Bristleworm in the trap

[reef fool]

After posting the pics of bristleworms in my fuge..I then put some flake in to feed my shrimp, crabs ect... and saw this thing that looked like a brittle star leg come out of a rock. I know that I did not put any brittle stars in my tank, so I figured this must be daddy bristleworm!
Five minutes after putting in a bristleworm trap, I had him!! Now what to do with him? Should I throw him in my fuge? He is at least 4" and maybe more!
Here he is...caught !

 

[entice59]

i would keep it in the fuge

 

[j21kickster]

leave em

 

[reef fool]

Originally posted by j21kickster
leave em
Leave him in my display!? Isn't a 4"+ bristleworm harmful to other inhabitants?

 

[j21kickster]

not unless they are dead or decaying

 

[reef fool]

OK, I guess I'll let him go and put away the trap

 

[j21kickster]

good choice

 

[waterwolf]

Destroy him. Marine biologists have confirmed this and I have several resources. Adult bristleworms are bad for a reef tank. People on this board must be getting a kick out of messing with newbies. Helmut Debelius, Hans A. Baensch, Martyn Hayword, Sue Wells, Dr. Burgess... All view adult bristleworms as pests. "With their huge appetites they can cause severe damage to anthozoans", "a number of species can be considered pests in our aquarium" quoted by Hans A. Baensch in his Marine Atlas. "carnivorous scavengers that can kill or damage featherduster worms and some molluscs" Martyn Hayword. These people have far more knowledge than someones personal experience. If you have any doubts get rid of that bristleworm. Yes small bristleworms are beneficial but adults are absolutely not. Is it really worth the risk? If they told you mantis shrimp were good scavengers would you keep them? Or Aiptasia were a good for your reeef? I know I will get beat on for saying this but I cannot let this go on. If this is a joke to mess up peoples tanks its not funny. Get rid of the bristleworm.

 

[j21kickster]

Please- anyone can quote out of a book-Do you even know what an anthozoan is? Some species of worms can be bad- not his, and it is rare to find ones that damage your reef- Do you actualy think we lie to people to mess with them? If anything, you would be the one who is confusing people with honest questions- And if you know someone would argue your statment, then why say it. Hopefully Bang Guy will back me up on this one as will just about everyone on this board who has had and have bristle worms in a thriving reef tank. But that is beside the point- I do not appreciate being accused of lying just to get a kick out of someone if their tank was destroyed(which it wouldnt), especially be someone who knows NOTHING about me. Bristle worms are good- easy as that- also will you tell me when those articles were written because this sounds like the classic outdated knowledge that people still swear by, Just like Undergravel filters- And How many of those authors kept reef tanks and had it terrorized by your killer worms? Just some food for thought

 

[j21kickster]

Also aptasia and mantis shrimp are something i would not advise to be introduced into a reef tank

 

[bdubbya]

I have many large bristle worms(4"-6") that I have seen in my tank. I haven't seen anything to get worried about. I have had no suspicious deaths, and besides my emerald crab is the first to get anything if it happens to die. I think that if you notice an increasing number of them, then it might be a good idea to thin their numbers a bit. They are scavengers so if there is a lack of foods they might start munchin' on some other stuff you might not want them munchin' on. HTH.

 

[waterwolf]

Undergravel filters? Comeon man are you serious? Nobody has used those since 1980. Why would you insult me like that? This site is dedicated to the bristleworm and everyone gets mad at me because I have a different view on that. I may be a newbie on this board but I have been in the reef keeping hobby for over 15 years. It doesn't hurt your system if you don't have any bristleworms. I just wouldn't take any chances. Don't beat me up about it. I enjoy this msg board alot and don't want to be labeled as the bristleworm hater. From now on I will just igonore all bristleworm comments for fear that I would be run off the board.

 

[j21kickster]

About the UGF- that is my point- they are old and outdated but there are stores that still sell them and people who use them over power filters- but eitherway that worm that he has a pic of will not do any harm- and the info on bristle worms wiping out tanks is becoming that way too-

 

[broncofish]

Originally posted by Waterwolf
Undergravel filters? Comeon man are you serious? Nobody has used those since 1980. Why would you insult me like that?
You quoted hayword and wells, that book was published in like 89? They show you step by step how to set up an undergravel SW tank in there book. They also call anemones "a relatively easy species to care for". By the way Sue Wells does not even keep an aquarium besides the ones she has that are flow through at her research labs, she's a Marine Biologist not a hobbyist who does not comment on bristle worms, only Hayword who has not written a book in 10yrs to my knowledge? Keep the woorm reef fool

 

[nm reef]

If bristleworms were a source of problems then the reef system I keep would be in serious trouble! There are probably species that can inflict damage but they are much more rare than the common worm found in our systems. Its been my experience that as a rule bristle worms can be a positive addition to the diversity of a mature/stable environment.
There are also sources that swear hermit crabs are murders and emeralds will chase down and munch any fish it takes a liking to! I've even seen reference to horror stories about the damage caused by pods!
Personally I encourage diversity in the micro fauna of my reef...and I'm convincied that diversity is benefical in maintaining a stable/balanced system.
All members are encouraged to express whatever opinion they desire...and we really should avoid personal attacks for opposing views. Differing opinions are one thing but reckless statements and personal confrontation should be avoided.

 

[reef fool]

Update....the bristleworm is safe and unharmed. Back to the LR where he seems to be thriving by the size of him. Thanks guys, for the quick response. I am not only reassured that I did the right thing, but your quick responses saved a critter that was surely going to be doomed!

 

[phoenixrising]

I have countless bristleworms in ALL my tanks...put many of them in there on purpose! Yep! I bought them and added them specifically just as I have many other types of worms and pods and snails and so forth. I have impossibly huge bristleworms in my reef tank (the oldest and most mature of the tanks) that don't bother anything at all.
I'm glad you returned your worm to your tank where he belongs! Excellent choice! May he breed merrily and give you copious amounts of baby bristleworms!

 

[phoenixrising]

Yeppers! That one was, uhmm, FRIGHTENINGLY LARGE!
Imagine waking up one night for a little looksee in your afterhours reef and finding that MONSTER lurking! God Almighty!

 

[fishfood]

What about ones that are translucent with a neon blue color in the center of the body. They are about an inch and a half long. Just curious. I don't have them but looking at the lfs's live rock they had a bunch of them.

 

[reef fool]

Yeah, that is the one that was in the trap last night. when he wasn't stretched out trying to get the food, he was about 5" long. I saw my CBS near him, but I don't think he has the b@!!$ to mess with that guy!