Help...

[traebuck]

I have something that resembles a caterpillar in my tank.. not very big but not sure if I should allow them to stay or catch them and flush??? please let me know Thanks!

 

[snakeblitz33]

pic?
look up bristle worms and fireworms.

 

[traebuck]

This is a pic>>> is it safe?

 

[snakeblitz33]

looks like a fireworm... Harmless unless you touch it. watch your tank and make sure that it isn't eating anything beneficial or precious to you. I have had fireworms in my 20g tank for a while and I never knew it. lol
First link here if you want to know more info...
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&tbo=d&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&q=http:%2F%2Fwww.reefkeeping.com%2Fissues%2F2003-04%2Frs%2Findex.php&oq=http:%2F%2Fwww.reefkeeping.com%2Fissues%2F2003-04%2Frs%2Findex.php&gs_l=hp.3...2145.2145.0.2742.1.1.0.0.0.0.113.113.0j1.1.0.les%3B..0.0...1c.1.9pZT48Dkmmg&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=946618dc30a8941&bpcl=37643589&biw=1280&bih=899

 

[traebuck]

Will check it out ! Thank you! I dont know how long they have been there but think there are several..one is fairly big.. may try to catch it next time and get it out of there. I did get rid or one last week..

 

[snakeblitz33]

Typically when you see one, there are several...
I killed the one that I found.

 

[traebuck]

I killed several the other night.. yuk! Thought maybe could get something that would eat them?

 

[snakeblitz33]

Umm, sixline wrasses have been known to eat bristleworms... same thing with purple pseudochromis. Although, they are both semi-aggressive fish... Depends on what you already have in the tank.
I don't think there is a fish out there that will eat a fireworm, though. But, I'm not that great with fish - so hopefully someone else will speak up.