Bristle worms

[jon in tx]

Originally Posted by PonieGirl
Overfeeding is definitely one possible cause.
If you have a lot of live rock, they can live in it (nutrient rich, aside from ((or due to)) its filtering benefit) and flourish.
Our tanks are an incredible balancing act.
What size is your tank, how long since the end of the first cycle and what are your test readings?
My tank is 90 gal, set-up for six months with all readings normal. The LFS did talk me into going heavy on the LR (135 lbs).

 

[psusocr1]

i had alot of bristle worms when i just started my reef tank. i was feeding my fish 3-4 times a day and they where evwerywhere for about a month then for the next 3 months i only have fed my fish in my reef tank once a day every day, and i havent sae one since i cut back!

 

[scsinet]

Originally Posted by Jon in Tx
I may be wrong but I was thinking it was a 'formosa' wrasse
Yes, the picture is of a juv. Formosa. Formosa wrasses have poor survival records in captivity. They are hands down my absolute favorite wrasse and one of my absolute favorite fishes, but I wouldn't dare keep one as I know it wouldn't do well, and I can't bear to kill one. It's too bad he died, you would have loved to see him in his adult coloration. Absolutely stunning.
Your account sounds pretty accurate. They just suddenly decline and die after several months.
If it's a reef tank, then you are better off, as Formosa is not a reef safe wrasse.
I'd do what everyone else says here, leave them alone unless they start attacking your livestock. Arrow crabs are wonderful at controlling them, but just as other posters here said, if they wipe out the worm population they'll get hungry and start opportunity feeding. Of course, they won't take down a 15" Naso, but if you have small fish like gobies, blennies, anthias, etc, they will be at risk.

 

[cjml]

Originally Posted by PonieGirl
I feel like such a harpie, but I'm posting anyway.
I have wrasses for the same reason, and they most definitely do control the bristleworms.
I've heard of other effective animals, such as arrow crabs and CB shrimp, but also hear they have been known to prey on fish.
What kind of wrasse did you have, Jon?
Well actually I do not know if my wrasses eat bristles-but I seem to be ok wth the bristles I do see...so maybe they do keep them under control! Love my wrasses!!:happyfish :happyfish