I caught a Bristle Worm!!!!!

garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
I took out a little piece of lr today to put in my cycling 55g, and to my surprise, a bristle worm was resting under it!. I quickly grabbed some tweezers and a cup to grab the nasty little villian. Here is a decent picture. Soon after I flushed him with a smile on my face. It just haunts me to think how many more there are...can't wait for the six line wrasse!
If you notice it has a full belly. Wonder what it has been eating?
 
1journeyman

1journeyman

Active Member
Originally Posted by Garfunkle
...If you notice it has a full belly. Wonder what it has been eating?
Probably detritus.
The vast majority of Bristle worms are excellent detritus feeders. A few (fireworms) can cause a painful irritation to the touch. A tiny few (one species I believe) eats corals.
What do you think it has been eating?
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by 1journeyman
Probably detritus.
The vast majority of Bristle worms are excellent detritus feeders. A few (fireworms) can cause a painful irritation to the touch. A tiny few (one species I believe) eats corals.
What do you think it has been eating?
a dead fish, one of my blue damsels is missing. seriously
 
reefkprz

reefkprz

Active Member
Originally Posted by Eddiesamuil
are these good or bad for your tank?
the species shown is good, its a detritivore eats poop and other waste products, also will eat dead animals.
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
I'd put them back in.
I might...I am just scared of them in my tank. I thought all bristlers had a bad rep.
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by v8eater
If you have a refugium put them in that.
I don't yet. I may wait until I get my six line and give him a house warming gift, if you know what I mean..
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
The Fireworms in your picture are very beneficial.
ok, just dimped them in the tank. thanks guys.
 
K

kalied20

Guest
Not sure if this is a bad or good one, but he was caught eating corals in my 90 gallon. I was rearranging and he came out of a rock.
Very beautiful colors, but had to give him the boot for coral eating.
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by reefkprZ
thats definatly a different species than what G funk has. Bang could probably ID that bugger.
i believe the ones I have do not get very big at all. that one looks 6+ inches, wrasse food.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
That is the "Bearded Fireworm" - Hermodice carunculata.
They can be rather attractive but I strongly urge you to keep your fingers away from it.
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
That is the "Bearded Fireworm" - Hermodice carunculata.
so the one I have is good, but that is bad?
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by Garfunkle
so the one I have is good, but that is bad?
Yes, the Bearded Fireworm is not reef safe. I won't harm Fish but it can eat Soft Corals.
 
garfunkle

garfunkle

Member
Originally Posted by Bang Guy
Yes, the Bearded Fireworm is not reef safe. I won't harm Fish but it can eat Soft Corals.
ok, good. To prove, the ones I have are good, listen to this. I had a blue damsel die in my tank a few days ago. OVER NIGHT, it was gone. I looked all over the tank for it. I assume the worms got it. I find that helpful.
 
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