butterfly in reef?

[rdreef]

I recently added a longnose butterfly to my reef tank. I did this to help eliminate the many bristle worms that are out of control. I know the butterfly fish are not reef safe but did not know what else I should do. Any advice about bristleworms would be appreciated.

 

[spartan78]

bristle worms are actually beneficial. you can cut back on feedings if you still dont like them though. also butterflys like to eat feather dusters.

 

[fishieness]

yeah. just let them be. almost all bristleworms at detritovors. They jsut eat garbage that is left behind. some will eat corals, but only when they get absolutly huge. im assuming you jsut have the little ones yes? most likely they are good and without them, your levels could go astray. but jsut lowering your nutrient levels will be good for geting rid of them, and depending on how much you have now, for your tank too

 

[fishfatty]

hey rdreef....how long have you had the butterfly? how big is he? do you have softies/lps/sps? Does he bother them? ive been looking at a longnose too and i have been iffy about it...?

 

[rdreef]

I've only had him for a day and so far has not bothered anything in my tank, including the feather duster. He is fairly large, bigger than I would have liked. My tank is only 50 but well established.

 

[fishfatty]

do you think my 75 reef would be good with one?