 and 20 worms of all sizes...biggest one I've sucked up is about 1 1/2"...